Sunday, December 19, 2010

2010 Christmas letter


The close of 2010, a time to reflect and wonder where the year went. It’s been an amazing year, full of family, friends, trips, church,work and change.  There were visits to many family members and friends, a consistent increasing workload at the federal court, and many opportunities to meet new people as time was spent in church callings.  A highlight of the year was my first European trip. Three great friends and I traveled to the Italian city of canals, the singing hills of Austria, Germany, Hungary and Czech Republic, making stops in 8 cities in 16 days. So Great!! A stop in Klagenfurt, Austria allowed us time to visit Aunt Kelly and Uncle Martin, and a stop in Vienna meant time with Marie and an introduction to Egbert, Marie’s husband. After a year of planning, it was amazing to actually see such old historical buildings, sites and the richness of culture and food and experience being yelled at in German by the train conductor, everybody’s wish right?! It was the best trip with great friends and so many memories. More memories of mine can be found and browsed on lisasruminations.blogspot.com.
As the year brought a new niece and a new nephew, and the passing of family and friends, my thoughts turned often to our Savior and his atonement. The many changes and trials that occur in our lives, while hard, do bring times of growth and hopefully a turn of our hearts to the One who knows how to succor us. I am grateful for the lessons learned over the past year and wish all of you a Merry Christmas and wish you a wonderful 2011!

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Wien

I apparently can't blog fast enough! It's December and I'm still trying to get my trip written about. Sorry for those of you who read this and either wanted it or don't, but it's become a way for me to document my trip and not have to rejournal entry it.

We arrived in Vienna in the afternoon on September 10th(I remember this because we left the same day of my brother's birthday and Marie and I did a video for him, which I just remembered I haven't ever posted:) Marie and Egbert met us at the train station and helped us figure out where our hotel was. Once we dropped off our luggage, we went back out on the town. Marie and Egbert showed us around, where we saw Stephansdom (which was under construction, but according to Marie and Egbert, it always is).


The church has beautiful gargoyles and the tiles were colorful. I can't say it enough.  I loved walking around the cities, where streets for walking were the norm in the center of the city.


We found a few shops near Stephansdom (which means some people found nativity sets!) and then we were on our way to the Vienna Opera, where we saw Mozart's the Magic Flute!! We got really cheap tickets, which get you standing room. Marie taught us that you take your scarf and wrap it around the banister to save your place and then you walk all around the operahouse and see the sights!




Tasha and I stayed for the whole opera, but across the house was the hotel where you can get the world famous Sacher tort.




They enjoyed that and were so kind to bring Tasha and I back a slice. It was pretty good! And helped us have wonderful dreams as we slept after our full day in Vienna.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Great Site

I found this site on my cousins blog and after browsing decided I LOVE IT!! I've been trying my hand at baking delicious things so this was right up my alley. Check it out!

http://www.bakerella.com/

Pretty much I want to be her!!