The glorious Cathedral of the Madeleine--the exterior, . . and a Gargoyle Story

I think the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City is a stunner. If you want to see more of the Cathedral check out their website here. I went with my daughter for her A.P. Art History extra-credit photo tour. It was a particularly gray day which I thought made the pictures extra dramatic. It looks as if the photos are black and white but they are in color.

It is made out of Utah sandstone from Carbon County. The sandstone used for the Presbyterian Church that I blogged about previously was mined from Red Butte Canyon. The difference in the colors of the two churches is amazing. This almost colorless sandstone is austere and dramatic. (I have to admit I really LOVE the warm red sandstone on the Presbyterian Church.)

I am particularly fond of the gargoyles! I think every building should have some gnarly gargoyle looking down on the little humans below. Look at this one watch you!

Here he is getting closer.

Another gargoyle friend on the other side.

 He seems to be laughing at us.

Here is little history of these particular gargoyles from the Cathedral of the Madeleine Website.

"Eight gargoyles look down from the 185-feet-high east and west towers. The gargoyles are primarily decorative, and do not serve as water spouts as do those on many of the cathedrals of Europe. The original gargoyles placed on the Cathedral in 1917 weathered and eroded to the extent that hey were nonexistent by 1930. In the 1975 restoration, eight new steel-reinforced gargoyles, weighing 1,200 pounds each, were placed on the Cathedral. Each gargoyle, made by University of Utah art student Peter Cole, represents a petrified combination of a bird, a dog and a cat."   Go Peter Cole!

I am going to leave you with the spire over the alter in all its winter glory.

Salt Lake City 1st Presbyterian Church

I've suddenly have this yen to take pictures of architecture. It's become a bit of an obsession. Last Mother's Day, my wonderful husband, Dan, gave me a camera that could take some great pictures. First, I was obsessed with flowers and nature (still am). Then I add architecture to the nature compulsion. I bet you all wonder if I am still stuck on food--well, yes I am. I will keep cooking my grandma's recipes for good or ill, but for today you get the Salt Lake City 1st Presbyterian Church.

This is just the side door.

I didn't even take pictures of the front because I thought the side was so beautiful.

Little window -- would make anyone want to pray.

Lovely!

What would it be like to live here. . .Witch houses continued

Here are two more avenues houses that I have always loved and been a little afraid of. I passed the gold one every day on my way to elementary school.  I thought a Persian witch lived here.

This grey house is adorable now, but picture it as I saw it when I was a little girl, with peeling black paint and everything in disrepair. It was the only house that I was truly scared of. We always skipped it on Halloween.

Everneath Book Launch! Go Brodi!

Brodi Ashton's book launch was January 24th. I am sorry that I am a week late with my pictures, but I have an excuse--we moved! Again! Yea! Most people move around the country or the world, we move within a 4 mile area. Anyway, another tale for another day, because this blog is all about my sister-in-law, The Amazing Brodi (sounds like she's a magician--well she is--with words!). It was actually one of the most exciting evenings I've ever had. I wish that said more, because I am a little boring, but I know it would have been exciting even for Evel Knievel.

The King's English in Salt Lake City hosted the launch at it's neighbor the 15th Street Gallery.  It was packed and quickly became standing room only. Brodi gave a wonderful and very funny presentation about the publishing process. She wrote about the launch on her blog here and here. She then moved over to The King's English and signed and signed and signed.

I've watched Brodi through this whole process and she's amazed me with her dedication, tenacity and writing ability. She is going to have an amazing career and she's earned it!

Waiting in the wings.

The King's English supplied the cake.

Brodi's family on both sides provided the food.
We love to bring food to any occasion.

The Book

The Crowd!

Yep, I waited in line to get a signature!
Yep, I look like and am a crazed stalker!
You go Brodi!

Utah State Capitol Roaring

My daughter had an extra credit assignment that involved locating various architectural styles around town. I saw the assignment on my desk and made her promise to take me with her. So, when we had a little time after Christmas we went around town taking pictures. It was so fun and I got a little carried away. I thought I would start with Utah's State Capitol Building which I think is beautiful.

This is a bronze sculpture of Massasoit. It was made by Cyrus E. Dallin a notable Utah sculptor. Dallin was born in Springville and is famous for this sculpture of Massasoit as well as the Angel Moroni on top of the Salt Lake City Temple.  I found this out when I became very curious as to why Massasoit was greeting visitors to the Utah State Capitol.

Massasoit was the leader of several Wampanoag groups located around where the Mayflower landed and where Plymouth Colony was founded at the time of the arrival of the Mayflower. He probably helped save the pilgrims from starvation and has a very interesting history. While the history didn't match up with Utah at least the artist did.

After we paid our respects to Massasoit I spent a little time with the lions. As you can see I especially liked the lions!

















Majestic,

















Timeless,

















Different light, different color,

Great down to the detail of paw and fur!

I had to include the mural of seagulls as well. What is a the Utah State Capitol for if not to immortalize Utah's great stories.

What would it be like to live here. . . Castle Valley Outdoors

My Uncle Glendon passed away this fall.  He was loving, generous and so good to us as his extended family.  I haven't been able to write about his funeral yet--I will, but not yet.

My sister-in-law Brodi wrote a really beautiful account of his funeral that made me cry--here's the link.

Here, I am going to write about something he created in the high desert plateau of central Utah--in Emery County, Utah to be exact. It might just be my favorite place on earth and we have been able to spend our Thanksgiving there for years and years. This Thanksgiving I was extra grateful to him for allowing us to be part of his family.

You can get to Castle Valley Ranch from I-70,

from the Moore Cutoff Road (this is a nice little drafty cottage),

















and from Utah State Highway 10 that goes from Price to Emery--my favorite highway in the world and I have to drive it in the daylight. If I don't get to see the scenery in the light I get a little cranky. This is a must because when I drive out of Spanish Fork Canyon and turn on to Highway 10 the sky opens up and I feel free! With only 8 inches of precipitation a year it is incredibly dry but the flip side of that it is also ecstatically sunny!


















Here is a long view of Castle Valley Outdoors--Castle Valley Lodge on right, Muddy Creek Lodge in the middle and Pioneer House on the left (hidden by trees).

 Views, view everywhere

 Camaraderie in the cold

 Sparse and hardy vegetation

There is fish in that thar pond!

Fire pit for s'mores

 Seriously, someone in our family left gasoline out--just so my son's eyebrows could almost get singed off.

Breakfast view

Windy walk around the lake

 Sunset on the fields

 Sunset on the plateau

















Time to go home. I hate to go back home.

Thank you Uncle Glendon for a life well lived and great memories we all treasure.

Cheers to people who. . .

Sometimes I get tired. This may be proved by my lack of blogging, lack of cleaning, lack of gumption and today by my lack of mascara.

When I'm tired I like to try and be inspired--on my walks here are some things that inspired me.

People who plant grasses and let them be. . .

People who put swings over sidewalks. . .

and people who don't rake their leaves. . .

Goodonya people!!