I Love Small Town USA

My dad owns a teeny, tiny house in the small town of Parowan, Utah. Our family has had the opportunity to retreat there several times this year. I remember a time when I was a little girl and my family would pass through this little town on our way to Salt Lake City. I would wonder what people would do during the day in towns like Parowan, Paragonah, Mt. Carmel, Hatch, Orderville and Panguich.

Since Matt and I have taken on our most recent motto of "slow life down and take time to enjoy," when Virginia called us and asked if we wanted to meet my dad and her in Parowan for the Iron County Fair over Labor Day weekend, we marked our calendars with a red Sharpie pen and gold foil stars to remind us. I washed our best red and white gingham attire, packed our overnight bags, mountain bikes, a market tote full of projects to most likely avoid, miscellaneous food from the fridge, and my running gear. The weather has been changing to that brisk cool air that reminds me on my run every morning that a new season is on it's way.

Four surprises on this trip:

1. I like rodeos and parades.

2. My little sis and her family came. We had no idea. So when Mo Mo knocked on the door, we squeeled when we saw their faces.
3. I found out I really love to mountain bike. I used the bike Matt bought me as a wedding gift 18 years ago. And at the bottom of Brian Head ski resort, I found out from another biker that I might be interested in an updated bike with shocks. A lot changes in 18 years, and with bikes, there are no exceptionsto this rule.

4. Iron County had a 5K as part of the parade on Monday.

So I ran...

I ran as fast as I could.

I brought home a shiny red ribbon for my age group. I love small towns, they make me feel like I'm someone of ribbon worthy.

My girls remind me that I'm probably not. All they could say from the sidelines is, "You run funny Mom!"

Whatever kids.

I already miss you Parowan. I wonder what I'll do during the day without you.

Farm to Table

The Invitation hand delivered in small burlap bags

The Lloyd's Farm Table
The Season's Abundance from Jennie and her neighbor's yard arranged in baskets and dishes serve as the table's focal point.









The Featured Artisans










What exactly was on the menu you ask? Only locally grown or handcrafted food of course. Thank you Brent Morely for hooking us up with some pretty incredible whole fillet of beef. (I'm only sorry he was never photographed, with the task of cooking the meat for this crew, he was never sitting around.)

Homemade Mint Lemonade

Caprise Bruschetta with Homegrown Tomatoes, Sweet Basil & Mozzarella Balls

Blue Cheese, Roasted Potato, and Field Greens Salad with Lemon-Garlic Dressing

Chive, Parsley and Rosemary Rolls

Yellow Squash Gratin, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Filet of Beef with Gorgonzola & Onion Sauce


Berries, Peaches and Cream Pavlova

Jennie's gracious parting gifts - Homemade Basil Pesto

And then take a burlap bag and fill it with shared abundance from guests' gardens