Our family getaway to Utah was very special. It was good to see nieces and nephews we rarely get to visit and to catch up on laughs with some of my husband's sibs.
We'd never been to his sister's newer home, and it was a beautiful place to stay, full of original artwork that was right up my alley.
I never got tired of walking through the house and admiring the paintings. Especially the fairy themed ones.
They also had family portraits that were so beautiful, they held as much magic as the sprite and fey paintings did.
Even the pets were represented in oil. What a dreamy place! The artist of many of these works is Lynn Lupettii and I have to say, I'm quite a fan.
But the magic wasn't all just paint, we muggles spent some time visiting Hogwarts too.
Quite a few of the group headed to the theater about 5 am on Thursday to watch a Harry Potter marathon that ended with the midnight showing of the latest flick.
Due to flight delays, I didn't get to join them quite that early, but I made it for movie #4 and was surprised at how fast 3 am came and it was all over with. We had blankets, a ton of snacks and food and drinks, and it was such fun to be part of the large crowd saying a fond farewell to Harry. The very last movie was just as moving to me as the book was. I sobbed again just like when I read the happy ending to the series. Even knowing what was coming up, I still cried like a baby when**************************.(sorry, don't want to mess up the end for you, but I can't quite believe there are Harry fans who haven't read the book yet!!)
Its one of the best series endings I've ever read. Heck, I have tears in my eyes now just thinking about it.
But the real, honest magic of the trip, was Utah itself. Everywhere we went, there was beauty. And not much is more beautiful than Thanksgiving Point.
Its kind of a botanical gardens, but it is very user-friendly and almost like taking the kids to the park for the day. A very special park!
(this photo of Grandma Joan is NOT doctored up, the colors were that vibrant there!!!)
Kids are allowed to run and play, and even to roll down the big hill. The grass was a thick, cushion of plush green, nothing like around my house. Better than any golf course I have seen too. Plus NO CHIGGERS! Its been years since I have sat down in the grass out of chigger fear. I was so drawn to this lawn that I even tried rolling down the hill with the little girls.
Since I weigh quite a bit more than the kids, I took off rolling a bit harder and faster than they did, and after about 2 turns, was dizzy and ready to stop. But gravity had other plans for me, and it felt like an hour on a roller coaster later when I finally stopped, although it was probably only a few feet. It made me so dizzy that I even feel slightly nauseous looking at this photo, although the picture doesn't really capture just how steep it really was.
This park reminded me of Disney-world with no rides. It was over the top, and the detail was amazing.
The whole weekend, I kept seeing things Sugarwings would have loved, and I missed her terribly. I knew she'd have had a good time with her 2nd cousins.
And this park was a perfect setting to play fairy. She'd have been deep into her imaginary world if she'd been there.
I can just picture her having a conversation with this dragon. Its the base of my sis-in-law's mailbox! Her home is filled with dragons and fairies and gnomes.
The back yard was two levels, with a curving downhill path following a series of waterfalls.
The pool at the base of the falls was lit up and misty. Of course, Sugarwings is what we politely call a "hands on" child. It would have been an non-stop challenge to keep her out of the waterfalls.
But I was pretty content to sit out there to enjoy the veiw adn the sound of trickling water. In Utah, we had zero humidity, and could open our windows at night and listen to the creek as we slept. Not like the 110 degree heat index we have today in Kansas.
That fountain alone would have been worth the trip! I had to change from the upstairs deck to the downstairs porch back and forth, I couldn't make up my mind which had the best view.
Still, the very best part was getting to spend time with my husband's sweet family. What nice, generous people they are. It was a lovely trip.
I know how lucky I am to have a husband I love so much, but I'm also lucky that he has a family that I love too.
Next post, I'll announce another winner of my online dress form tutorial. If you have already purchased one of the $15 classes, (thank you!!), then I'll send you a kit of vintage goodies instead if I draw your name.
Leave a comment if you want to be entered, you still have a couple of days to enter while I am waist deep in Bird song swap tags!
I think wherever you go, good times follow! You are a busy little muggle my dear! Glad you had so much fun, Marilyn
Wow Karla – looks like you had the time of your life in Utah!
The park looks like a wonderland with adventure beckoning at every turn.
I want to roll down the grassy hill with my dolly!!!!
Great photos!!
Shane :))
ps Those paintings are amazing!
Karla, This was fascinating. I love looking in other people’s houses!!! Your family looks so nice and fanciful and I sure see the resemblance. I had my brothers here last week and we all went to Harry Potter. Katie and I sobbed. Jud, Mike, Lilah and John…well, no! It was fabulous. It is so hot here and we have had rains that filled our basement today. UGH. Tomorow we are going to Rapid City and the temp. there is 103. We were expecting a break!
Yes, Sugarwings would have loved this!
Hugs,
Suz
Love the little dragon statue! Too much fun!
What beautiful images!! You’re so lucky to be able to spend quality time with family. I’m sure your memories are priceless!
xox
Karen
Karla, the thing I love about the West is the nice dry weather during the summer. I couldn’t handle humidity and bugs. I don’t know how you do it.
Your sister-in-laws yard is beautiful! Sugarwings would have certainly kept you on your toes.
~elaine~
NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! You have spoiled the ending of Harry Potter for me. No point in going to see it now that I know what happens!!!! AAAAGGGGHHHH. Please delete what you wrote (above) about where you cried in the last movie. I am not going to say what you said in case there are people who have yet to 1) read your comment and 2) see the movie.
Sookin’ here.
Hugs, Jasmine in Oz.
Sorry, I couldnt imagine that there were any fans left who hadnt read the books!
Sent from my iPad
I can’t believe you were here in Utah! How fun it would have been to bump into you, my sister lives in Lehi and we love Thanksgiving point. So glad you had such a great trip!
Hey Karla, this post is so great and I am so glad Aryn and I were able to spend some quality time with you! It was really great getting to know you, and fun watching you roll down the hill with the girls 😉
I’m going to stalk your blog now~!
Feel free to come visit ours 🙂
Many loves!!!
Alyse
Oh, it looks like you had a wonderful time with your family. Those colors were amazing! I do admit to loving the whole zero humidity living we have here in the wild west! I can’t wait to see photos of your mountains of Birdsong tags.
Beautiful! Sounds like you had an enchanting time!
Those are awesome pictures. The house looks like a beautiful museum. Thanksgiving Island is gorgeous! Utah is a beautiful place. Thank you for sharing those. Looked a wonderland. Love to see the bird song swap tags. all just lovely.
Hi Karla – I am glad you loved Utah. As one of your blog readers (3 yrs+), customers and fans who lives here in the beautiful Salt Lake Valley, I so enjoyed reading your post and nodding…. yep, gotta love Thanksgiving Point. I have dozens of their tulip bulbs (which they sell off every year) to plant this fall. Zero humidity? Yeppers – I love the warm and dry weather. I live near a creek and a large wild area (farm), so I relate to the lovely, calm sounds. And today our skies were crystal blue, just like in your pictures. Next time you come, bring Sugarwings. Maybe we can meet up for some fun shopping and I`ll bring my DGD along for for a playmate. Hugs, Cathy K
Looks like you had a wonderful time! Loved the pictures of the garden, beautiful.
Okay…Now I’m dying to go to Utah! The way you describe it, makes it sound so amazing! To be able to open your windows during the summer….well I can’t even imagine it! Very different from Texas for sure!
How do they get that “misty” effect in their pond? I would love to do that with ours! P.S. Really love reading your blog…. Lynne, Calgary, Canada