On To the South Island: Wellington to Mt. Sunday-December 13-14, 2014

December 31, 2014 • 2014, Christchurch, kelsnzadventure2014, Mt. Sunday, south island, travel

Several times over the first week of the New Zealand trip, people mentioned how beautiful the South Island was compared to the North Island. "Just wait," they would say, "till you get to the South Island." I was skeptical, because I'd found the North...

December 23, 2014 • 2014, kelsnzadventure2014, North Island, travel, wellington

And now we come to it. Four days of total immersion into the LOTR and Hobbit films. After a long Tuesday of travel that included stopping at Gollum's pool, we arrived in Wellington and checked into the Amora Hotel, near the waterfront. I'm putting all...

December 21, 2014 • 2014, kelsnzadventure2014, movie locations, North Island

In New Zealand time, it's still December 8. In one day, we followed Frodo from his home in Bag End all the way to the entrance to Mordor and Mt. Doom....

December 18, 2014 • 2014, kelsnzadventure2014

On Monday December 8, we started the journey of Sam and Frodo from LOTR and traveled from Hobbiton to the toxic slopes of Mt. Doom. Here's my report of the former. For the Lord of the Rings films, Hobbiton was built as an extensive set on a picturesque...

December 13, 2014 • 2014, kelsnzadventure2014, North Island, sunday, travel

Goodness, what a whirlwind. One thing about being on an organized tour is that your time is often not really your own. We did have some free time in Wellington, and that's when I wrote my last post, and tonight we have the evening, but have to get...

December 9, 2014 • friends, kelsnzadventure2014, redcarpettours, travel

Here in the travel world of New Zealand, internet access is doled out 30 minutes at a time. I've been posting photos via my NZ burner sim card, and it has been so much fun to share these adventures with my friends. I love you all! I am journalling and...

November 26, 2014 • 2014, book reviews

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline Young Adult (FYI if you're going to share this with a young person--there is some strong language from Molly. It fits her character, but you may want to discuss it with your friend/student/child in accordance with...

November 16, 2014 • I'm a Mormon, missionary work, social media

There's a song the children sing at church: I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know who I am. I know God's plan. I'll follow him in Faith. I believe in the Savior Jesus Christ. I'll...

November 14, 2014 • 2014, catch-up posts, family, tennessee, travel, video production

I had a great week at my sister's house. I meant to post as soon as I got home so I wouldn't get behind YET again, but you know how that goes sometimes. I'm making a stab now at least. I am slow doing a lot of things because I can't do it the way I think...

November 4, 2014 • family, tennessee, travel

Even though the last three posts were book reviews, I'm still writing here about everything. Well almost everything. I am trying to catch up on recording books I've read, though. I have a tendency to forget details or even that I've read a book, so it's...

November 2, 2014 • 2014, book reviews, happiness, non-fiction

The Happiness Project Author: Gretchen Rubin Genres: Non-Fiction, Self-Help, Lifestyle, Happiness Research I listened to the audiobook read by the author. You might like this book if you like self-help books, authors on quests, bloggers who write books,...

November 1, 2014 • 2014, book reviews

Author: Ian DoescherGenre: Fantasy ReimaginedFor: All ages who will take the time to understand Shakespeare-like language.You might like these books if you loved the original Star Wars trilogy AND love Shakespeare, if you think there is room in...

October 27, 2014 • 2014, book reviews

The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or On the Segregation of the Queen by Laurie R. King Audible audiobook read by Jenny Sterlin Adult, Mystery You might like this book if you are a fan of the Sherlock Holmes oeuvre, like mysteries, or enjoy stories that provide...

October 21, 2014 • 2014, eduknit, friends, knitting, personal growth, stitches expos, travel

It's Tuesday again. Time is flying right now, actually flying. I did go to Hartford, Connecticut and teach at Stitches East during the 2nd week of October. This show marked 9 years since I started teaching at these venues and became a national teacher,...

October 7, 2014 • 2014, autumn, thinking out loud, writing

Over at Bollman Bridge a few days ago. So far, it's been a lovely transition to the Autumnal times of the year. Blue skies, changing leaves, mild-to-chilly temperatures and all that jazz. ...

October 3, 2014 • 2014, adult, book reviews, fiction, georgette heyer, romance

The Quiet Gentleman by Georgette Heyer Fiction, Romance, Mystery, Adult You might like this book if you're a fan of Georgette Heyer, the Regency era, or fun romances that are clean and clever instead of steamy. I listened to the audiobook from Audible,...

September 30, 2014 • balance, choosing optimism, friends, thinking out loud

Yesterday, my sister broke her leg. Again. The same leg as she broke just a little while ago. The femur this time. She uses a wheelchair, which means her legs never bear weight, thus her bones are brittle. No amount of calcium supplements will solve...

September 7, 2014 • 2014, daily photos, family, kids, skies, Utah

It's been a great, intense, interesting, joyful, slightly crazy week. I have lots of words spilling out of my brain, but no time to edit them right now. Thus, I'm going to let the photos do the talking. Sunrise over the Wasatch Front as seen...

September 3, 2014 • Evan, friends, grandmothering, Jeff and Ashlyn, Johnathan, kids, Sam, travel

And now it's September. I'm in Provo, Utah, enjoying views of mountains and the sights and sounds of a 9-month old that I love. I'm watching smart, capable men take care of their loved ones and earn money and start another year of school. I'm...

August 10, 2014 • Barbara Kingsolver, book reviews, climate change

Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver Fiction, adult You might like this book if you're a fan of Kingsolver's work, you are interested in stories involving climate change, or stories where women seek to change their lives. I listened to the audiobook...

August 1, 2014 • busy, empty nest, Evan, garden

Is it really August? I'm not ready yet. I worked a lot in July, and apparently was so busy that I forgot to notice the time passing. The nice thing was that most of it was self-employed tasks that I could do whenever I wanted. ...

July 28, 2014 • 2014, balance, social media

I've been thinking a lot lately about how I use social media. I've made some changes on Facebook, and so far, I'm pleased with the results. This isn't a judgement of how you use social media, and I'm not trying to send any hidden messages...

July 27, 2014 • 2014, audible, book reviews

Global Mom, by Melissa Dalton-Bradford Genre: Memoir Audible Audiobook Narrated by the author You might like this books if you like books on mothering, travel, life in other countries, or memoirs involving family life. I listened to the audiobook...

July 15, 2014 • 2014, byu, Evan, friends, garden, onward

Can't you just about taste them? Yesterday morning, just as the heat of the day was really rising, but before it was unbearable, my friend and I slowly made our way down her stunning rows of berry bushes, picking and talking, and then she gave all...

July 10, 2014 • 2014, book reviews, fiction, John Green, YA

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green Young Adult Fiction I listened to the audiobook narrated by Kate Rudd You might like this book if you enjoy quirky romances, stories about teens in uncommon situations, or stories that engage the emotions as well...

July 6, 2014 • 2014, audible, book reviews, RJ Palacio

Wonder by RJ Palacio Grades 3-7 I listened to the audiobook narrated by Diana Steele, Nick Podehl, Kate Rudd. You might like this book if you enjoy stories about underdogs, people who must overcome challenges, or stories about dealing with disabilities. My...

July 5, 2014 • aging, choosing optimism, church activities, girls camp, health, weight, young women

Disclaimer: This post will quite possibly read as self-centered and shallow. I know we all have problems, and I'm not writing about big ones here, but they matter to me. Feel free to skip it, but it's what I'm thinking about. It's inevitable as we age...

June 30, 2014 • choosing optimism, family, stress

The situation that prompted my last post (and thank you so much for all the kind words and positive responses) has eased up somewhat. It all had to do with the big Eagle Scout award and the fact that there was no evidence for the kid having completed...

June 27, 2014 • choosing optimism, empty nest, motherhood, remembering, thinking out loud

Tonight, on the very brink of empty-nesting, standing so near the finish line of this stage of my Tour-de Life, there was one of those situations that makes my whole experience as a mother flash before my eyes with a big red Failure stamped over...

June 19, 2014 • 2014, book reviews, fantasy, YA

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor I listened to the Audiobook read by Khristine Hvam YA Fantasy. You might like this book if you like emotion-filled romances and stories about the search for the self. This was a great listen. Beautiful language...

June 15, 2014 • 2014, daily photos, June, life, May, photjournaling

Here are some recent photos from my phone, compiled here as journaling. May 9: Trip to the park with Corinne and the twinks. May 11, Mother's Day, 2014: hangout with Eric, Evan and I at home, Sister Nuss in Brasil and Jeff, Ashlyn,...

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