October 2021 Fall is in the Air - Happy Halloween

 

Nebo Loop

We started the month on Friday, Oct. 1 taking a short road trip to see the Fall foliage on the Mount Nebo Loop.  Being back in a part of the Country that has 4 Seasons is wonderful.  We were in awe for most of the drive and it just got better the further up the mountain we went.  

Emily

We started the drive by stopping at The Red Barn in Payson, UT for a fresh Apple slush.  It is the best apple drink ever.  It is fresh apple juice in a slush with caramel vanilla swirl ice cream - AMAZING Flavor combination.  Could be addictive - good thing it is 30 minutes away!

It was a beautiful clear crisp day to see the colorful foliage.  

The last picture is on the North side of the Mountain as we were coming to the Payson side of the drive.  Utah Lake is in the far distance.  Hunting season had begun and we saw many groups of hunters with their days work hanging in a tree.  What a beautiful way to start the month and to get ready for Fall. 

Saturday and Sunday we listened to General Conference and I made the traditional Cinnamon Rolls and shared them with neighbors.  

Sunday we flew to Arlington, TX to help our son, Joshua finish a house painting project we had started Summer of 2020.  His home was built in 1950 and he has always wanted to preserve the original structure and character of the original house.  This was a true restoration project - not just a paint job.  We hand scraped the entire top level of the house last summer and then painted it.  He acquired reclaimed boards to replace worn and rotted out wood and removed the old wood siding and replaced with the reclaimed boards.  We then purchased new planks when the reclaimed boards were all used.  We found that was a lot easier than scraping and planing all of the planks by hand.  You can see in the

picture the replaced wood.   Winter came and we had to put the job on hold. Then we moved to Utah and waited for good weather to return and finish the job.  They have had an unusually wet year and it seemed that every week it rained on Josh's days off.  We finally found a week that was good weather - so we went and worked really hard and got the whole house primed and the first coat of paint.  It felt so good to see the transformation and the beautiful restoration to the house.  Josh designed a metal skirt for the lower portion for a contrast and better protection for the areas that are prone to water exposure so there would not be further wood rot.  He is so talented in design and workmanship.  It is always 

good to work alongside of him.  He keeps us at our best and teaches us the best techniques for doing the job.

I returned to Arlington on Sunday, Oct. 24 to help Josh and Julie clean up the yard and workshop.  Josh finished the second coat of paint the week before and the house looks amazing.  It is a really nice restoration and will last for many years.  We hauled 4 trailer loads of many years of project left overs like wood, metal, old furniture, etc. to the dump.  

The property is looking so nice and ready for Winter.  I have enjoyed spending this time with Josh and his family.  Jamie requested that I make some homemade bread for him so before I left we made bread - keeping the memories of Grandma alive.

Saturday, Oct. 9 we were invited to attend BYU Spectacular!  This is an annual Homecoming Event at BYU.  This was the 50 year Anniversary of the Spectacular and it was a tribute to the different performing groups on campus.  Young Ambassadors, The Ballroom Dance Team, Cougarettes, Vocal Point, Jazz Ensemble, Cosmo and the Cheer Squad and Dance Team and the Headliner was Brian Stokes Mitchell.  He was so entertaining and ended with some of my favorite songs.  I was in tears by the last song.  Best night of entertainment when you can laugh, sing, clap and be moved to tears.  We started the night at our home for dinner with our dear friends, John and Carol Homer and returned after the show for dessert.  Truly a memorable night.

We have finally had  rain and snow in the mountains that is much needed to help with the drought.  We have had rain at least one day every week all month long.  

HOME GROWN FAIRY GARDEN

One morning we woke up to our very own fairy garden.  Mushrooms had sprung up all over the yard.  They were all shapes, sizes and varieties.  It really was a sight to behold.

Door cut out

Along with our travels and other events the Construction on our home is moving forward - finally!  The door was cut out and the steps were formed and poured.  It has taken all month due to wet weather and scheduling the crews.  We painted the door and it is beginning to look like we will finally have our own entrance to our house.  I was hoping to have it finished for Halloween, but we did not quite make it.  We have a lot of landscaping to do now that the cement is completed.  Now it is just a big mud area and we are hoping to get sod laid before Winter.

Door installed

stairs formed

RELIEF SOCIETY DAY OF SERVICE

I have had the opportunity to serve on a Stake Humanitarian Committee.  We have planned a Day of Service for about 3 months.  On Saturday, Oct. 23rd the Day of Service was held.  I accepted the assignment to be in charge of the Brunch for 200 volunteers.  

Mats for the Homeless

Learning folders for refugee and immigrant families to help with learning.  

Diapers and hats for preemie babies that pass away.  Also beaded bracelets and key chains for babies who pass away at the hospital for a remembrance for the family.

Lovies for women and children abused or in trauma.

We also collected 160 purses and filled with personal hygiene and make-up products; 150 coats and 100 blankets for those in need.  It was heartwarming to see so many donations and so many women working to complete all of the projects.  It was organized so good and was very successful.  I was honored to be a part of such a special day.  The food was a welcome treat for those who were working so hard.  My daughter, Emily helped me with decorating the tables and setting up the Hot Chocolate Bar.  We made quite a team!  It is so fun having her to work with again.

Entrance to Food Area

Each participant received a container filled with Brunch.  The Brunch was a choice of Cinnamon Roll, Pumpkin Muffin or Granola Bars; apple slices with caramel dip; Antipasto Skewer and Mint Truffle Chocolate.  We had bottles of water and a Hot Chocolate Bar.  I made Homemade Chocolate and it was sooo good.  Recipes Below.

Kitchen Crew

I could not have done it without the volunteers in the kitchen who helped me put it all together.  They assembled the antipasto skewers and filled all of the containers with the food I had prepared.  It was so fun getting to know these ladies better and making new friends.

RECIPES

CARAMEL DIP

1 (8 oz.) pkg. Cream Cheese, softened

1 cup Brown Sugar

1 tsp. Vanilla

Mix together cream cheese, brown sugar and vanilla till smooth.  Refrigerate overnight for best flavor.  Serve with sliced apples, pears or favorite treat.

ANTIPASTO SKEWER

6 inch wooden skewer

Kalamata Olives

Grape or Cherry Tomatoes

cubed cheese

ham, salami (choice of sliced meat)

Tortellini (cheese variety in the refrigerator section)

Italian Dressing

Fresh Basil

Mozzarella Ball

Cook Tortellini as directed on package, about 2 minutes.  Drain, Rinse in cold water.  Marinate in Italian Dressing overnight.  

Assemble skewers with olive, tomato, cheese cube, meat slice folded in square or triangle, tortellini, basil, mozzarella ball, meat, olive or tomato on end.  Use what fits on the skewer.  

HOT CHOCOLATE

1 1/4 cups Baking Cocoa

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 1/2 cups Sugar

3/4 cup Hot Water

1 Gallon Milk

1 Tbl. Vanilla

Combine in 6 quart pot Cocoa, Salt and Sugar.  Add water.  Cook on medium heat until it boils.  Cook and stir 2 minutes.

Add:  Milk.  

Heat and stir in Vanilla

Serve with desired mix-ins:  marshmallows, crushed peppermints, chocolate chips, sprinkles, whipped cream, flavored syrups, etc.

Paper straws are a nice addition for serving. 

We also included the following poem in every Brunch container that tied the whole event together.

As we extend our

Hands and Heart

toward others in Christlike love,

Something wonderful happens to us.

Our own spirits become healed more

refined and stronger.

We become happier, more peaceful

and more receptive to the 

whisperings of the holy spirit.

                                   Dieter F Uchtdorf

BYU Octoberfest!  Fun night on campus with the BYU German Club sponsoring this event.  Fun to see some of the missionaries we served with and enjoying Brats, strudel and pretzels.  

The evening brought up memories of Fall in Germany and the wonderful Pumpkin Soup.  This is one of my favorite soup recipes for this time of year.

PUMPKIN SOUP

We end the month with HALLOWEEN!

Front Yard Visitors

Emily Loves Halloween.  She has decorated all month long.  We had a small party with people in the neighborhood stopping by.  It was a fun, festive night with homemade Rootbeer in the witches cauldron, donuts, hot dogs, apples and caramel dip, halloween popcorn and lots of candy.  

The best is yet to come - Thanksgiving is in the works and Christmas will be an adventure in this house.  Looking forward to December!

The Bride and Groom

Preslee the Wolf

Marigolds by the light of night

Another month filled with family, travel, service and hard work.  I am so grateful for October - General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - and the spiritual feast it is to end the year.  Our Prophet, Russell M. Nelson said we would hear 3 things during the conference that would be relevant to every living soul:  

1.  Pure Truth

2.  Pure Doctrine

3.  Pure Revelation

"Contrary to the doubts of some there really is right and wrong.  There really is absolute truth, eternal truth.  One of the plaques of the world is too few people know where to turn for truth. . .the pure doctrine of Christ changes the life of any who hear it and implements it in their life. "

As we begin the Holiday Season and the final two months of the year - it is worth looking at our CONNECTIONS in life.  Ponder on your Connections to Yourself, Others and God.  Now is a good time to see how we can strengthen those connections that for many have been strained or forgotten this past year.  15 minutes a day connecting with God through prayer, scripture study, reading, listening, or whatever helps you learn more or feel God in your life with help you CONNECT with yourself and with others.  This Blog helps me feel connected to others and is meaningful to me.  I hope this finds you well and happy!

Much Love,

The Grimmett's