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What's been keeping me busy

I've already mentioned that I celebrated Michele's birthday with her last week, but because I like her so much and she's so cute, especially here in front of the fabulous pastries at La Madeleine, that's one thing I've been up lately instead of blogging, partying with my sweet friend. One day, I took a tour of Carol's new house, she's a former mission companion who lives here in Austin. Her new house has some very non-traditional features in it, such as a high school sized gymnasium, an elevator, about three kitchens, a movie theater with reclining leather seats, a massive chandelier, pictured here, and a Sistine Chapel style of painting on the entryway ceiling, and hand-made mosaic in the master bath, to name a few.
Click on the photo if you'd like to get a closer look. It's huge and took a long while for the tour, and I was practically out of breath by the end. I would love to watch a football game in her home theater. They hosted a zone conference activity for the LDS missionaries at their house not too long ago.
Speaking of zone conferences, our ward was assigned to feed the missionaries for a zone conference lunch a couple weeks ago and I was in charge of it. There were about 75 of them, including the mission president and his wife, Chuck Cutler, a former BYU football star. His wife and he were just the cutest couple and they loved the food, and she asked me to email the recipe for the pie to her. We served the Pumpkin Chocolate Cheesecake Pie recipe that I discovered on the cover of Better Homes and Gardens magazine last month, and a hearty beef stew, and Buttery Parmesan Rolls. It went really well and we fed them fast. At the end of the event, they sang a cute little thank you song to us, so here's a picture of them as they are singing.
Here's a shot of our tree this year. I finally got it finished last night and it's too tall to get the full view of to show the details, but here's a glimpse of my tree. I love getting the ornaments out.
One other thing that I'm excited about is that I was just called to be the 1st counselor in the stake Relief Society presidency, with Lorraine D. as the new president. Her husband was the stake president for more than nine years until last month. I'm looking forward to that, and feel a bit overwhelmed that I am not quite ready for the job, but I'll keep preparing myself every day to serve in this new job. Sorry I haven't been updating my blog very much. Another distraction has been Facebook. I like the blog so much better, but Facebook has it's advantages. Happy December, everyone!

Comments

Lisa said…
Nice job on finishing up the tree - it turned out fabulous!
Heidi said…
Good luck in your new calling- you will do great!
Jess said…
you are going to do an excellent job in your calling!!

Love ya! :)
sayfuzzypickles said…
I love those handmade green snowflakes. Pretty!
Lonna said…
Wow you have been busy, I am glad that you are excited for your new calling, I think that I would be more than a little overwhelmed, but then why on earth would someone ever call me to that. They wouldn't.

I love your tree, my favorite decorations are the snow white words sayings like Joy. Not only is your tree decorated, but there are presents under it too, you have been hard at work. I am a wrapping paper kind of person and I really think that December 25 one is cute. Thanks for showing some of your holiday decor. I just love it.
Cassie said…
That house looks amazing! My cousin is in that picture of the missionaries!! He is the tall dark one that has some stripes in his tie, standing next the older couple in the front! Kinda funny! His name is Elder Brooks.
Kelly said…
That's cool, Cassie! I remember him. I wonder if he liked lunch.
Bobbi said…
Congratulations, you will do a great job. What a house your friend has--so fun to get some glimpses!
Holly said…
What a beautiful tree! You've been busy with some fun stuff! Good luck on your new calling- you'll do awesome as always and I know Sue will really miss you.
Wow, I love your tree...I think I will have to take decorating tips from you! Thanks for the blog address!
Amanda said…
Great tree! Also, congrats on the new calling, being in the RS presidency is SO fun! I know the Stake leaders have been a life saver for me many times, and I know you will be fabulous.
Conni said…
Kelly, you are perfect for this calling. I loved watching how you made everyone feel involved and special in our RS. You will do great!
BTW, the tree looks fabulous!
Gabrielle said…
Wow, your friend's house is something else, huh? Talk about how the other 0.01% live! :-)
Your tree is so pretty.
Tamara said…
Beautiful pics as usual! Glad to see you guys are doing well-

If we don't cross paths before, Merry Christmas!
~ Tina said…
OMG!
I asked my mom to make that same pie recipe for Thanksgiving - it looked so good on that BH&G cover. Delicious!
Hildie said…
I need to see more pictures of the house!

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