Downtown Salt Lake City

As wonderful as my jaunts into the country are, I can't escape the city, nor would I want to for too long. Downtown Salt Lake City is beautiful, and it's getting more and more exciting as construction continues with the huge Downtown Rising project. For my job recently, I spent a day downtown in the Zions Bank Building up on the 18th floor, which has a magnificent view of the city - south, west, and north. Of course, with a photo opp like that, I made sure to have my camera with me.

Looking north, here is the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in front, with the towering Church Office Building behind it, and further back is the Utah State Capitol. Yes, that's a helicopter flying by.

This is one of my favorite photos. It was a bit of a surprise when I looked at the downloaded photo on my computer and saw the flag from the Joseph Smith Memorial Building waving in front of the Utah Capitol. It's amazing what a telephoto lens can do! I cropped in pretty tight to get this layout. It looks like I photoshopped the flag in, I know, but that flag is the real thing...believe me!

 

And here is the elegant Salt Lake Temple and surrounding Temple Square. That's the famous Tabernacle (as in the Tabernacle Choir) on the left and the enormous Conference Center behind the temple to the right.

After my meetings I walked around temple square clicking away with my camera. Every time I'm there, I seem to find new views and angles to photograph. The old (and new) architecture is amazing, and I never tire of it.

The gardens this time of year are to fall in love with!

This is the Eagle Gate Plaza.                                And here is the Church Office Building again.

I love this statue of a mom with her children, which is one of many statues throughout Temple Square depicting our church's history and beliefs. 

This is a partial view of the Conference Center across the reflecting pool.

As a member of the LDS faith, Temple Square holds a special place in my heart. There's a wonderful and calming spirit there that I can't help feel as I walk around. Time seems to stand still.

After weddings take place in the temple, newly married couples come outside and are joined by groups of family and friends for celebration photos around the temple. Everyone is so happy. I caught the tail end of a wedding as I was walking around...

For visitors not of the LDS faith, there are volunteer missionaries who give tours and are glad to answer questions. If you're reading this and would like to know more, you can start with this website.

This guy guards the Lion House above it's door.

This is the Beehive House and its garden. I LOVE the old fashioned garden!

And this is where I was spending my day at work, at the Zions Bank Building...up on the top floor (just to the right of the letter K in Zions Bank!).

Here is the view of the city looking south - so many changes in the past year or so. The walkway connecting both sides of the street is one of the cool new additions that will be opening soon.

I hope you enjoyed this little tour of the heart of Salt Lake City! ~CJ~

Albion Basin Wildflowers

Holy belted cow! Albion Basin at Alta Ski Resort is unreal this time of year. Its majestic mountains are full of wildflowers of every color!

Lupine (blue), Indian Paintbrush (pink), Leafy Jacobs Ladder (white)

I was here - I really was! In this beautiful meadow of wildflowers. As I look at these photos, I'm in awe of Mother Nature's palette. There are hardly words for the beauty my mom and I encountered on our hike up to Cecret Lake. Enjoy! ~CJ~

Sunflower and Lupine

Blue Flax

Cow Parsnip

Columbine

Thickleaf Beardtongue

Hi Mom! Love you!

Cecret Lake

Wildflowers are Coming

Here's a sneak preview!

Watch for my next post to see a profusion of color and majestic mountains! It's the most beautiful time of the year up at Albion Basin, Alta Ski Resort, Utah!

Openness

I took a drive into the country on Saturday. I think I just needed some openness - to get out of the city and see some fields and sky. It was beautiful - the golden hour before sunset. Over the mountains I went and down into a valley. I came upon a field of golden flower-weeds with a train track running through it, surrounded by our mountains. I have no idea what kind of weed-flower they were, but their yellow was good enough for me to become enchanted and click away.

 Hmmm. Wonder what it could be. Lovely in a big field!

The wild sunflowers were in fine form, with bees buzzing around, doing their thing. I came across some critters, too.

 I actually heard this guy hee-hawing before I saw him. Truly a horrible noise. I thought something was dying. You can tell I haven't been around farm animals much.

Aren't my mountains majestic?

Is this guy an alpaca? He was hanging out by the sheep under the trees, eating the leaves. His long neck was coming in handy (or rather necky, I should say).

It was certainly a beautiful drive and so good to get out in the open and breathe. One of these days I'll pick up my knitting again, but right now I can't seem to put my camera down! ~CJ~

Rosemary Focaccia

I did it. I made the Rosemary Focaccia that Holly suggested I try, and it turned out FAB! And I used the fresh rosemary and oregano from my garden - that was the best part. The bread went from rising on the pizza stone as two small rounds...

to baking in the oven and coming out beautifully golden...

to being placed on a serving plate (hot) on the table...

to finding a spot on my plate and into my tummy!

What a treat. I can't believe how easy it was to make. I will make this again...definitely! ~CJ~

Real Food

I love August, when I can stop at the outdoor market and load up on fresh real food (not boxed, packaged, or processed!), some of which is grown locally. They were selling tons of local corn today. When I came home I plopped an ear in some boiling water for a few minutes and had it for lunch. So sweet and tasty.

I love the colors of fresh fruits and vegetables. I couldn't resist taking a snap of today's loot before putting it away.

I'll be munching away on this all week long, and even have a few new recipes I'd like to try, like this Double Tomato Bruschetta, and this Summer Tomato Salad, and this Fresh Tomato Salad.  My garden  is brimming with tomatoes, thyme, oregano, basil, and rosemary. One of these days I'm even going to try to make some Rosemary Focaccia or Rosemary Peasant Bread (can't decide which one to try first!). Yum!  ~CJ~

Tonight's Sunset...

...was so beautiful. I'm glad I caught it!

I'm always amazed when I see the Great Salt Lake glowing beneath the evening sky. I sometimes forget that it's right there on the other side of my town. This huge body of salty water. Can you imagine if it was fresh water? What a recreational spot it would be! Even though that would be fun, I do love its quiet solitude, especially during sundown. It makes me feel peaceful. Love it. ~CJ~