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