Surprise...Surprise...Surprise...visit

Nola had been waiting for a sign it was time to change her job and it finally hit a few weeks ago.  That is her story to tell but I share that much because it created a window of time that she wasn't working and was missing home.  So I strongly encouraged her to come spend some time in Salt Lake.  It was a last minute decision.  A flight was booked on Monday and on Saturday, she was here....and I was so excited!

We both wanted to spend the time doing something fun and relax.  Nola had Christmas decorations on her mind.  So we shared ideas and I did a little pre-visit shopping and we got to work.  Mom came into town for the weekend as well and joined in the fun.  We took Nola out to eat.  We did a little shopping.  And we set up craft corner on my dining room table.

We started at Tai Pan.  I've told Nola lots about it and she wanted to see.  They were in high Christmas mode and it was fun and exciting.  It was almost overwhelming to see everything and try to wade through it all.  But we had a good time and all walked out happy with our finds.


Nola in the tree section.

Mom and I trying to take it all in.

Inspiration for Nola.

 For crafts, I had visited the Dollar store and Michaels.  Nola wanted to learn to use Polymer clay so we dove into gingerbread boys.  Honestly, I think they are darling and it was fun to see how we each ended up making them different.

In process.

Mine finished

Then we ripped apart a text book Nola brought and made wreaths and trees and paper mache stars.  It was actually really fun.  For the wreath and tree, we cut leaf shapes and glued them on.  For the stars, we ripped the pages into smaller pieces and used Modge Podge to glue them to a cardboard shape.  After they were dry, we painted the high lines with gold paint.  Nola put Glimmer Mist and Ink on hers.

And finally, we decorated some pinecones with flowers and ribbons.

We were very pleased with our projects and felt the majority of our efforts worked out well.  There were wire stars that needed some more work and we tried to make ribbon candy out of the Polymer and it was.....ugly.  But otherwise....success.

Baby.  Our crafting cat supervisor.

On Sunday, we wanted to go out to breakfast.  None of us were sleeping well so we decided to go up the canyon to Ruth's Diner.  They are always very crowded but had seating on the patio.  So we sat outside by the heater.  We were fearful it was going to be too cold but with jackets and some cocoa, it was perfect.  It really was beautiful...and delicious.

Ruth's is known for their mile high homemade biscuits

 

Later in the week, Nola and I went to Market Street Grill.  Nola said the Clam Chowder is the best she's ever had.  And I am always open for fresh shrimp!  It did not disappoint and it was yet another beautiful day.


Because I have a camera phone and I can.... 
(Notice how we match.  That was not planned.)

Market Street at the mouth of the canyon.

I am always sad when it is time for Nola to head home.  But this time was extra special because I had already made plans to go visit her in North Carolina.  She headed home Wednesday morning.  I flew out for more fun and frolic on Thursday morning.  I will write more about that in another posting.

Loved having Nola here.  I hope she comes more often.