A trip downtown, in Ogden Utah

I grew up in Ogden Utah. When I was a kid, a trip downtown was something special. My Mom's office was downtown (This was in an era when most Moms did not work outside the home, I have always been proud of all that my Mom accomplished). A trip downtown might be shopping for school clothes, or to have lunch with Mom at "Snappy Service Cafe", or maybe to watch a parade from her office window. (As a kid, I would have preferred being down on the street for the parades, they often threw candy from the floats). 

My Mom's office was above "The Fun Shop". It carried all sorts of joke items, posters, and magic tricks. If you grew up there, you will remember it. Unfortunately, that building is gone now. 

When I was in Utah a few weeks ago, my friend Danette and I took a trip downtown. 

Details

 Light fixture in Ogden City and County Building

Light fixture in the Ogden Municipal Building. Danette had some business inside so I tagged along. I have not been in there for decades. I remembered that as a child, I thought it was "Neat" building, but did not remember why. Now I remember, let me show you some of the details. 

 Elevator Doors

How many public buildings built now have such beauty in the details. Beauty just to make the day a little nicer for the people who had business in the building.

 Stairway

The nice lady working behind the desk told us that they are doing some repair work. I am glad that they are not "Modernizing".

Note the plaque on the wall, I enlarged it in the corner so you can read it. This was a Public Works Agency Building.

 Glass

Windows above the entrance. 

Carved Details 

This is carved on the side of the counter where you go to apply for building permits. Right at the level where a kid in there with her Dad would notice it.

 Danette

My partner in crime (and coffee). Danette is my other sister. We might have different parents, but we are still sisters. 

 Horse

Remember the painted cows that appeared in cities all over the country several years ago? Cherokee NC has painted bears and Ogden Utah has horses. This one is in front of the Ogden City and County Building.

 Gardens

The park around the City and County Building is beautifully landscaped. When I was a kid they set up a "Christmas Village" with displays by church groups and local businesses. Walking through it was magical. I wonder if they still set it up?

 More Horses

Here are more of the horses. As you can see, there is a variety of paint themes. 

 Peery's Egyptian Theater Marquee

Here is another of my favorite places downtown. The Egyptian Theater. I have so many great memories inside this wonderful old building. There were two theaters downtown, the Egyptian and the Orpheum. Unfortunately the Orpheum is gone. The Egyptian is still going strong. 

 Egyptian Details

The outside of the building is beautiful, the inside is even better. They were closed when I was there with Danette so no pictures this time, maybe on my next visit out west?

 Egyptian Ticket Booth

Peery's Egyptian Theater 

Gods on the roof and Scarabs holding it up. What more can you ask for in an Egyptian building? I am sure that growing up around all this influenced me. 

The next picture is the ceiling above the ticket booth. You did not mind waiting when there was so much to look at.

 Children on a sled

Utah is a great place for families. There is an emphasis on the children that makes it easier to be a family. For instance, both the Egyptian and the Orpheum had "Crier Rooms" upstairs where Moms could take fussy children and still be able to see and hear the movie. 

 The park behind the City and County Building

This is new and I approve. What a lovely place to wander around in on a Utah Summer Day. 

 Ben Lomand Peak

You can't get lost in Ogden, as long as you can see the peak, you can figure out where you are at. This peak is nick named "Rocky" because when there is snow on it, you can see an elf's face complete with little pointy cap. 

 Ogden Utah

Ogden has so much more to see and do. It is a great place to visit. While you are downtown, visit Ogden's Historic 25th street. There are historic houses, museums, The Union Station, the Aerospace Museum at Hill Air Force Base, and a Dinosaur Park.

Intrigued? There is so much more, see Visit Ogden Utah for more information. 

On that note, my breakfast is ready.

Cheers,

Kat

Catching up, new friends, the next big project, signs of summer, the moon and breakfast.

I have some catching up to do.

My Sweet Husband has been working with 
some new friends on the next big project for the house.
Most of the windows have the original old wavy glass. They are 9 panes over 9 panes. However, some panes are broken and some have been replaced in the past with modern glass. 

Sunrise Stained Glass
Where the a special kind of magic happens. Step inside and let me introduce you to our friends.

Beverly and David Joosten
The artists and owners of Sunrise Stained Glass

Round windows
This picture shows close ups of the two windows so you can see them a little better. The next picture show how they are mounted.
This is the first stage.

 Transom on Antebellum Front Door
We brought quite a collection of antique stained glass back with us when we returned form Great Britain in 1992. 
Since then, we have hung the windows, or in case of the bigger ones, propped them up in each house we lived in.
We think this house is worthy of the windows and we found someone who can do it so here goes.

Beverly in her shop
She is standing at the end of the table in the next picture, with the Cartoon for the Gothic Window. The cartoon is the plan and pattern for the glass.

Cartoon
The brown area in the center is where our antique window will go. It will be surrounded by diamond shaped panes of clear glass and framed to fit the opening. This one will go at the top of the stairs.

Waiting for Stained Glass
This is the second floor landing where the Gothic Window will go. Note the color on the original heart pine floors.
I can't wait to see it in place. 

Heraldic Window
Once the Gothic Window is complete and in place. We plan to start on this one. It is nearly as large and will go in the library window that faces the side of the house. (The window facing the front is a Jib Window, it does not open since they put the siding on)
I will keep you posted.

Summer Super Moon
Got to love the new camera. These were taken without a tripod.
I braced myself on a pole in the yard.

Super

Summer Berries
These were in my Big Brother Pete's yard. Tasty. Ours were ready before I left but I did not get any photos this year. 
For me this is a sign of summer.

Magnolia blossom and bees
I wish I could share the lovely smell with you. These blossoms are nearly the size of my head and they smell lovely.

Summer in my garden

Wild Grapes
We are watching for these to ripen. Last year they were tasty!

Queen Anne's Lace
Another sign of summer.

English Muffin Breakfast
This is how my Sweet Husband fixes it. Starting with the top left and going clockwise; Orange Marmalade, Peanut butter and honey, Pumpkin pie (yes, really, you should try it), Lemon curd, and in the center a Sausage (vegetarian) Egg & Cheese English Muffin Sandwich. (The Pumpkin pie is of course my favorite)

I still have pictures from my trip to Utah and Idaho to post.
Cheers
Kat and Spontaneous

The importance of Family

I went back to Utah to spend time with my Family last week.

We just lost someone we love very much and we gathered to remember her. This post is dedicated to the rest of my Family. 

Pete

 This is my big brother Pete. He is featured in several posts. When I was little, he taught me how to play chess so he would have someone to practice with. We played all sorts of board games, cowboys and indians, and army. When I left my handed down bike to close to the driveway and my Dad ran it over, Pete used money saved from his newspaper route to buy me a new one. He is seven years older than me but he always had time for me (he still does). 

 Paula and Kat

Paula is closest to my age. We were typical sister's. We played together, we argued with each other, then we played some more. I know she played barbies with me long after she outgrew them. 

Lila, Pete, Kat, Parley Jr.

This is Pete's family.

Kris and Danette

Because some family is chosen rather than born. We may have different parents, but we are still Sisters.  

 Jillian, James, and Kayla

Kayla is Paula's daughter, Jillian and James are hers. 

Paula and Scott

Scott is Paula's Son. 

Julia, Scott, Kristy, Shanoa, and Maisy

This is Scott's family. Thank you Kristy for taking such good care of him! 

 Kayla and Heather

Heather is my Sister Margaret's daughter. These two girls have a huge chunk of my heart. 

 Kelly and some of the little ones.

This is one of my favorite pictures. Kelly looks so relaxed. I hate to admit it, but I cannot remember the little ones names. There were so many people there that I love. After a while, I just put the camera away and enjoyed the love. So if your picture is not here, it does not mean you are not loved. 

 Patrick and Family

I am so very proud of you Pat!

 Amy and Britt

Britt is one of my great nieces, Amy is her Mom.

 Ian

Ian is my great nephew. A very talented young man. 

Dell, JD (James), Zane, and Becca

I am not sure why they were leaning, but I love my crazy family! 

For more posts on my family see:

Grandparents

Camping

As I said in an earlier post "We are connected by unbreakable threads, past, present, and future. Family is a word like Joy, it somehow does not seem big enough or strong enough to really convey all that it means. I have an amazing family, I am loved". 

So take a minute and hug the people you love. If they are not within reach, call them, or write them a letter and tell them they are loved. We do not know how much time we have.

Last Look at my mountains

This was taken from the airplane window on my way home. Next week I will show you photos of Ogden Utah and Fish Haven Idaho.

Kat