January 2024 - Happy New Year

 

BE MORE IN 2024!  

Every year my Dad and I would come up with a slogan for the year.  I have continued to do that keeping the tradition going and motivating me to have a Mission Statement for the year.  This applies to my business ventures, family life, spiritual quest and in serving others.  Looking forward to all that will "BE" this year in my life.

Diogo and Ingrid

  We started the year with a visit from one of our former missionaries, Diogo Silva from Lisbon, Portugal, his fiance' Ingrid and his family.  What a special treat.  We served in Freiburg Germany with him - he was the first missionary we met on our mission and what an adventure we had with him.  We loved our time driving in the car and having he and his companions in our home.  He graduated from BYU-I in December and his family came from Portugal for that event and to spend Christmas in the USA.  It was so nice meeting his parents and grandmother.  

Silva Family

Diogo was hired by Goldman Sachs in Salt Lake City and so we hope to see him more in the coming year.  We love spending time with all of the former missionaries who blessed our lives so much while we served with them.  

January 4 we were off to Wichita, Kansas to spend a few days with Brian and his family.  

BATTLE OF THE BOOKS

Just like her Dad, Nora competed in the Battle of the Books at her school.  It was 3-5 grades competing against each other.  They have teams of 4 who each read 16 Books and then are asked questions about the books.  Each team member is responsible for knowing their books and the team with the most correct answers wins.  What a fun day in the school Library watching this competition.  

Nora's 3rd Grade team faced two fifth grade teams in the first two rounds.  They were awesome and beat each team by about 50 points.  Round three semifinals they were up against the other 3rd grade team.  They lost that round but it was very close.  One young man on the other team had read all 64 books and he was amazing.  Nora was with three boys but she was BOSS!  So fun to watch them work together as a team.  She is already looking forward to next year.  

Saturday was spent at the Indoor Soccer fields for a Footsol Game.  It

is like soccer but on a smaller scale.  It is off season play to keep them in shape and working together as a team.  Then we were off to Dave and Busters for a few hours of fun.  Amazing how fast you can burn through $100 playing games.  It was great watching and playing a few games with the kids.  

We ate great food at some of Brian and Beths favorite restaurants.  A special time was had with Joe and Anita Walker - Beth's parents who were with us for the 4 days we were there.  

The main reason for our visit was to be there for Sunday.  William turned 11 in November and that made him eligible to receive the Priesthood in the office of a Deacon at Church on Sunday.  He wanted his two Grandpa's to be a part of the ordinance.  Three of his friends also turned 11 and were ordained the same day.  It was a really special time for all of the young men.  William is the young man in the black suit.  We are so proud of him and grateful he wanted us to be there with him.

Joe Walker, Russ, Brian, William and Beth

January began with a lot of snow and continued for the first two weeks.  We got home from Wichita just in time before the next big storm hit.  Back to shuffling snow and enjoying the beauty of Winter.  Russ and I both got the stomach flu when we returned home and it wore us out trying to keep the snow cleared for those few days.  We would take turns and then be in bed for a day.  We knew if we did not keep up it would be impossible to move so much snow.  One day we were just too sick to go outside and a neighbor that seldom talks to us came over with his children and cleared our whole driveway.  It was truly a Tender Mercy.  It rained the last two weeks and just snowed in the mountains - just like we like it!  

I love this picture out of our front door.  It shows how much snow we got in just 1 night.  The snow is magical especially with the Christmas lights still up.  We are thinking we need to build some kind of awning over our stairs so we don't have to shovel so much snow next year.  Sounds like a good summer project.  

Just wanted to give a shout out to our granddaughter Emma who Lettered for being in her High School Color Guard.  She is a Freshman and really enjoyed the experience.  She will continue this Spring on the team. She is also in Choir and developing her love of singing.  We are excited for what the future brings for her.  

We attended the Wedding Reception for Jenna Hodnett and Miles Bowen.  We served with Jenna in Vienna.  We are happy for Jenna and Miles as they begin their life together.  They both graduated from Utah State in December and have begun the next phase of their lives.  Wishing them the very best.

One of the Highlights of the month was going to the ICE CASTLES AT SOLDIER HOLLOW.  I have wanted to go for a few years and we finally made it happen.  

Once Upon a Time. . . in a magical, snowy land called Alpine, Utah a loving father turned his front yard into an icy fairytale world for his kids.  Day after day, laughter and joy multiplied as children fro all over town came to play in the frozen front yard Kingdom.  The kids affectionately called it the "Ica Castle".  All from a father's love - magic and wonder were created, and Ice Castles was born.  Today, Ice Castles brings that same magic and wonder to thousands of Kids and Kids at Heart every Winter.  

They now have 4 locations of Ice Castles.  It was beyond what I could have even imagined.  The warmer weather the past two weeks has not been good for it, but it was still amazing and worth the visit.  

The Ice formations and the lighting was spectacular.  We walked and walked amid the ice formations from tunnels to igloos and even slides.  

Emily & Preslee

Ice Wall

The changing colors made it so interesting and added to the magic.  At one point I had a kind of spiritual experience - feeling like I was in Heaven.  We usually think of clouds and warmth when we think of Heaven and this was cold and yet there was a warmth and beauty in all of the white and blue.  At one spot you could not see the difference between the ice and the cloudy sky.  It was breathtaking.  

Preslee

clouds meeting ice

This was the sledding hill.  It was the favorite of the kids.  Emily and Preslee went down it a few times and had a blast.  It was fun to watch everyone having a great time and enjoying the experience.  

I can't even imagine how they create all of the structures.  It was a fun adventure that might have to become a tradition.  

Igloos

Another First for us was attending the ISO World Cup Speed Skating Competition at the Olympic Oval in Kearns, Utah.  

I have always enjoyed watching the Speed skating in the Olympics.  It was so much better being there at the Oval - The fastest Ice in the World!  We were on the second row right at the finish line.  Cheering them on and watching the speed and athleticism of each athlete was amazing.  They were skating at about 38 mph. 

We watched the 1000 meter womens and mens, 3000 meter womens and the Mens All In race

The Mens ALL IN is a field of about 24 who line up at the start by previous times.  The first three laps the stay together in a line as the pace is set.  On round 4 a bell rings and they scatter.  WOW!  that was amazing as the leaders take their places.  At about round 6 it all changes.  Those who set the pace get tired and others come from behind and take the lead.  3 skaters fell at different times and the rest kept going.  It was exciting watching it all come together and cheer on the winner.  

The USA Mens team was well represented with 19 year old, Jordan Stolz as he broke his first World Record as the continues to rrewrite speed skating history.  He clocked 1 minute 5.37 seconds in the 1000m.  What an exciting experience to see a World Record set.  He was a very nice young man who was very personable to anyone who wanted to take their picture with him.  

Another new experience for us - the adventures continue.  

While working for the Church Educational System for 23 years, I was always interested in the Sperry Symposium that was held annually at BYU.  Each year they would publish a Book from the Symposium and I always received it as an employee and really enjoyed learning from the papers presented.  This year we had the opportunity to attend at BYU.  It was a pleasant surprise when we walked in a saw Mick and Diane Smith - former Institute Director in Arlington that I worked with.  He was one of the presenters this year at the Symposium.  They invited us to sit with them in the reserved seating for the presenters.  Always nice knowing the right people.  The Keynote speaker was Sister Reyna Alburto former member of the Relief Society General Presidency.  She spoke on 2 Nephi 33 "I GLORY IN MY JESUS".  She bore a beautiful testimony of her experiences with the Book of Mormon and her testimony of Jesus Christ.  

She was followed by Elder Anderson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles who ended with a few remarks.  It is always a spiritual experience to be in the presence of one of the Apostles.  He said, "When we do of our own free will - we gain much from the experience."  I thought of all of the things I have done in my life because I chose to and how much I did gain from it instead of when I felt obligated or compelled to do it.  He asked a question that Boyd K Packer asked several years ago, "What will you remember when you have forgotten everything?"  He said, "put into your spirit 1 or 2 things to draw upon when you have forgotten everything else.  That gave me a lot to think upon.  

We then attended two classes.  #1.  The Pure Love of Jesus Christ and #2.  Book of Mormon "Trinitariansim" and the Nature of Jesus Christ.  They were both very deep and so interesting.  Finding God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost in ancient Egypt.  

I bought the book so I can study this more and learn - it was very fast and hard to grasp all of it.

Saturday morning I attended two more classes.  They were so insightful and inspirational.  The first one was THE LAW OF MOSES IN THE BOOK OF MORMON.    It was so helpful and will enhance this years study of the Book of Mormon.  The final class was with Mick Smith - UNDERSTANDING CHRIST INTHE BOOK OF MORMON.  He is a master teacher and I have always loved being in his classes.  He speaks on a level I can understand.  I was a delight sitting with Diane and 3 of their chidren who came to hear him.  A nice reunion with his family.  

January is a month we set goals for the year, make New Year Resolutions and think about Wellness and making changes in our life.  This January was no different for us.  Russ has been dealing with Diabetes for about 7 years and we are trying to find some better answers and solutions for his treatments.  The doctor finally had him try a continuous Blood Glucose monitor that usually is only available to Diabetics who use Insulin several times a day.  He has been using it the past 2 months and we have an appointment this week with a Diabetic specialist.  We are hopeful to get some answers to help get it regulated.  He has lost 20 more pounds in the past two months - not good, down to 160 pounds.  So, we have also been following the R3 Plan of Eating.  It has been an adventure of a different kind - lots of meal planning and preparation but making a difference for both of us.  I am trying to give him a few of my pounds!  

I will share a few of our favorite recipes we have tried this month.  

PHILLY CHEESESTEAK STUFFED PEPPERS

4 Green Peppers.                     1/2 Red bell pepper, sliced

2 Tbsp. Olive Oil, divided.      1 small red onion, sliced

Salt & Pepper to taste              2 cups shredded Mozzarella Cheese

8 oz. Riverbend Ranch Black

Label Beef Steak Strips            1 cup sliced mushrooms

1.  Preheat over to 400*.  Cut green peppers in half and deseed them.  Drizzle with 1 Tbl. Olive Oil, season generously with salt and pepper, and bake in a covered 9 x 13 inch dish for 10 min.

2.  Add 1 Tbl. of Olive Oil to a large frying pan and heat over high heat until oil is smoking.

3.  Add steak, season generously with salt and pepper, then sear for 1 minute per side.  Remove from heat and slice very thinly across the grain.

4.  In the same skillet, add mushrooms and cook for 2 min. Add onions and red peppers, sauteing for 2-3 min. until tender.  

5.  Remove green peppers from oven.  Divide steak and veggies among peppers, then top with cheese.

6.  Bake for 15 min. or until cheese is melted.  Serve.

MILLION DOLLAR CHICKEN BAKE

CHICKEN PATTIES

1 can  12.5 oz. Chicken (I use Costco Brand)

1 cup grated cheese

1 egg

1 tsp. Dry Ranch Seasoning

Mix together in bowl.

line a  baking sheet with parchment paper.  Scoop chicken mixture and place on baking sheet.  Spread into a pattie about 4 inch circle.  

Bake 400* for 20 min.  

CRUSTLESS PIZZA

1 Tbl. Olive Oil                           1/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

12 oz. Riverbend Ranch              1/2 green pepper, julienned

  Ground Beef                              2 small mushrooms, sliced

1/4 tsp. Garlic powder                 3 Tbl. sliced Black Olives

1/4 tsp. Salt                                  1 cup Shredded mozzarella

2 tsp. Italian seasoning                10 Pepperoni slices

Toppings are optional.  Select your favorite toppings.

1.  Preheat oven to 400*.  In a skillet, warm olive oil over medium heat, then cook ground beef until no longer pink.  

2.  Remove from the heat, stir in the garlic powder, salt, Italian seasoning and Parmesan.

3.  Spread the meat evenly in the skillet, then top with peppers, mushrooms, and olives.

4.  Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the skillet.  Top with pepperoni slices.

5.  Bake for 10-15 min, switching for broil mode at the end for 2 min. or until cheese is melted and browning on top.

6.  Serve as a meal on its own or with salad on the side.

AVOCADO TOAST

1 egg, beaten

1/4 cup grated cheese

Beat egg, add grated cheese.  Heat mini waffle maker.  Add 1/4 cup mixture and cook.  Repeat.  Makes 2

Spread with mashed avocado.  Can add a fried, poached or scrambled egg.  I like to sprinkle with Everything Bagel Seasoning.  

We have only had Christmas taken down for two weeks and all of the snowman decor put up.  It is the end of January and a Snow storm is coming tomorrow.  I think I will keep the snowmen up for a few weeks in February.  Time is just going too fast.  

We end January with 60* today and snow coming tomorrow to begin February.  What a crazy month of weather it has been.  We look forward to what February has in store.  

The Grimmett's