July 2021 America the Beautiful!

 

Follow The Flag
600 Foot canyon wall with flag in Pleasant Grove, UT
Stand to Honor
Unite to Heal
Live to Inspire

July was filled with Parades, family gatherings, friends and exploring Utah.  

Logan wanted me to make his birthday cake so he could decorate it.  It was a fun project.  I haven't made a layer cake in a long time and it turned out really good.  He picked the colors and had fun with the frosting.  He asked me to write "Grandma approved" on the cake.  Happy 12th Birthday to Logan.

Grandma Approved cake

PROVO has a Balloon Festival every year as part of the Freedom Festival.  We decided to get up at  5:30 AM to go see the Balloons.  

Balloons being filled with air

As you can see in the pictures the sky is cloudy and gray.  First rain clouds in over a month and they came the morning of the festival.  Balloons have a very narrow window for launching and it was scheduled for 8:00 AM. It was determined that the weather was not safe for launching so they just had the balloons filled with air so we could walk around and see them inflated and how they work.  We were disappointed we did not see them launch but it was a beautiful sight watching them inflate.  We made it a fun day.  We left the festival and headed to Santaquin UT to get fresh cherries from THE RED BARN.  We found a gem that is well worth the drive.  One of their specialities is Apple Juice and everything you can think of made with apples.  Homemade ice cream at the soda fountain is also a speciality.  So, Ice cream at 9 AM was a breakfast.

Emily was asked to be one of the announcers for the Provo 4th of July parade again.  She did it a few years ago.  I helped her put the script together and we helped her get set up.  We love the 4th of July Parade and it has been a tradition for so many years in Arlington, TX.  We were happy to be here and being a part of this parade.  Emily was so good with the crowd.  She had the crowd dancing, singing, and cheering during the pre-parade activities.  It really made a difference and it was a real party for everyone there.  

Fireworks in the evening was a great way to end the day.

We had a special visit from Diogo Silva and his brother.  He was the very first missionary we served with in Freiburg, Germany.  He is from Portugal and has been attending school at BYU-Idaho.  He is returning to Portugal this week for 6 months and we were so glad to see him.  It has been 2 years since we have seen him and we had a great time reminiscing about the beginning days in Freiburg. 

Vienna North District

We had a mini reunion at the Penner home in Layton, UT.  It was so fun to get together with so many former missionaries and catch up on their lives.  Great weather, delicious food and the very best friendships.  

We took pictures of our District in Vienna, Zone in Vienna and our Freiburg, Germany District.

Vienna Zone

Freiburg District

We were so fortunate to serve with so many.  Being in Vienna allowed us to serve with 26 missionaries at the same time.  When we gather, the largest group is always Vienna.  They have all had an impact on our life in some way.  We continue to learn from them and truly enjoy every time we are with them.

Honored my Dad on July 22 for what would have been his 100th Birthday.  He wanted to live to 100 and almost made it, but he had a greater work to do in Heaven.  Some of the family gathered at his favorite restaurant - Maddox in Perry, UT.  It was a delightful celebration and fun to be with family.  

I spent about two weeks working on the genealogy of my Dad's family.  I am hooked.  I feel such an urgent need to connect the family together since our trip last month to Long Pine Nebraska.  I have since found other family members who are buried in the area and have spent hours scanning the 1890-1930 Census reports.  I have been able to fill in so many blanks to my Dad's life story.  These relatives are becoming so real to me and it is exciting to connect the dots.  I have followed my Dad's maternal grandparents from Berlin Germany to Long Pine to Minnesota, California, Colorado and Utah.  I know my Dad is cheering for me as I continue to put the family puzzle together.

We got a Concept 2 Rowing Machine this year and I started rowing in June.  I joined Team Melaleuca and participated in the monthly challenge of 30,000 meters for the month.  We row three days a week and bike on the trail 3 days.  I am not breaking any records, slow and steady, but it is a great workout.  I met my first goal and ranked in 4 events.  

1,000 meter row - 36th out of 50.  

After 1 year of COVID restrictions, we needed to make some changes in our eating and exercising.  We joined the R3 wellness group and started rowing and biking.  I reached my initial goal and lost 15 pounds and over 15 inches.  So grateful for our good health and being able to keep up with all that is going on in our lives.  

This picture tells it all.  Summer Trip to Grandma's.  I invited Jamie (12) to come and visit.  He has never been away from home in Texas.  He was not happy to leave Mom and the good life of home.  Kelly (19) wanted to come.  Mom, Dad and Shannon were looking forward to a quiet week.  They are all smiles as they tell them good bye.

I was not sure how the flight would go.  Jaime was telling everyone he was being forced to go on the airplane and I was afraid he would say that to the TSA agent and they would question me.  I was so relieved when we went through security with no problems.

Picture for Mom to see a happy boy once we were on the airplane.  I didn't hurt that we were seated in First Class and he had a window seat - except he was afraid of flying and was afraid to look out the window.  He kept closing the window shade and then would take peaks out the window just to make sure we were OK.  We had a nice talk about heaven and dying and we both survived the flight!  He said he would not get on another plane.  I told him it was the only way home!

We began the week with a drive through the Alpine Loop.  Jamie was not happy that we were taking him to the top of a high mountain with his fear of heights.  One lesson to learn this week is to trust Grandma.  We stopped at Sundance Ski Resort and walked around.  It was a nice Sunday afternoon drive.

Monday we bombed at the Trampoline Park.  Not a good fit and definitely no pictures.  Sensory issues are real and faulty technical problems with check-in was just the beginning of problems.  It can only get better from here.  

Tuesday we were off to Bear Lake - on the Idaho Utah border.  We stopped in Evanston, Wyoming and explored the historic Railroad Station.  

This is the Wing Family Chinese Gazebo & Garden.  In recognition of Evanston's Chinese heritage the 19th Century railroad workers and coal miners, the Wing Family whose Evanston upbringing and family ties helped them achieve life success.  The gazebo was given to the city in appreciation for the deep personal relationships established with the Wing Family on July 6, 2007.  

Beautiful gardens and lily pond surrounded the area.  

Preslee loved the fish and the quiet beauty of the water.

The Evanston Train Depot is on The National Register of Historic Places.  On May 29, 1903 it was visited by The President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt as part of an 8-week, 25 state tour.  It brought about 7,000 people from Wyoming, Utah, Idaho and Colorado.  It is still a busy train yard with an annual Train Expo in August.

We continued on our drive and arrived in Laketown, UT on the South end of Bear Lake.  

It was a nice cloudy day and started to rain just as we were leaving.  The lake is very low with nice beaches due to the drought.  The kids had a great time walking out to the sand bars and frolicking in the water.  Preslee has never met a stranger and today was no different.  She played and swam in the lake and talked to every person swimming in the area.  She is so full of life and enjoys the adventures.  Russ spent many summers at Bear Lake at his grandparents homes.  His Mother was from Laketown on the South Shore and his Father was from Paris, Idaho on the North Shore.

A cousin still owns the home of his grandparents and have it as an AirBnB.  Lots of memories.  Another cousin owns a raspberry farm and the only Drive-In Diner in Laketown - The Beaches and Chad's Berries.  They specialize in Raspberry Milkshakes and Bar-b-que pork sandwiches.  It was worth the 3 hour drive just to have the Milkshakes!

Chad's Berries was founded in 2000 for their son who as a small boy had a liver transplant and due to an infection became blind.  He was a very industrious young man and helped the family with the business.  He eventually received a seeing eye dog and became independent and moved to Logan, Utah.  He passed away in 2013 and the business continues in his memory.  They specialize in Raspberry Bar-b-que sauce, Raspberry jam, Sauce and a Raspberry Vinaigrette .  It is available on-line and some of the best you will ever eat.

Weston Family Home

Next stop, The BYU Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum.

Boyd K Packer, Amateur Artist and Apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a room dedicated to his collection of art with original carvings, paintings, sketches, and drawings.  He said, "As I have observed birds and animals, I have learned much.  I have watched the natural patterns of their life and their interaction with each other, their surroundings, and even other species.  Their resplendent beauty never ceases to amaze me.  I have drawn many lessons from nature that I have used as examples or object lessons in teaching throughout the years.  All my observations confirm to my soul that there is a God who created it all.  A scripture in Job has become one of my favorites: "But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.  Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this:  In whose hand is the soul of every living thing and the breath of all mankind" (Job 12:7-10)

The displays were so well done and we all enjoyed learning and seeing the history and evolution of plants and animals.  

Many varieties of Butterflies

The Power of Lions

Afternoon swim to finish off the day.  Are we having fun yet?  

I think the grandkids are starting to enjoy their time here.  Halfway point and they are settling in.

Thursday headed North to Ogden, UT to Hill AFB

One of the planes my Dad flew

MK6 Atomic Bomb

Today was definitely a highlight of the week.  My Dad was in the Air Force Reserves until I was a Senior in High School.  He retired as a Major.  I spent many hours sitting in the parking lot at Hill AFB while my parents shopped in the PX and Commissary.  I would watch the jets take off and land and was always fascinated with them.  I had never been to the Air Museum and I am so glad the grandsons wanted to visit the museum.  It was fun to see their excitement and interest in all of the planes.  

That was just the beginning of childhood memories.  We continued North to Perry, Utah  and the Millstream Classic Car Collection.

Fallout reality for Kelly

Original Taxi in service until 2015

Drive-in Movie Memories

JEEP Willey

Every family camping trip and adventure was spent in a JEEP Willey when I was growing up.  We were stranded in the South Hills in Idaho and rescued after my brother and his friend walked 15 miles through the night to get help.  My Dad sold it in 1970.  Mr. Smith said it was worth over $40,000 today.  

The first car Russ and his twin brother had was a Corvair Monza that was pink.  He loved that little car even when his brother was driving down the road and the engine fell out of the car.  The engine is in the back of the car.  

This is a family favorite of the owners.  Used for weddings and bringing babies home from the hospital and many drive-in movies.

This car collection was the highlight for Kelly.  His favorite computer game is Fallout.  It is set in the 1950's but the time is 2050.  He loves all this retro, especially the red truck and Coca Cola.  He wants to bring his brother Shannon back to see it.  

The week was quickly coming to a close.  Friday Kelly asked if we could go to downtown Salt Lake and walk around.  He really wanted to ride the Trax rail system.  

We parked and rode the Trax into downtown.  It was a beautiful evening and we walked and walked and enjoyed City Creek.  

The fountain was entertaining as it danced and put on a show.  Just as the sun was going down and the lights came on, fire came out of the fountain in a glorious show of fire and water.  Downtown Salt Lake did not disappoint.

Riding the train brought back memories of Europe and playing the time game.  We rode back toward the car and needed to make a connection.  The next train was not for 20 minutes and we knew we could walk it in 10 so off we went strolling off into the sunset.

Time to do HARD THINGS and return the kids back to Texas. It is usually an adventure when we fly and Saturday was no different.  People are flying again, and the flights were full.  We finally made a flight in the late afternoon and I got off the plane, walked them to baggage claim and said good-bye just in time for me to catch the flight back to Salt Lake City arriving at 12:15 AM Sunday morning.  

We had an awesome week.  We hope there were a few memories made and relationships strengthened.  Jamie decided flying was OK and that he was sure he would not die this trip.  He even said he was glad that he came but was even more glad to be home.  Not bad for his first time away from home.  I think this is the start to new adventures in his life.

safe with Mom!

It is Apricot Season in Utah!  It is so nice to be in an area with so

many farms with fruit trees, tomatos, corn, squash, etc.  

We picked from two different trees and started the canning season with apricot fruit spread.  I found a recipe for Apricot Sauce to be used with Chicken, Pork, or Shrimp and it was delicious so I made two batches. We still had more apricots and so I dehydrated two batches about 160 dried apricot halves.  I made the fruit spread to use in Cinnamon Rolls and other desserts  so when the Grandsons arrived we made Cinnamon Rolls.  I took some rolls to the people who gave me the apricots as a thank you and they were a hit.  The Apricot filling was soooo good.  

It's Recipe time.  I wanted to share the Sauce Recipe.  

APRICOT SAUCE

10 cups pitted, chopped apricots (I put in food processor and pulse till cut up, then I measure)

2 cups Brown Sugar

1 cup Sugar

1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar

3/4 cup Chopped Onion

1 Tbl. finely chopped fresh Ginger

1 clove Garlic

1 Tbl. Salt

2 Tbl. Mustard Seed

1/4 tsp. Cayenne Pepper

Put all ingredients except apricots in pot.  Heat to boil.  I use my Insta Pot.

Add chopped apricots and return to boil.

Reduce heat and simmer for one hour forty-five minutes until thick and reduced.

Prepare canner and jars.  Makes 6 pints

Add the hot sauce to hot jars leaving 1/2" headspace.

Add to water bath canner.  Bring to boil.

Process 25 min.  Turn off heat and let sit for 5 minutes

Remove from canner.

You can use to bake chicken, pork or shrimp or cook in the crock pot or Insta Pot with meats.  You can add 1 pkg. of dried onion soup mix to 2 cups of sauce and pour over meat to add more savory flavor.  

And so we come to the end of July and the highlights of our month.  The untold stories of broken sprinkler pipes and neighbors coming to the rescue and spending hours helping us repair them, or the refreshing morning bike rides 3 mornings a week - we are up to 9 miles a ride - so glad I have my little electric bike; harvesting our first zucchini and tomatoes, and the little day to day things are what make our life so rewarding, trying and worth it.  Grateful for every day we have to serve and make a difference in some small way.  

Much Love,

The Grimmett's