You never know who will turn up to FHE.

Fashion Show--Family Home Evening Activity

For the activity part of FHE we had a contest between four groups for the best outfits out of garbage bags.  They are pretty clever.  They walked down the runway and  posed in front of the judges (Jay and I) so we could get a really good look before we made our final decision.  This was the winner.

Spring in the Yorkshire Dales

If I had a good camera, and knew how to use it, I'd be out taking pictures by the hundreds.  I love all this beautiful color in the trees and flowers.  Oh but....I'm on a mission.  I better control myself.

Here's to James Herriott!

Years ago we started watching the BBC series  All Creatures Great and Small.  It became a weekly ritual that we looked forward to with anticipation.  With fond feelings for the author (pen name James Herriott) we set out for Thirsk,  the village where he lived and had his vet practice in the Yorkshire Dales.  Because of their love for Herriott, the people of Thirsk purchased his home after his death and now have a museum.  (They also filmed the BBC production on site here.)  We were told his son still practices veterinary medicine in the area.

The Surgery & barn at James Herriott's home

Where do pigs get their personality from?

For the Grandkids

Temple Newsam has a collection of rare breeds of farm animals.  How do you like the bare-necked chicken?  Not as pretty as the chickens we have at home.  The Hereford breed of cattle is now considered rare.

Temple Newsam

We spent Saturday afternoon with Elder and Sister Weston at Temple Newsam, an historic house built in the 1600s with a marvelous art collection, and a Capability Brown landscape.

(1500 acres of landscape) Lord Darnley, husband of Mary, Queen of Scots, lived here for a period of time. It was a warm day with lots of sunshine, so the massive lawns were full of families having picnics and visiting the farm. I'll post pictures of some of the rare farm animals they have in their collection.

Mornings for Missionaries

Hall Park

This park gets prettier every day now as blossoms come out and flowers begin to bloom.  It's a great place to walk (for me and dad)  and jog (dad).

More Yorkshire Dales

Since the Institute has been closed for Spring Break, we have gotten to see more beautiful country.  On our way home from Haworth we stopped at Chevin Forrest and climbed part way up the hills to get this view of the Dales.  It is a spectacular sight.  It only takes about 10 minutes to be out of the city and into farm land.

Bronte Parsonage Museum and Cemetary

One of my favorite books of all time is Jane Eyre. My mother showed it to me when I was still a girl living at home. Now, Wuthering Heights, on the other hand was a little disturbing. Only because I always want things to end happily and they just never did in this book. (Poor Heathcliff) I have only seen Tenet of Whitefell Hall on BBC. The Brontes were beyond talented. Just think what they might have produced had they lived longer. All of the Bronte children proceeded their father in death. His wife died in her 30s, followed by two young daughters who had gone away to school. It was common in Haworth for four or five families to share a privy, and for the waste to run down the street in open ditches contaminating water supplies. In spite of it all, Charlotte writes, "My home is humble and unattractive to strangers but to me it contains what I shall find nowhere else in the world - the profound, and intense affection which brothers and sisters feel for each other when their minds are cast in the same mould...." (spelling as she wrote it)

HAWORTH, Home of the Brontes

Beautiful stained glass windows from the church where Charlotte's and Emily's father served as curate.  There is a parsonage behind the church where the family lived and where the three daughters, Charlotte, Emily, and Ann wrote.  They are known throughout the world as the #1 literary family.  The second pictures looks down the cobblestone street of their little village.

My Thrift Store Find

Van Gogh for 4 pounds.  With every wall bare, I've been looking in thrift stores for something to brighten things up.  I found this little print a few days ago and will keep looking for a few others.  

Newest YSA Member

Tom (in the white shirt) was baptized Friday night by one of our YSAs in the Warfe Valley ward.  We drove up for the baptism and extended an invitation to come into the Institute for classes and activities.  We were glad to get to meet Cam Isles (in the suit) since we've seen his name on our lists but have never seen him in the Center.  The Bishop was from Scotland and had a heavy brogue.  I love listening to the different accents.

Game Night with the YSAs in Leeds 2

Charlotte Reese (far left) from Seattle is doing a Masters program in music. She also directs our Institute Choir.

Hannah Facey is in the middle, she is the daughter of our Stake Relief Society President, and Charlene Kendall is the daughter of the Bishop in Leeds 2.

They had 11 YSAs attend, which is really good for that ward. 

More of the Temple

The leaves on those perfectly shaped trees are not out yet,  but they look neat just like they are.

Preston Temple

We were able to go down to Preston yesterday to attend the temple.  It takes about an hour and a half to get there even though it's only about 55 or 60 miles.  The woodwork and decor on the inside is absolutely gorgeous.

The British MTC is located on the same propery and also a Beehive Clothing Center and Family History Library.

Daffodils Everywhere