NOVEMBER 2024 - GRATITUDE, FAMILY, FRIENDS AND FOOD

 

November was filled with many projects and service helping family and getting ready for Winter around the house.  We had many adventures but they were all at home - we did not have to travel to experience all of the crazy things that happened this month.  

FAMILY

Joshua had a few days of vacation time from work and came for a visit.  We always enjoy having him home.  It was a 12 hour drive from Portland to Lindon.  

We filled the Tuesday with all things Brazil.  We had lunch at Tuscano's to celebrate Emily's Birthday and Veteran's Day.  They each got a free meal and Russ and I enjoyed being with them to celebrate Emily and to honor Joshua as a Veteran.  I had a Church activity that night so Russ and Josh went to In -N-Out Burgers - it had been three years since Josh had eaten a burger from there and it was on his list of things to do.  Portland does not have very many chain restaurants and he was missing a good burger.  

Wednesday we took the Front Runner Train to Salt Lake City and went to The LEONARDO MUSEUM.  We had never been to this museum and our neighbor had extra tickets and gave them to us.  The current exhibits were Flight and AI.  I did not know that Leonardo Da Vinci was more than a painter.  He also made important discoveries in mathematics, anatomy, engineering, cartography, sculpture, botany, and geology.  It took the courage to challenge assumptions and combine familiar ideas in surprising new ways.  Although ahead of their time and the available technology, Leonardo's ideas for human flight demonstrate his willingness to pursue ideas other thought crazy.  "Even in our highly specialized world, Innovation has always required creative connections across seemingly unrelated fields.  The Leonardo believes this is still how innovation works and that Utah is home to many modern "Leonardos", waiting to be discovered.  

Josh enjoyed flying an airplane on the flight simulator - he chose to fly over Mt. Saint Helens - an area he has driven around and hiked many times.  

The AI room was amazing.  It was a multi-media experience with beautiful pictures and information telling about the good and bad of AI.  

It ended with PEACE - something I seek daily and pray for always.

"A state of tranquility and harmony characterized by the absence of conflict and violence.  It embodies mutual understanding, cooperation, and the resolution of disputes through diplomacy, fostering a stable and inclusive environment for individual and collective well-being."

AI has limitations - it is filled with knowledge and facts but currently has no feeling - no heart.  It is only through Jesus Christ that we can find the PEACE that is described above.  I am so grateful to know that Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace.  

We ended the day with Dinner at Pitada Brazil - This is Joshua's favorite Brazilian restaurant.  They serve homestyle food and we all love it. It is owned by a Brazilian family and when Josh knew how to pronounce the names of the foods they asked if he had served a mission in Brazil.  They then started talking to him in Portuguese.  It was a fun experience.  

This little corner in my home defines Joshua perfectly.  He arrived with his Texas hat, two pairs of his hand made boots and his new hobby - Drone.  A special treat was giving him one of my Dad's legendary hats - he enjoys wearing dress hats and looks really nice in it.  This picture says a lot about Josh.  

EMILY'S 41st BIRTHDAY!

Emily invited a few friends over to celebrate and I made her favorite Red Velvet cake.  

She is amazing as she pushes through a lot of pain, works out daily to take care of self both body and mind, and manages her home and children as a fierce loving momma.  

BALLROOM DANCE COMPETITION SEASON BEGINS!

Preslee is in her second year of Ballroom and we really enjoy watching her competitions.  She has a great partner (he is the quarterback on the school team and is not sure he will stay with ballroom) and they really dance beautifully together.  They received a Gold at this competition.  

Preslee in formation

PAM'S PLACE

Last month we helped my Sister move out of her Condo and this month we helped her to get her new home ready for move-in day and the move.  We built new shelves for two closets, installed shelves in the linen closet, installed two additional kitchen cabinets, delivered an additional kitchen cabinet, desk and bathroom cabinet and installed tub/shower safety rails.  The move went really good and she is getting settled in her new home.  

I wish I was a little closer - just an hour away - but I don't get up to see her as much as I would like.  We both stay busy with life and cherish our time together.

Pam at new home

FALL CLEANUP AND HOUSE PROJECTS

Russ and I worked really hard in the yard and took 4 truck loads of the piles of brush and tree branches collected over the summer to the city cleanup dumpsters.  We just about filled the whole dumpster with our trees.  Get me a chain saw and big things happen.  We are ready for Winter except for the forever falling leaves!

The Bathroom project for Emily continues to be the elephant in the room.  We worked really hard to have the bathroom finished by the 15th of November before the Holidays began.  We got the shower walls tiled and grouted and they are beautiful.  I began working on tiling the floor.  The more I got into it we realized the shower pan was not installed correctly.  I had to tear out what I had done and try to fix the drain problem.  I let the mud dry and then continued the floor.  When it was all done - a 3 ft. by 8 ft. area - it was clear it was not right.  At 7:30 pm the plumber called and said he was on his way to finish his job.  He came and put the shower fixtures in and installed the tub and fixtures.  WHOOPS!  He had measured wrong for the drain and then installed the bath tub backwards.  He said he would come back and make it right - two weeks later and he still has not come back.  He looked at the shower floor and said it would not work and we had to remove all of the tile - a really hard job because I did a really good job installing - it was going to last many years.  I have not been able to even think about the shower the past two weeks.  We still need to figure out how to fix the problem and then Emily needs to pick out new flooring.  It might have to be a project for the cold days of January.  The first day of having the bathtub working we had another disaster.  WATER is not our friend in this house.  There is a flaw in the design of the new fixture and the water to the hand held fixture did not completely turn off and was on all night.  We woke up the next morning to water coming through the ceiling in the kitchen - YES, the very same spot the original problem began December of 2022 when the whole bathroom was torn apart to find the leak.  The ceiling was finally repaired about 6 months ago and now it was raining water again.  So, the bathroom continues to be a work in progress and we hope the new year brings completion and on to other projects.  

Our Son-in-law Andrew has been a Professional Santa for the past 10+ years and continues this Season.  He has already had several gigs and he saves his vacation time from work to use for his busy schedule in December.  He is so good at spreading the magic of Christmas.  

I finally updated my Grandkids wall after 5 years - they have all grown up and I only had a few of their pictures.  It is so nice seeing these new pictures and having them all there.  

FRIENDS

BUNCO NIGHT

Emily and I hosted the Bunco group this month.  It was a festive night and so fun to share our home and food.  We had 11 women for a dinner of Chicken Bundles, Roasted Butternut squash, Asparagus, Fall Pear Cranberry lettuce salad and Pumpkin cake roll for dessert.  Emily put together really festive gifts with festive decorative glass decanters filled with spiced and dried fruits that you fill the decanter with hot water, steep overnight and add to sparkling water.  They were a big hit.  

CUMORAH FAMILY

Sunday evening we hosted a gathering of former students and staff from our Cumorah experience who are currently living in Utah.  It was a really special evening meeting new spouses, future spouses, family and just being together again.  We had Yevheniia (Ginger) from Ukraine and her husband, Ryker from Kentucky, Cami (staff member) and her brother, Logan, Jenna (staff member) and her fiance' David from Ecuador, Nikky from El Salvador and Mariia from Ukraine and her new husband Yohan from Brazil both Cumorah students.  

It was fun having them experience a little more American culture and foods.  We had cream cheese stuffed Pork Loin, Maple Roasted Butternut squash, Green Beans, Fall Green Salad with apples and pomegranate and homemade bread.  We ended the meal with a choice of Pumpkin Roll and Gluten Free Chocolate cream pie.  The Chocolate Pie is a family favorite but I made a new gluten free crust that was amazing.  I will share recipe at the end.  

German Chocolate Cream Pie

Our experience at Cumorah was life changing.  We have been so blessed to know people from all over the world and to call them family.  We have watched lives change as they felt Love and the knowledge that we are all children of God who loves each one of us from whatever country we come from.  Ginger was asked to write her story for our Church magazine the LIAHONA.  It was published in the December issue and I would like to share it with you.  

THE FREEDOM TO  CHOOSE CHRIST by Yevheniia (Ginger) Zinchenko Webb

When I was a baby, I was baptized into the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.  Growing up, the fact that I never made the choice to be baptized unsettled me.  I started to think that religion didn't allow me the freedom to choose for myself.  So I eventually stopped believing in God or anything spiritual.  One day, I was talking to my friend who was in Czechia doing a study program affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  She invited me to do the program too.  I wasn't interested originally, but after a while, I decided to check it out.

I liked the school's overall message of positivity, so I gave in and applied.  But I had no interest in the program's focus on Jesus Christ.  Or so I thought.

FEELING CONFLICTED

This academy made me live differently than I was used to.  First, I learned that I wasn't allowed to drink coffee on campus!  My freedom was already slipping through my fingers.

Along with that, every morning started with a mandatory devotional.  I would mostly sleep through them because I wasn't interested.  I was just there to learn and then live my life the way I wanted to.

But after a while, I noticed the people around me who were taking Jesus Christ's teachings seriously.  In Ukraine, many people only went to church a few times a year, but here, everyone was always talking about Christ.  They were kind, good, and positive about life.

I started to wonder what my life would be like if I believed in Him too.  Sometimes I even caught myself thinking, "What would Jesus's perspective be?"

WAS THIS REAL?

I felt confused.  I told one of my friends at the academy about how I was feeling torn.  He invited me to try praying about my feelings.  

On one foggy morning, I decided to find a quiet place to meditate outside.  I don't know what came over me, but instead of meditating, I gave God the benefit of the doubt.  I said, "OK, let's talk."

And I said the longest prayer of my life.

I just wanted to know if God and Jesus Christ were real.

As I was praying, the sun pierced through the fog.  I felt its warmth on my skin and warmth in my heart.  I felt like someone's hand was on my shoulder, telling me They were right there with me.

The message was clear:  They were real.  They were aware of me.

I also realized something else.

Looking at those who were living the gospel of Jesus Christ, I didn't see anybody being forced to do things they didn't want to do or feeling restricted by their faith.  I saw them choosing to live like Jesus Christ because they wanted to.

In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Moroni extends his promise through an invitation, not a command, "If ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will lmanifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost." (Moroni 10:4)

I realized I wanted to Choose Him too.

IMPERFECT DISCIPLESHIP

 From then on, I took learning about Jesus Christ seriously.  I accepted missionary lessons.  I studied the Book of Mormon.  I prayed every day.  I even got baptized! (My choice this time!). This was all so new to me, but I felt my heart changing.

I still have a lot to learn, and I am so imperfect, but I always say to myself, "Let's just try to be like Christ today.  Just keep trying."

Elder Joaquin E. Costa of the Seventy beautifully taught:

"At times, having faith in Jesus Christ may seem like something impossible, almost unattainable. We may think that coming unto Christ requires a strength, power, and perfection we don't have, and we just can't find the energy to do it all.  But . . . faith in Jesus Christ is what gives us the energy to begin the journey."

Jesus Christ can change us if we give Him the chance and keep trying.  He doesn't limit our freedom.  Instead, He offers us even more through His Atonement: joy, healing, and hope.

We have the freedom to choose Him every day, and I'm grateful for the miracles my choice to follow Him brings into my life.

We are so grateful to know Ginger and all of the other students who continue to bless our life.

Sarah, one of the missionaries we served with stared in the On Pitch Performing Arts production of Almost MAINE.  We joined our Mission friends, the Lloyd's and Homer's to attend and support Sarah in her performance.  What a fun evening at the theatre and ice cream to top it off.  We love it when our mission family gets together and especially when we are invited to see what they are doing in their lives.  After the performance Sarah announced that she and her husband are expecting their first child.  So exciting to celebrate her good news!

THANKSGIVING

Preslee wanted to help with the Rolls for dinner.  I always use Jody Van Drimmelen's recipe for refrigerator rolls.  Preslee rolled out the dough and cut and rolled them.  First try without flour and then we floured the board and they turned out great.  In the end they baked the same and tasted great.  It is fun having a granddaughter who wants to learn and spend time with Grandma.  

We invited my Sister, Pam and her daughter and three girls who were visiting from out of town.  We were so glad to have more people to share our feast with.  We had so much food and a great time was had by all.  

I tried a new recipe for sweet potatoes with apples and it is a new favorite.  I also made a fresh pumpkin with coconut gluten free crust and a gluten free pecan pie.  We could enjoy a delicious feast and enjoy some of our favorites without the sugar and flour that Russ stays away from to keep his diabetes in check. 

Three Dinner parties in 1 week was a lot of shopping, cooking and preparing.  It is one of the things I love doing and doesn't happen very often with other people.  I just don't get the same enjoyment cooking for Russ and I every day!  

I am so grateful for the blessings of a warm home where the spirit of Jesus Christ can dwell, food to feed those who enter, family and friends who choose to come and good health that allows us to serve others.  Russ is still healing from his hand surgery and it is amazing all that he has been able to do with limited use.  Good therapy to keep it moving!

We ended the month of November ringing in the Christmas Season with the Gentri Christmas Concert at the Eccles in Salt Lake City.  A Magical evening of outstanding music with Emily, her friend Cheryl, my sister Pam and Russ and I.  This has become a new tradition for us since we have moved to Utah.  

Gentri on Stage

So grateful to family and friends who read this Blog and share in our experiences.  For all of our Texas friends we would like to invite you to go visit the Nativity Display in Granbury Texas.  It is dear to our hearts and a great get away for an afternoon in historic Granbury.  

Location in Granbury

UTAH FRIENDS AND FAMILY:

We would like to invite you to our Nativity Open House

SUNDAY DECEMBER 15.          4:00 - 9:00 PM

MONDAY DECEMBER 16          5:00 - 9:00 PM

1064 E. 140 N.  Lindon, UT

Come and share in the Spirit of Christmas with us.

The Grimmett's

RECIPES:

GERMAN SWEET CHOCOLATE PIE WITH GLUTEN FREE CRUST

Crust:  No Sugar Brownie

1/2 cup almond flour

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 cup powdered sugar substitute (monk fruit, stevia, etc.)

1 large egg

1/4 cup melted coconut oil

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp baking powder

Pinch of salt

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350*.  Line bottom of pie tin with parchment paper

2.  Make the Batter:

In a bowl, whisk together the almond flour, cocoa powder, powdered sweetener, baking powder, and salt.  In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, melted coconut oil, and vanilla.  Combine the wet ingredients witht he dry ingredients, mixing until smooth.

3.  Spread the batter:

Pour the batter into the prepared pie tin, spreading thinly and evenly in the bottom and up the sides.

4.  Bake for 12-15 min. or until the edges are firm.  Be careful not to overbake as it will continue to crisp as it cools.

*Can be made in a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Spread thinly and evenly using a spatula to form a large rectangle.  Bake for 12-15 min or until surface is slightly cracked.  Let cool completely on the baking sheet, then bream them into pieces.  Great treat.

FILLING

4 oz. German sweet chocolate

1/3 cup milk - divided

2 Tbl. sugar

3 oz. cream cheese

8 oz. Cool Whip.  (I used 8 oz. of fresh whipping cream, whipped till stiff)

* can use a graham crust instead of crust above.

Heat:  chocolate and 2 Tbl. of milk in microwave until chocolate is melted.  

Beat:  sugar into cream cheese.  Add remaining milk and chocolate mixture and beat till smooth.  Fold in whipped topping or cream, blend until smooth.

Spoon: into crust.  Freeze till firm, 4 hrs.  Remove from freezer about 30 min. before serving.  Garnish with chocolate curls.  I use vegetable peeler on chocolate bar to make curls.