FEBRUARY 2024
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| Winter has arrived |
with a lot of snow! We ended the month with a 60* day and today it
is freezing and a snow blizzard!
We have shoveled a LOT of SNOW!
The beauty of the snow is worth the work. Living on the foothill of the mountain is so beautiful and I am in awe every day of the view.
February is an interesting month with Winter days, Bright Sunny Days and everything in between. Emily planned a trip to California to Universal Theme park for her kids Christmas present. We kept watching the weather forecasts and hoped for the best weather.
We began on trip on Thursday afternoon and headed to Saint George, Utah as our first stop. The weather was good with a forecast of a light snow around Cedar City. It had rained the week before in California and caused a lot of flooding and we were so glad the forecast was for sunny days. About an hour into our drive the rain and then snow started. Between Beaver and Cedar City there was an accident and the road was at a standstill for 1 1/2 hours. The snow was very heavy and cold and the windshield wipers starting clumping with a snow ball and it was difficult driving conditions. We finally made it to Cedar and were able to stop for gas and clean off the windshield. It took 15 minutes of scraping and pounding to get all of the ice off the car. The headlights and front grill had about 2 inches of solid ice/snow on it. The snow stopped and the roads were clear to Saint George. We were trying to make it to the Open House of the new Red Rock Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint.
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| Preslee & Logan |
We made it to the last tour group of the night. It was truly peace after the storm. The colors in the interior were so beautiful with purple, yellows and earthy colors. The artwork was stunning,
Preslee liked seeing herself in the reflecting pool.
This was such a special time together and a great break in the drive. We got some dinner and continued on to Las Vegas.
We were up very early and on the road so we could make it to Universal by early afternoon. We had a great drive - the kids were so excited to get to California they were up and ready and made the drive a good experience.
UNIVERSAL CITY
No one told me I would be walking up and down stairs the whole time I was there. Our first adventure was taking the escalator down the mountain to the lower park. It took three sections and one was over 250 stairs. So grateful they had escalators!
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| Logan In Mario World |
PHOTE BOMB OF UNIVERSAL
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| Ready for the Experience |
DESPICABLE ME. MINION MAYHEM. THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS
was the next stop on the list. It was a little calmer on the brain and a lot of cute fun.
One of the highlights for Logan was getting to eat at Toadstool Cafe. They only take reservations and the first day we arrived too late in the day to get a reservation, The Second day we got there early and it was still filled when we tried. They did not tell us to keep trying throughout the day because they always had cancellations or more tables open up depending on staff. We did not know how we would tell Logan we could not get reservations. We waited until Dinner time and he was devastated - Not good for an Autistic Kid. We asked at the door if there was any way we could get a table. They showed us how to work the App and for 2 hours Emily and Logan sat at the door and pushed the button on the App waiting for an opening. I took Preslee to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter so she would be happy. We got a call from Emily that we got a table and we high tailed it back to the lower land and the Adventure Began. This picture shows how happy Logan was. His Dream was Coming True. Emily said he was praying for much of the two hours - this is a kid who does not pray! When they got the table she told him his prayers were answered and he smiled - that is progress!
The experience is not just about the food but about the ambiance and staff in the restaurant. WARNING!! Their signature menu item - a 1 pound meatball covered in cheese and sauce called Bowser's Fireball Challenge for $24.99 was too hot for a normal person to eat. Fire Flower spaghetti and meatballs was also so spicy hot you could not eat it. I was glad I got the. Chicken Salad. We had no idea the food was going to be so hot - Logan said, "Mom, the menu says Fireball, what did you expect?" We think for a family restaurant there should have been a warning. All of the tables around us felt the same and left a lot of the food on their plates. The presentation was amazing, but at that price if you can't eat the food it is not worth it. Logan did not care how hot - he was going to eat the whole thing and he did!
It was magical entering this area. I loved the huge castle and the English village. The shops were so fun and there was just a neat atmosphere inside. Much calmer than being in Nintendo World.
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| Secret Life of Pets |
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| Happy Boy |
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| Super Nintendo World |
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| Mr. Beanpole Cake and Princess Peach Cupcake |
THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER
Preslee was now in her element. It was enjoyed by all. A special experience was going to the world of wands and experiencing their show with magic wands and then getting a personal fit for the best wand for Preslee.
The main ride was a thrilling experience. I can't believe I did it without getting sick. When I was young I love the thriller rides at carnivals but as an adult they just were not for me. The last rides I went on were 20 years ago at 6 flags - the Conquistador just about did me in. This was a different experience and we like it so much we went on it three times! I learned keeping my eyes open was better than closing my eyes. SO FUN!
OK - My real highlight of the day was getting my first frozen Ginger Beer. It was SOOOO Good. I would go back just to get one.
I even went on the Roller Coaster. It was very mild - so glad and we all had a great time.
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| The crew of Harry Potter |
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| Buckled in for the Experience |
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| Wand Shop |
After all of the excitement of these activities, it was time to take the
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS TOUR - THIS was a real highlight for me - more my speed - riding in a tour van and enjoying the 1 hour tour sitting down.
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| 2 Dimensional City |
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| Flintstones |
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| Harry Potter |
We saw the lagoon from Giligan's Island, the Water and dock of Jaws - including the shark. The western city where many John Wayne films were made and so many houses from some of our favorite childhood homes.
Below is the Leave It to Beaver House. How fun is that seeing it today.
This was my first time seeing a movie set and I really enjoyed the experience. It was the perfect break for everyone.
It would not be a trip to California without a trip to the Beach. We spent a few hours at Malibu Beach - I stayed wrapped in a blanket while the kids braved the cold and played on the boogie boards in the water. It was about 50 degrees and a beautiful sunny day. We went in the afternoon so it would be warmer and so we could see the sunset. Oh, it was so worth it. I just enjoyed the Hot Tub back at the Hotel to have my water experience.
The setting sun was so beautiful on the Ocean. We watched it until it was gone on the horizon. The colors were so vibrant and just glowed.
MALIBU BEACH
Traveling with kids is a whole new experience after many years of no kids. They were great and we were all tired at the end of the days so everyone went right to bed. Kids snore - move a lot on the bed - and Logan had alarms set every hour after 4:00 am until 8:00 am. I DO NOT sleep through alarms. He did not even hear them. After the second night I took his phone and wrapped it in a blanket. He finally
turned it off for night 3. I was so grateful. I probably needed ear plugs -
they have headphones and earbuds in their ears most of the time!
Inspite of everyone - we made it through and had a special family time together having new and exciting adventures. I am grateful they invited to me go along - it was a great way to celebrate my 68th Birthday while we were there. I think I did really good keeping up with all of them and was able to be a "kid" again.
A former neighbor in Twin Falls Idaho when I was in High School and College and a dear friend of my parents, passed away and his funeral was in Salt Lake the next day. We stayed with my Sister Pam for the night and then met up with our Brother Tad and went to the funeral.
Preslee had two competitions this month for her Ballroom Dance Team. We love watching her dance and to see how graceful she is and also full of energy.
Preslee is also taking a sewing class at school and asked me to help her learn to sew. We made a bookmark and then she wanted to make a pillow. She went through my fabric and found a fun Hawaiian print. She measured and cut it out, sewed it together and then stuffed it. At the end I taught her how to hand stitch it closed. We had a great time together and I hope we can do more together.
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| Memories of Ellis T. Smith |
We got to see friends from Idaho and oh so many memories or my parents and life growing up with these people.
BALLROOM DANCE TEAM
Her second competition was a team competition and she and her partner got Silver for the Cha Cha and her team took Gold for the entire event. It was a great way to end the season. I hope she continues to dance on the team and perfect her skills.
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| Team Oak Canyon |
HOME PROJECTS
I think the transformation turned out beautiful. I really like how the color turned out and the finish. The chest of draws next to this new piece was my Aunt Junes and she gave it to me shortly after we were
married. I have had it for almost 50 years and she had had it for at least 50 years. I have refinished it a few times and I wanted to keep it - I am pretty sentimental.
We found another armoire for our TV and more storage that was a similar color and it finishes the room off. I love it! I used Mineral Fussion Paint and water based Polyurethane and it worked great.
Okay - these projects were needed and were finished just in time to have the February Relief Society Gathering at our home.
We then filled 40 Quart jars with Chicken Tortilla Soup Mix. They will be used for people in our area who need a meal when they are sick or otherwise in need. Our Relief Society makes about 70 meals per year for families in our Ward and this will help feed some of those families.
We ended the month at a Political Rally at UVU University. Utah Republicans use a Caucus system and it will be held on March 5. I have not been to a Presidential Rally before and it was a great experience to help us learn more about the candidates and the options for us this election year.
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| Assembly Line filling Jars |
CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP MIX IN A JAR
Yields: 12 cups of soup
INGREDIENTS FOR JAR
1 cup Long Grain Rice, converted or regular
2 - 2 1/2 cups crushed Tortilla Chips
1 can Chicken
1 (10 oz.) can Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies (Rotel)
SEASONING MIX
Mix the following seasonings and place in a think zipper bag
2 Tbl. Chicken Bouillon granules
2 tsp. powdered lemonade mix, with sugar
1 tsp. Lemon Pepper
1 tsp. Dried Cilantro
1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp. ground Cumin
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/4 cup Dried Onion Flakes
DIRECTIONS:
1. In a Quart Wide Mouth Jar, place rice, pressing down carefully
2. Add seasoning packet
3. Put crushed Tortilla Chips in a zip lock bag and place in jar.
4. Close with lid.
5. I put in a sack with 1 can of Chicken and 1 can of Rotel Tomatoes
DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING SOUP
1. Remove tortilla chips from jar and set aside.
2. Remove seasoning packet and set aside.
3. Pour Rice into a large pot for cooking.
4. Add 10 cups of water, seasoning packet, Chicken and can of Tomatoes and Green Chilies.
5. Cook for 20 minutes until rice is soft.
6. Add Tortilla chips and cook for about 5 min.
7. Serve
OPTIONAL: I cook in my Instapot for 7 minutes and then add the tortillas and serve.
CIVIC DUTY 2024
February was a very busy month of travel, birthdays, Valentine's Day, Funerals, Doctor Appointment’s and all the normal day to day things. We continue on our health journey and trying to find better solutions for Russ' Diabetes treatments. He is beginning a new program and we are excited to see the results.
RECIPES:
VALENTINE'S DAY
Delicious steak dinner at home and did not have to fight the crowds or wait hours for dinner at a restaurant. A Hallmark Movie and Dinner at home for a great evening.
CAULIFLOWER HASH BROWNS
1 small head of cauliflower or 1 bag frozen cauliflower rice. (I used the mexican blend from Trader Joes)
1 Egg
1/4 cup Cheddar Cheese, grated
1/4 tsp. Cayenne Pepper
1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/8 tsp. Pepper
Preheat oven to 400*
2. In a mixing bowl, combine grated cauliflower, egg, cheese, and seasonings.
3. Form the mixture into six square or oval-shaped hash brown patties on a greased baking tray. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
SPAGHETTI SQUASH TACO BAKE
INGREDIENTS:
1 large spaghetti squash
1 Tbl. Olive Oil
1 pound ground meat: turkey or beef
3 Tbl. taco seasoning
1 can Rotel Tomatoes and Green Chilies
1 cup canned corn (optional)
1/2 cup yellow onion, chopped
1 cup shredded cheese
fresh cilantro
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 400*. Place spaghetti squash halves on a baking sheet, 
2. While the squash is roasting, brown your ground meat and onion in a large skillet over medium heat until it is fully cooked. Once cooked, drain any grease out and add the taco seasoning, tomatoes, and corn and cook for 2-3 min.
3. Once the squash is cooked and cooled slightly for handling, use a fork and scoop out the inside of each squash half. The result will be noodle-like strands of squash. Transfer the spaghetti squash to the skillet with everything else.
4. Stir all together. I used my cast iron skillet and just kept it in the skillet. You can transfer to a 9x13 baking dish. Top with cheese and chopped cilantro. Bake for 15 min. or until the cheese has melted.
As we finish up the month we are grateful for all of the blessings we have received through Jesus Christ. Our granddaughter Nora had her Tonsils and adenoids taken out and recovered well. Emily continues to heal from her accident and to move on from her divorce. GrandsonAdam continues to heal from his concussion - had over 40 pounds of frozen turkeys fall on his head at work. It has been a long slow process but he is making progress in healing. Every day brings challenges, experiences to grow from, exciting adventures, opportunities to serve others and so many blessings to help us keep going.
We love watching to progress of the Lindon Temple in our neighborhood. The spires were put on a few weeks ago and it can be seen for miles. They have started laying the stone on the outside walls - it is beautiful. We have another year of construction and will continue to share the progress. So grateful for the blessing of the Covenants that are made in these special Temples of God.
I love to see the temple. I'm going there some day.
To feel the holy Spirit, To listen and to pray.
For the temple is a house of God,
A place of love and beauty.
I'll prepare myself while I am young;
This is my sacred duty.
I love to see the temple. I'll go inside some day.
I'll covenant with my Father; I'll promise to obey.
For the temple is a holy place
Where we are sealed together.
As a child of God, I've learned this truth:
A family is forever.
