John's Mission Pics, May/Spring 2026

 A moose! This was in mountain country (obviously).

Denver at night

With one of his former companions.

He got to know many good families in the various wards he served in.

This woman was a good friend to the missionaries. They'd visit with her often, and they would sometimes do their laundry at her house. She was a Church member who was a little alternative and different, and John liked her a lot.

Beekeeping Adventures with David, May 2026

 Now that it's mid-August, I'll blog about May! 😄

I'm learning more about beekeeping because it's one of David's hobbies, and he's been doing it this summer. I still have a lot to learn, but I'm enjoying learning by watching him work with the hives. I haven't done too much myself yet, but I have used the smoker a couple of times. I'm happy to mostly be the smokin', photo-taking sidekick for now. 😉

Feeding time

We visited the bees after church on Mother's Day to check on the hives' progress in their new spot.

Another visit, this one a little more invasive, with prying into the hives to see how they were doing on the inside.

They were doing great! Check out all those content worker bees! 

This one hung out on David's shirt sleeve for a while.

I went over and visited the nearby chickens for a few minutes. I like chickens, especially bantam chickens, and I like how they're descendants of dinosaurs. You can see it in their little faces!

It's the birds and the bees; what more can I say! 😆

April 2026 Randoms: Books, Bees, Spring, and Other Things

 Here are the book covers I did for the library doors. There are more on the other side.
I enjoy doing this because it's fun to see which new books are coming out and what their covers look like, and then I get to choose which ones we display on the doors.

We saw Project Hail Mary in IMAX at the end of March. I loved it! It's an awesome movie with an interesting and truly heartfelt and touching storyline. I'm glad I read the book the week before seeing it (but you certainly don't have to to understand and enjoy it).

Book of Mormon and Old Testament scripture reading schedule for April

The Correspondent was a very popular book this spring. I liked it, but I didn't love it. 

I saw this book at the library too. I want to own this one.

I guess I liked the way I looked that day. 😄

I ended up getting one of these bee houses on Amazon this summer (but not this exact one) and put it out on our balcony. So far, I've only seen one bee visit it.

David's father passed away in March, and his funeral was during my Scotland trip, unfortunately. I felt bad about missing it and not being there with David, but he was fine with me going on the trip. He sent me these pictures while he was in Montana.

Check out their classic 80's Olan Mills family picture!

David is the cute guy in the back, second from the left. Do you see the baby boy in the front? I was about that age at the time. David was in high school while I was in diapers. 😆
On a more serious note, I'm so thankful I was able to meet David's dad, my then-soon-to-be father-in-law, last summer. He was a really nice man, a renowned scientist, and a former stake president and mission president. And the father of my handsome soon-to-be fiancé and hubby.

I got a beekeeping suit so I could help David with the hives. This was the first and so far only time I've worn it. It looks more like a fat suit, but it kept me safe from stings!

These dreamy owl socks that I got in Scotland are so soft and cozy, and I love the colors.

Spring was arriving; check out the beautiful blazing forsythia that I saw on my walk.

I also saw this lone turkey running at full speed through the woods. 😆

Happiness becomes me 😃

I liked this owl mirror that I saw in a shop. I didn't get it (though I did consider it) and satisfied myself by taking a picture of it instead.

Find me! It's not hard, LOL.

I took more selfies than usual in April. I think I was glowing with happiness from my trip to Scotland and from married life with David.

More spring!

How pretty is this!? (I took a screenshot of this picture, not the picture itself—unfortunately!) 😍

Springtime tulips at the temple

I checked this book out for David and me.

More forsythia and springtime blooms, this time at the church.

I follow Jeanette Rubio, Marco Rubio's wife, on Instagram. She posts interesting pictures from her life as the wife of the Secretary of State (who I hope will run for president in two years because he's pretty awesome!). Check out this beautiful beehive-themed dessert at a White House dinner she attended.😋