November 2023 - Family projects, travels, and Thanksgiving

 

NOVEMBER HARVEST

We started the month with a work project and we end the month transforming our home for Christmas and our Nativity Display Open House.  We have had an amazing Fall and especially nice November as far as the weather goes.  It has allowed us to do a lot of yard work and to keep enjoying the beauty of the season every time we are outside.  

We worked really hard in our yard in October clearing out the dead trees and getting ready for the annual clean up days our city offers.  We just had piles of tree limbs, brush and other yard waste waiting for November to haul it off.  They usually drop off the dumpsters a day early and we were ready.  We were the first people to dump and after 5 loads we completely filled the dumpster with just our loads.  It was a lot of work and we were exhausted at the end of the day but we were so grateful the work of cutting it all down had been done the month before. The best part is looking at the yard at the end of the day and feeling a sense of accomplishment and being able to enjoy the beauty.

My sister, Pam wanted to get new flooring in her kitchen and bathroom.  We

met her in Salt Lake City to start looking fo the right flooring for her space.  It is always fun for me to look at all the options and picking the one that you like.  I also know that once you get the desire to make a change and start looking there is no stopping until the job is done.  SO ----- Russ and I had a new project to work on for a few days.  The kitchen has many angles and narrow places and almost every plank had to be trimmed.  We were not sure we had the skill and expertise to do the job.  It took us two days to complete the kitchen and then we returned on Monday to finish the job by doing the bathroom.  So grateful to be able to help her and that my body can still get down on the floor and only take a few days to recover!  

FRIENDS

It is always a treat when friends stop by for a visit.  So grateful when Tii and Mary take time out of their schedule to visit us when they come to Utah.  The time goes so fast when we are with them.  We can talk for hours - OK, I can talk for hours.  

THE TEXAS RANGERS 

We have waited over  40 years for this to happen - World Series Champions!  We are fans and can say we have been to all three of their Arlington Stadiums.  Emily is an avid fan and she went to Texas to be at the celebration parade and all of the festivities.  It was a quick trip but so memorable for her.  She parked cars for all of the home games for a couple of years so it was fun she was able to get a flight and join in the memories.

FAMILY

We went to the first Ballroom Dance Team Competition for Preslee.  What an event.  It was so fun to see the 7-9th graders dressed up and so regal in their presentations of different dances.  Her team did really well and her group received a trophy and ribbon for their dancing.  This was so entertaining and something we hope she continues for the next few years.  

A busy week for Emily as she celebrated her 40th Birthday - and she is my youngest daughter.  Hard to believe my children are getting older.  Preslee wanted to give her a Surprise party but Emily wanted to plan a party as well so I was the mediator to make it all happen.  What a fun night.  Over 20 friends and family came to celebrate and it was a festive night and just what Emily needed.  Laura and Jill, cousins from Idaho, Rachel from Saratoga Springs and Aunt Pam from Centerville all came.  It was a surprise and so fun to all be together.  They have not been together in several years and it was wonderful.  

We ended the night with her favorite Red Velvet Cake decorated to match the rest of the decorations.  So Good - Cakes are not my favorite to make but it turned out just how I wanted it.  

And from there I was off to Farmington Minnesota to spend a few days with Jaime and family.  I have not been to her home in over a year.  This is their busiest time of year and they needed help in getting their home ready for the upcoming holidays.  Jaime has a home cottage industry Bakery and Andy is a professional Santa Clause.  From November to the first of January they are non stop busy.  The bakery has taken over their home filling the kitchen and living room.  They just needed a fresh start and organization to begin this busy time and give them more room to work.  I was really glad they called and asked me to come and help.  They rented a storage unit to store all of the extra bakery things and we moved Mountains in three days.  

In Memory of Gloria

   The first event was their cat, Gloria who has been a part of their family   for 12 years had heart failure and died.  It was very sudden.  It took most   of the afternoon for them at the Vet Hospital and then to take care of   getting all of their children there and to make final arrangements.  I stayed   home and organized and actually got a lot done with everyone gone.     Gloria was their first family pet and their first pet to die.  I was glad to be     there to offer a little comfort.  

Jaime teaches Cookie Decorating classes and I got to go with her to one of her classes.  WHAT A TREAT!  She does a terrific presentation and everyone had a delightful time.  I learned so much and the cookies below are the ones I decorated.  Jaime entered the Dakota County Fair back in August and won 1st Place Reserve Grand Prize for her Decorated Sugar Cookies.  

She won 1st, 2nd and 4th Place for their Monster Cookies, Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip and Whoopie Pies.  Spider Monkeys Bake Shoppe is growing.  

The days went so fast.   We worked so hard and I was worn out but I am so glad I was able to help.  I was off and connected through Chicago.  I really like that airport - so many memories.  It has been the connecting point for several trips to Europe including our mission to Germany.  I enjoyed being by myself and just walking through the terminal reminiscing.  

Time to be home and get my own home ready for the Holidays.  The best place to start was at the Deseret Book NATIVITY MARKET in Salt Lake City.

Marie Osmond was a fun surprise as we entered the venue.  She was in the house to kick off the beginning of Christmas Music on FM 100.3

She was beautiful and so much fun.  

We had a nice time viewing the 400 Nativities from all over the world.  I have to say it was a little underwhelming when I have been a part of a Nativity Display with over 1400 Nativities for the past several years.  We took a lot of effort to display them and to create a nice environment.  It cost $12 per person to attend and then it was all about purchasing a Nativity that could be purchased at a local Deseret Book Store.

With that said, it is a magical experience for me to see all of the different expressions through artistic mediums to show the birth of Jesus Christ.  I enjoyed learning about the traditions in other countries and seeing the artistic creativity.  

It is always a nice time when I am with my sister, Pam.  There was some nice entertainment from local groups and 3 artists showing their items and signing autographs.  

I found two Nativities that I purchased to add to my collection.  I have added five this year - CRAZY!  

We ended the evening with a delicious dinner at Jim's Family Restaurant in Sandy, UT.  Today was the very best event to kick off the Christmas Season.

ANNUAL NATIVITY OPEN HOUSE

For all of our Utah Friends you are invited to come and see over 100 Nativities on display and to visit and enjoy holiday refreshments.

Sunday, December 17, 2023

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Monday, December 18, 2023

6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

1064 E. 140 N.

Lindon, UT.  84042

These pictures are two of my new acquisitions .  The top picture is truly magical as it is filled with lighted glitter and snow in an antique lantern.  You will have to come and see it to capture the magic within.  

The bottom picture is taken from the artist Jorge Cocco's painting of the Nativity.  

It's beginning to look like Christmas at our home.  Emily has been busy upstairs - she is so talented  - she takes Christmas to the next level!

Pinks

Geraniums 

Thanksgiving Day

It was such a beautiful day with the Sun shining and I still had flowers blooming in my yard.  I knew there was snow in the forecast  for the mountains and so I took pictures of the flowers to show how beautiful it was at the end of November.  

Oh, what a difference a day makes.  We woke up to 6 inches of SNOW.

It took us an hour to shovel the driveway and sidewalks - We had moved the snowblower to the garage and purchased new gas for the Winter - what we did not do was start it up and make sure it was working for the first day of snow.  We could not get it to start and then the pull rope pulled completely out!  It was good we had a new snow shovel.  

Winter Wonderland

SALT LAKE CITY - GENTRY CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Vinyard Front Runner Station

With the snow storm and the Gentry Concert we decided to make it an adventure and take the Front Runner to Salt Lake City.  Instead of driving in traffic and finding a parking lot to park in, we enjoyed the train and being dropped off at City Creek Mall.  One of my favorite memories as a child was going to Salt Lake and seeing the fancy windows at Christmas at ZCMI.  It is now a Macey's Department Store and their windows were Awesome.  I loved getting to see them and to feel the Christmas spirit.  

Macy's Window

Gentry Christmas Concert at the Eccles.

AMAZING!!  

I have wanted to attend a Gentry Concert for about 8 years.  It was everything I was expecting.  They are great entertainers and musicians.  Their pianist/composer and arranger was phenomenal.  One of the highlights for Russ and I was their new arrangement of a German favorite, Still, Still, Still.   It was absolutely beautiful.  It brought back so many memories of our Christmas in Vienna.  I hope this becomes a Christmas Tradition for us.

Making it even more special was being there with my sister, Pam and daughter Emily.  It was our Christmas gift to them and we really enjoyed being with them.  It was truly a magical night for all.  We finished off with a nice dinner at the Blue Iguana  - Russ's choice - it did not disappoint.  

THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving this year had a different look than we

have had before.  It was a hard day for Emily as her first big Holiday divorced and not being with her extended family and kids.  They were with their Dad and his family in Las Vegas.  We invited several families to dinner but none of them were available to come.  So, it was just the three of us.  We still wanted it to be a day of Gratitude and Thanksgiving.  I cooked for two days and we could have fed 12 people easily!  We had glazed Ham,  Potato Casserole, sweet potatoes, Quinoa stuffed acorn squash, frozen fruit salad, cranberry jello salad and homemade break.  We topped it off with Pumpkin pie made with fresh pie pumpkins, Fresh Cherry Pie, Pecan Pie and Pecan Cobbler (recipe below).  

The grandkids, Logan and Preslee asked that we have Thanksgiving Dinner on Sunday when they returned home.  It worked out great to have Ham on Thursday and Turkey on Sunday.  Having most of the cooking done for Thursday made it so much easier on Sunday to just cook the Turkey and stuffing and add some mashed potatoes.  

We had a really special day.  It is rare to have both of them at the dinner table and usually not for very long.  Everyone enjoyed the food and stayed and talked.  Logan kept thanking us for the nice table setting and the delicious food - it was a lot different than their Thanksgiving Dinner with takeout from Canes Chicken.  

We had dinner and then played card games for a few hours.  It was one of the best days we have had together in a long time.  

With our Children living all over the United States, it is difficult to get us all together.  I miss those family gatherings.  I am grateful that Brian, Beth and kids took a trip to Chicago and ended in Minnesota to spend Thanksgiving with Jaime and Andy and their family.  That made my "motherheart" Happy!

The last few days of the month have been transforming our home for Christmas.  It takes a few days to get the decorating done and then we begin setting up all of the Nativities.  It is the highlight of our Christmas Season to display and share with others the Nativities.  We had planned to go to Granbury, Texas to help with the Nativity Display there that we have helped with for many years but it did not work out for us to be there.  I am sure the new owners of the Display will make it a special experience for all that come.  

I love the warmth the Christmas lights bring to a room.  It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas in every room of the house.  

Emily's Family Room

We end the month at a Ballroom Dance Program for Preslee.  Oh, how I love watching her dance.  It brings out the best in her.  She is really enjoying it and has great rhythm.  A great Bookend for the month

Final bow

The Dance Team at Oakridge Jr. High

RECIPES:

QUINOA-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

This can also be served as a side dish without the squash.

INGREDIENTS:

3/4 cup Dry Quinoa

1 1/2 cups Vegetable Broth

2-3 Acorn Squash

2 Tbl. Olive Oil

1 small Onion, finely diced

1 stalk Celery, finely diced

1 large Apple, diced

1/2 cup Cranberries, fresh or frozen

3 cloves Garlic, minced

1 tsp. Sage

1 tsp. Thyme

1/2 tsp Cinnamon

1 tsp. Salt

Pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.  Preheat oven to 425*

2.  Cut each squash horizontally in half.  Scoop out the membranes and seeds inside of the squash and        discard.

3.  Place the squash on a rimmed baking sheet, cut-side up.  Brush the inside with olive oil and sprinkle with salt & pepper.  Roast the squash for about 35-45 min, or until tender, tested with a fork.

4.  Add the quinoa and broth to a medium pot.  Bring to a boil and then turn heat down to maintain a low simmer.  Cover with lid and cook until liquid is gone and quinoa is fluffy - about 15-20 min.  Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.  

5.  In a large pan, heat 2 Tbl of oil over medium heat.  Saute' the onion, celery and apples until softened.

6.  Add cranberries, garlic, sage, thyme, cinnamon, salt and pepper.  Saute' about 7-9 min. or until cranberries are tender.  

7.  Remove from heat and add the cooked quinoa.  Combine well and taste for seasoning, add more as needed.

8.  When the squash is ready, fill with the stuffing mixture.  Place in oven and bake 10-15 min. until the quinoa is lightly browned and crispy.  

This was a great option for high carb bread stuffing and went great with Ham.  

Pecan Pie is one of my favorite desserts to eat in the Fall.  Living in Texas the Pecans were plentiful and you could afford to bake with them.  I found a new recipe this year for Pecan Cobbler and so I decided to try it.  It was really good and for people who don't like making pie crust it is a great alternative.  

PECAN COBBLER

6 Tbl. Butter (No Substitutions)

1 cup Pecans, chopped

1 1/2 cups Self Rising Flour

1 1/2 cups Sugar

2/3 cup Milk

1 tsp Vanilla

1 1/2 cups Brown Sugar, packed

1 1/2 cups Hot Water

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350*

Pour melted butter into a 9 x 13 in. Baking Dish

Sprinkle Pecans over Butter

In a bowl mix flour, sugar, milk, and vanilla.  Stir to combine, but do not over mix.

Spoon batter over the pecans and butter but do not mix!

Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over the batter.  Again DO NOT MIX!

Carefully pour the water over the mixture.  DO NOT STIR!  

Bake 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.  Note:  Cobbler will have a slight jiggle.  Allow to cool completely just as you would with a pecan pie before serving.  Enjoy!

We have so much to be Thankful for.  Our friends and family who I write this Blog for every month and who continue to read and be a part of our life are at the top of the list.  May you feel the Love of Jesus Christ in your life as you finish up the year and prepare your hearts and homes for the Christmas Season.  

With Much Love,

The Grimmett's

October 2023 - Friends, Weddings, Natural Wonders and Halloween

 

The look of Fall changes in October as we have had our first SNOW in the Mountains and the beautiful Fall colors contrast with the snowcapped mountains to manifest the majesty of the season and the creations of God.  We love driving the Alpine Loop and seeing so many colors of the season.

Aspens in their glory

With the changing of the seasons and the colder weather, we finally after 25 years we added a fireplace insert to our mantel.  We love it and it adds a nice way to heat our room on the colder evenings.  

When we purchased our home 2 years ago we knew it had the original furnace and air conditioning system.  We had a home warranty for the first two years so of course 6 months later we realize we need to replace the whole system.  We have 2 units of each so 4 units that needed replaced.  That's a big investment into our home but one we knew would come sooner than later.  So, we now have new, more efficient systems that should get us through many seasons of hot and cold weather.  They made it very clear that the new systems would not last the 29 years that our original system had lasted.  We are hoping it will make a difference on our Utility bills.  

A beautiful night to listen to my niece Rachel McRae perform at her annual backyard concert of original songs.  It was great music and very entertaining.  So fun to see my sister, Pam and some of her children and grand children supporting Rachel.  

Pam and Matthew Youngs

FRIENDS

Sherry McCullough and Emily

We had a special visit from a very dear and long time friend from Texas  - Sherry McCullough.  When Emily was born, my mother was not scheduled to come for a few more days so Sherry came over at 6:00 AM and stayed with Josh and Jaime while Russ and I went to the hospital.  We had a baby girl by 7:30 AM and Russ got back home in time to take the kids to school!  Sherry and Emily have always had a special bond and she was always so good to my children.  She had only been to Utah one time and that was many years ago.  We took her to see some of the sights in the area.  

PROVO CITY TEMPLE.  Oh how I love the historic beauty of this Temple.  From the stain glass windows to the dark woods and furnishings and the beautiful grounds it is one of my favorites.  

It is not a visit to Provo without going to the BYU Campus and walking through the Wilkinson Center and Bookstore.  The best part is ending at the BYU Creamery for  a dish of Ice Cream!  

Day 2 was a visit to Downtown Salt Lake City.  Temple Square and The Conference Center were the highlights.  We took the tour of the Conference Center - what a delight!  There were 7 of us on the tour - two couples were visiting from out of town.  The picture on the right is located in the Conference Center and depicts a scene of Christ when He comes again to the earth.  If you look closely you will see the clouds are the angels in Heaven.  

We had the opportunity of sharing our Testimonies with the two couples and sharing a few experiences in our lives that witness of Jesus Christ.  They told us it was a 20 minute tour and it took us 1 1/2 hours - a spirit filled experience on a beautiful day.  As part of the tour you get to go to the roof top gardens.  This mural is located on the roof and has the inscription, "And this gospel shall be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." D&C 133:37

It is a beautiful mural and special to me as I have experienced a small part of taking the Gospel to the World.

This is the view of Temple Square from the roof top.  The Construction is massive and starting to take shape with some areas near completion.  It will still be another 2 years before it is all completed.  I have loved watching the progress the past two years and look forward to the completion.  At the conclusion of the tour the couples thanked us for being with them and adding our experiences that made it special for them.  Always fun to make friends along the way in life.

We drove back home via Park City and Provo Canyon so Sherry could see the mountains and the Fall Foliage.  We ended at Bridal Veil Falls.  

                                        The Legend of the Falls

Many moons ago, an indin named Norita and a brave from rival tribe, named Grey Eagle met and fell in love.  They planned to meet near a streamlet high on the mountainside and elope to a land far away from both of their tribes.  On that fateful night, instead of her lover, Norita was confronted by braves from her own tribe,  Fearing her lover had been destroyed she leapt from the high ledges.  

Mother Nature was touched by her wild beauty, and she caught up Norita's streaming tresses and made from them a Bridal Veill of falling water.  From her flowing gown an alter was formed on the face of the mountain.  Then her spirit was sent out as a mist, causing a green carpet to spread over the mountainside.  The intruders fled while her saddened lover stood and gazed down at the strange yet beautiful transformation.  His grief was more than he could bear, so out of compassion for his sorrow, Mother Nature molded his massive frame into the mountain and stretched his mighty shoulders high into the heavens like silent sentinels to guard over his loved one.  His cries of anguish were softened into love calls to whisper forever.  

The rock beds were formed during the Pennsylvanian period.  The rock types are: limestone, sandstone, shale, dolomite, malite, sylvite, conglomerate and other salts.  

We loved having Sherry visit and hope that she will return again soon.  We had such a wonderful time catching up after many years and showing her a little part of our world.  

Phil & Lisa Brinkerhoff

October was Texas Month.  Our dear friends, Phil and Lisa Brinkerhoff were in Utah visiting Lisa's son, Ben and they took a day and came to visit.  What a SPECIAL TREAT!  We had a delicious lunch at Magelby’s and then came back to our home and visited.  We could have talked all day and night.  So nice seeing and feeling their love.  We love hearing of their adventures and all that they continue to do and serve others.  Oh, how we miss our friends in Texas.  So grateful for when we get to catch up on our lives occasionally.

OCTOBERFEST DINNER

Ammon, Jesse, Kaja, Tamara, Thomas & Riley

Thomas and Tamara

Schnitzel 

Spaetzle

GINGER SNAPS WITH DIP

   We had our annual Oktoberfest Dinner with friends from our mission.  Good food, friends and great conversation made for a fun evening.  I finally bought a spaetzle press to make homemade and it turned out wonderful!  Thanks to Heidi Blanchard for her recipe that made it awesome!  

 Apple Strudel and ginger snaps for dessert.  

Kaja and Jesse brought a beautiful bouquet of flowers and I added them to my vase of zinnias.  These were the very last picking for the season before the frost hit.  I am still enjoying them and love the colors.  

ST. GEORGE TEMPLE OPEN HOUSE

When we first got married and were students at BYU we enjoyed driving to St. George a few times and spending the weekend.  

The Open House for the renovated St. George Temple was the perfect opportunity for us to return.  It was one of the best two days we have had together in a long time.  We got an early start and drove the 4 hr. drive arriving just at noon.  We had tickets for the 5:00 session but we decided to try and go earlier.  It was the perfect way to start our day.  We got in a session with only 15 people in it.  Words cannot express the beauty and grandeur of the Temple.  The St. George Temple was the first Temple completed in Utah in 1877 - twenty years before the Salt Lake Temple was completed.  It is currently the fifth largest Temple in operation.  The deep blues and yellows on the interior with black light fixtures brought it back to its original design.  The circular staircase 4 stories tall was spectacular.  It was a very spiritual experience as we walked through all of the rooms taking in the beauty and majesty of each room.  

We then went into the Visitor Center and looked at the exhibits.

There is so much Church History in the city be decided to spend some time touring the sites.  We began at George's Restaurant in Old Town Square for lunch.  Great food and fun atmosphere.

Next stop was the WINTER HOME OF BRIGHAM YOUNG.  During construction of the Temple, President Brigham Young found the climate in this vicinity beneficial to his health, and decided to have a winter home built in St. George.  On December 15, 1873 he arrived from the North and moved into his new house, though still unfinished.  Later he had an office built East of his home, where he took care of his various duties.  The Winters which followed until his death in 1877 were enjoyed in this Winter Home.  They would take the train from Salt Lake City South to Santaquin.  From there it was a two week trip by wagon or carriage.  More on that below.

This is the living room of the home.  We learned some fun things on the tour.  "Sleep tight and don't let the bugs bite" came from the mattress on the bed being held by ropes strung across and needing to be tightened on a regular basis.  The mattress was made from fabric filled with straw or other plants and grasses that could be full of bugs so they had a "rolling pin" looking instrument to beat the mattress to get the bugs out.  The bed below was Brigham's with his top had and case that he wore.  Fun fact:  Brigham Young and George Washingtons fathers served together in the Revolutionary War.  A picture of George Washington hung in his home.  

The office building on the property was very special.  I thought it was a

little school house and then entered and found it to be his office.  Drawings and blue prints for the building of the temple were there.  Up until that time the Temple Ceremonies from Nauvoo were memorized and no written down.  It was in this room that Brigham Young wrote the Ordinances and ceremonies down.  Those original documents are still used today to make sure the ordinances are doctrinally correct.  Many sacred things took place in this room.  

From the Brigham Young home we went to the original Tabernacle in St. George.  It is still in use today as a place for concerts and other gatherings and meetings.  It has a lot of symbolism in it as well.  

Just 3 miles from the St. George Temple is the new Red Cliff Temple - almost completed with the Open House scheduled for January-March 2024.  We drove around it and look forward to attending the Open House as well.  So beautiful against the red cliffs - picture is looking the other direction .  

It was time for dinner and to get on the road to Cedar City where we would be staying with our MTC companions from our Mission days.  Loren and Mary Barney will forever be special friends.  We served for 10 days in the MTC together and those were days never to be forgotten.  It is always enjoyable when we are able to see each other and catch up.  We kept them up way too late but when you are having a great time the time just goes too fast.  After a wonderful Texas style breakfast of biscuits and gravy, eggs and fruit we were on the road headed for home.  We had all day and decided to make it an adventure and see some sights along the way.

BEAVER CREAMERY

Top of Russ's list was to stop for ice cream at the creamery.  That was lunch!  

The top of my list was to stop at Cove Fort - another bucket list item for me.  We have passed by it so many times over the years and today was the time to stop and learn more about it.  

In 1867, Ira N. Hinckley and his family received a call from President Brigham Young to move from their home in Coalville, UT to build a fort in south-central Utah, 200 miles away.  Ira, his brother and local workmen built the fort to serve as a way station for travelers, protect the telegraph office, and provide a home for the Hinckley family.  Many of the rooms in the fort were used as family and guest quarters.  

Ira Hinckley and his family lived in this cabin in Coalville, UT.  There were 11 children in this home.  The home was dismantled, brought to                                                            Cove Fort, and reconstructed here in the 1990's.

The fort was build to protect against Indian raids as a result of earlier problems in the area.  It was never needed and never had a bad encounter with the local Native Americans.

The Deseret Telegraph Company ran north and south to improve communication in Utah Territory.  Brigham Young organized the company in 1867 after seeing the completion of the transcontinental telegraph eight years earlier.  The electric pulse of a telegraph battery could transmit a message approximately 30 miles; a message was relayed down the line to its destination.  Soon there was a network kof telegraph stations from Salt Lake City north to Idaho and south to Arizona.  Cove Fort sheltered the telegraph office that filled the 60-mile gap between Fillmore and Beaver, Utah.  

Many travelers  stopped on their way between Salt Lake and all points South.  Brigham Young always stayed on his way to and from St. George.  The Kitchen and Dining Room was built to handle the family and any visitors that arrived on the stagecoach, Native Americans, and Church leaders passing through on their way south.  

Ira Hinckley and his family believed that all humankind are children of God - spiritual brothers and sisters - and they took seriously their responsibility to serve.  He developed a strong bond of friendship with the Native Americans.  

The inner court of the Fort.  We totally enjoyed our time at the Fort.  We enjoyed talking with the Senior missionaries and hearing their stories.  We really enjoyed learning about this area and the importance of it in the settling of the State.  I could imagine my Great Great Grandparents stopping at the Fort on their way to and from their home near Zion Park.  

GRANDKIDS

Logan hand turned Pen

Preslee Cheer Competition 

Logan has enjoyed working with wood.  The Young Men had an activity to learn how to turn wood on a lathe and he turned this pen from a rectangle piece of wood.  He really enjoyed the activity.  

Preslee had two Competitions this week for Cheer.  They placed 1st on Thursday and 3rd on Saturday.  

Adam Zuis turned 24 this month.  He is our #1 Grandson and it is hard to believe I have a 24 year old grandchild.  

BUNCO NIGHT

Emily hosted her Bunco group this month.  It was such a fun evening of all things Halloween.  She has the house decorated all things Halloween and the ladies loved it.  We served Dinner in a Pumpkin, Autumn Green Salad, Homemade bread, apples with caramel dip and a Cheesecake Bar with fresh fruit and chocolate sauce.  Between my cooking and Emily's decorating - it was a Party!  

Hydrangea  - last of the season before frost

ECLIPSE 2024

We drove about 30 miles South of Lindon to The Red Barn to view the Eclipse.  We thought it would be full of people but it was not busy except for all of the people that were there for the Fall Hay Ride and Pumpkin patch.  We set up our chairs and had our glasses on and ready to watch.  So many people came by and asked what we were doing and wished they had the glasses.  Eventually, several people joined us.  We really enjoy visiting The Red Barn for their famous Fresh Apple slush over caramel vanilla ice cream.  They also had fresh hot apple cinnamon donuts.  The drinks were so cold we could not drink them and two hours later they were still frozen and ready to drink!  

It got colder as the moon covered the sun and we were really glad to have blankets in the car.  

Notice in the first photo the Sun in the sky and the shadow of the eclipse on the side of the mountain in blue.  That was such a neat photo.  

The bottom photo was taken through my glasses over the lens of the camera.  It was a really fun morning for Russ and I and we loved taking in all of the beauty of the surrounding mountains, fall foliage and the Eclipse.  Oh, how I love the wonders and creations of God.  How Great Thou Art, How Great Thou Art!

Ring of Fire

HALLOWEEN

EMILY the WITCH

Halloween is a festive time at our home.  Emily delights in decorating her home and yard with all things Halloween.  We benefit from her work and efforts and it does make it spooktackular! 

Emily always has fun with dinner on Halloween.  She did not disappoint again this year.  Ribs with Macaroni and Cheese Brains, meatball eyeballs, black spaghetti with sauce, ghost chips and Witches Brew - Root Beer with Dry Ice and Orange Sherbet and Sprite.  Good Friends topped it all off before the Trick or Treaters 

                                                                                   were off for a night of fun!

Halloween Dinner

Brains, eyeballs, ghosts

Preslee as a Cute, Freaky Clown

Potions

THE WITCH IS IN

I would like to share a story as told by Kristin Kerley:

A few years ago we were vacationing at the beach and wanted to go to dinner.  When we arrived, the first thing I noticed was they were beautifully decorated for fall.  What stood out to me was that inthe middle of their pumpkins, was a bright yellow pumpkin like I had never seen before.  I mentioned it to the hostess, who actually ended up being an owner, and we discussed it's uniqueness about it while she sat our family to eat.

She said, "It just stood out at the Farmers Market!  I had to get it!"

We had the most wonderful dinner!  Throughout our meal we talked to the hostess, our waitress, otherh servers, their sweet dog, and I even chatted with some on my way to the bathroom.

We talked of children, families, the beach, traveling, dogs, church, and mission trips.  But mostly, Jesus and HIS love kept coming up . . .time and time again.

As we were about to leave, the owner came to our table carrying the yellow pumpkin.  She explained to us thath it had been a hard day at the restaurant.  She told us, "Your family brought God to our restaurant tonight and that's just what we needed."

And she handed me that yellow pumpkin.  I sobbed.

It was such a kind gift and even kinder words.  I carried that pumpkin home like we had won a million dollars and immediately put it in our foyer so we could see it every day!

About a month later I was praying about our family's purpose.  We arfe just ordinary people doing ordinary things.  Suddenly the words, "Be the yellow pumpkin!" Came into my mind.  I knew exactly what that meant.  

Stand Out.  Look different.  And share the love of Jesus wherever we go.

Now that's the motto for our family,

"BE THE YELLOW PUMPKIN!"                

Going to the store?  Be the yellow pumpkin.

School?  Be the yellow pumpkin.

Church?  Be the yellow pumpkin.

Park?  Be the yellow pumpkin.

Work?  Be the yellow pumpkin.

Driving?  Be the yellow pumpkin.

Wherever we go . . . Be the yellow pumpkin.

She thought she was handing us a pumpkin . . .what she was actually handing us was a reminder, a calling, a mandate.

That, "You are the light of the world.  A city built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, (deeds) and glorify your Father which is in heaven."  Matthew 5:14-16

RECIPES

Fajitas

1 Pound Riverbend Ranch Steak Strips

1 Green Pepper, diced

1 Red Pepper, diced

1 Onion, chopped 

Sauté  meat in 1 Tbl. Oil.

Add Peppers and Onion and sauté  until onion is translucent 

I used my Insta Pot and added Fajita Seasoning and 1 cup water and cooked for 3 min.  Serve with Tortillas and toppings of choice.

PUMPKIN PROTEIN SHAKE. 

This is great for Breakfast or a great dessert treat at night

2 Scoops Vanilla ProFlex Protein Powder

1/4 cup Canned Pumpkin

1/2 tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice

8 oz. Milk (your choice)

10-12 ice cubes

Blend and ENJOY!  

The last quarter of the year is always festive and it looks like we started off with a Grand October.  I am so grateful for this time of my life and I am grateful for every single day.  In the Shadow of the Silvery Full Moon a perfect way to end the adventures of October 2023.

The Grimmett's