Annual Tea Getaway:

Above is the Tea Clan after a fun morning spent on the lake.  Adults include Allison and Rob (Johnston), Jason, Nash Way and Evan, Grace and Daniel with grandkids Ana, Livi, Ingrid, Ethan and Racquel (who wanted none of this photo stuff that grandma insisted on).  Since we have been back from Thailand we have tried to get everyone together at least once a year at the cabin.  The grandkids look forward to this chance to take rides with grandpa on the four wheeler and expand their water skills on Smith and Moorehouse reservoir.  Having everyone under one roof for a couple of days is all the reason I need to look forward to this yearly event.

Thailand Quilt Festival 2014

My quilt won an Honorary Mention for the best creativity at the Thailand Quilt Festival! 

Click here to read about it.

Love the Colors:

When Kim was last in Utah, she and I did some dyeing of fabric.  It was a lot of fun and very educational for me.  Watched and re-watched Jane Dunnewold's Craftsy DVD on dyeing, bought some books and washed white fabric to make it ready to take the dye.  I even bought a few new colors from the Pro Chemical and Dye booth at Houston last year.  This all to get ready for dyeing on my own.  Put it off, saying it had to be done in the warm weather and in a place I wouldn't be afraid to mess up (I've been known to do that).  I finally forced myself to secure a place in the garage (above) and go for it.

Summer in Utah:

The summer is in full swing in Utah.  While June was rather mild for a Utah summer, July has seen most days in the high 90's or 100.  Hot yes, but given great summer reasons to get out and do, the heat is more something to endure than avoid.  July 4th parades abound in every city small and large across the states.  The Centerville parade is one we have visited on and off throughout the last two or so decades we have lived here.   There are the clowns, school bands, horses (not so many this year though), along with a number of "advertisement" floats and decorated cars for local merchants.  I mean Wallmart drove a big semi down the street!! Our grandson, Ethan, was in the parade this year as he participated with his cub scout troop.  A few boys in the troop came first  carrying the flag.  Ethan followed with a banner naming fallen solders from the local area.  He is on the right.

Botero Horse at Embassy Chit Lom

The newest mall in Bangkok opened a little while ago, the first in what appears to be a line of new malls either mid-build or in planning.  Yes, just what Bangkok needs, another mall.

I'm afraid I have been seriously underwhelmed by this building.  Inside it looks dated and unfinished, but maybe that is the fashion now.  And talking of fashion, this is the ultimate hi-so shoppers paradise, wall to wall designer shops.  You won't be buying your Uniglo clothes in here!

Buddhamonthon & Rama IX Park

Buddhamonthon is found a short outside of Bangkok.  This Buddhist monument was built to commemorate the Thai people's deeply routed faith in Buddhism.  The park was started in 1957 and is also the residence of the Supreme Patriarch. 

The main Buddha statue (standing nearly 16 meters tall) is beautiful. 

Erawan Museum & SamutPrakarn Crocodile Farm & Zoo

I have never visited the Erawan Museum before, but heard about the wonder and unique building.  I have to admit that this is pretty jaw dropping, a museum inside a three headed elephant!  It was worth the money just to see this much.

Wh