NOVEMBER
I am not always outside to enjoy the sunsets, but this past week they were spectacular. We worked in the yard for several days getting everything ready for Winter. We are making progress - only 3 trips to the Dump and a lot less work this Fall.
While we were cutting out overgrown vines in the Oak Trees I came upon this huge wasp nest. It is about 18 inches long and 12 inches wide. Needless to say I was done trimming vine.
We never tire of sitting on our favorite bench at the halfway point of our bike rides and taking in the beauty of the area. We were able to ride the whole month of November. On the left is a photo with a horse and rider on the trail - we don't see that very often and it was too picture perfect with the barn in the background.
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| November 30 |
Russ just taking in the sights and enjoying the rest stop.
Most days it was in the 40's and perfect bike riding weather. Wish we could do it year round but will go back to the rowing machine for the Winter.
In working on keeping healthy, I had my annual mammogram and a Dexa scan for Bone Density. All tests came back good and my Bone Density was improved from 2 years ago with the best report in 6 years. I am grateful something is working with these aging bodies!
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
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| Cranberry Tart |
We keep busy supporting her and enjoy watching her perform.
She is so beautiful as she dances on the Orem Jr. High Ball Room Dance team. Their Team took Silver at this Competition.
The big event was Preslee performing in the Oak Canyon Jr. High Presentation of The Little Mermaid. The had 5 performances and lots of practices that I tried to help get her to.
Emily volunteered to help with the costumes and set. She spent the whole week tirelessly creating the set and organizing the back stage with all of the costumes. We helped her make the large columns in the picture below. I think she enjoyed the play as much as Preslee. She was honored and recognized with a large bouquet of flowers at one of the performances for all of the work she did.
The play was so well done by all of the students. The music and acting was excellent. There is so much talent here in this area and it is so enjoyable attending these events. So proud of Preslee and her accomplishments.
BURLEY IDAHO LDS TEMPLE OPEN HOUSE
Knowing life is so temporary in the big scheme of things, Temples give us Hope, Faith, with the knowledge that Families are Forever and that we will be together again as a family even after we leave this earthly life.
"If there is any work in all the world that demonstrates the universality of God's love, it is the selfless work that goes on in these sacred houses." Gordon B. Hinckley, Oct. 1985
The Burley Temple is a smaller Temple but the inside was so beautiful decorated in the theme of the area with the Potato farms highlighted in the carpets and the murals showing the hills and amazing weather patterns in the area as well as the main focus on pictures of Jesus Christ. We had beautiful weather and just a delightful day together. We ate a a fun local Diner for lunch and then headed back home. It was worth the 7 hours in the car and time spent together visiting the Temple Open House.
It was amazing to hear all of the sounds the Bells can make and even more impressive to watch the performers enjoying performing and making amazing music.
FOOD - THE BEST OF NOVEMBER
We eat a lot of vegetables and I was able to buy butternut squash from a farmer for $1 each - I bought 12 and then needed to get creative on how to use them. This was so delicious!
Quinoa Sausage Stuffed Squash.
CRANBERRY-GLAZED ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH, SWEET POTATO AND BRUSSELS SPROUTS (I used Zucchini)
1 small butternut squash, peeled and cubed
1 lb Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved ( I used 2 zucchini’s quartered and cubed)
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
3 Tbl. olive oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 tsp. dried thyme (or fresh if you have it)
Cranberry Glaze:
1/2 cup cranberry juice
1/4 cup dried cranberries
2 Tbl. honey or maple syrup
1 Tbl. Balsamic Vinegar
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 400*
Toss the vegetables: In a large bowl, combine the cubed butternut squash, halved Brussels sprouts (or Zucchini), and cubed sweet potatoes. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt, pepper, and thyme, and toss to coat evenly.
ROAST: Spread the vegetables in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Roast for about 25-30 min, stirring halfway through, until the veggies are fork-tender and caramelized at the edges.
Make the glaze: While the veggies roast, in a small saucepan combine the cranberry juice, dried cranberries, honey/maple syrup, and balsamic vinegar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for about 8-10 min, stirring occasionally, until it reduces and thickens into a syrupy glaze.
Assemble the salad: Once the vegetables are done, transfer them into a large serving bowl. Drizzle the Cranberry Glaze over them and toss gently to coat.
Can top with crumbled goat cheese or Feta and extra dried cranberries op top.
Can serve warm as a side dish or slightly cooled. Enjoy!
8 oz. Cream Cheese, softened
6 oz. Cheddar Cheese, grated (about 1 3/4 cup)
3 oz. Gorgonzola Cheese, crumbles (about 1/2 cup)
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (adjust to taste. 1/8 tsp. to start)
1 small garlic clove, finely grated
2 scallions, thinly sliced (dark green parts separated)
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
3/4 cup chopped toasted pecans
1. Combine the cream cheese, cheddar, gorgonzola, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne, garlic, lights scallion parts, 1/4 cup dried cranberries, the salt and pepper in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is almost smooth (you still want a few bits of cheese and cranberries in there.)
2, Finely chop the remaining 1/2 cup dried cranberries, the dark green scallion parts and the pecans and toss in a shallow dish.
3. Scoop the cheese mixture from the food processor with a rubber spatula and add to the dish with the pecan mixture. Coat your hands with cooking spay and shape the cheese mixture into a ball. Roll and press the ball in the pecan mixture to coat. Refrigerate for t least 1 hour. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving. Serve with crackers or vegetables.
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| Pumpkin Cake Roll |
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| Neighbor Gifts filled with Pumpkin Cake Rolls |
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| CHERRY PIE |
PECAN PIE
3 well beaten eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup brown sugar
1 Tbl. flour
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
pinch salt
Cook together one cup of milk, one cup of brown sugar, three well beaten eggs, one tablespoon of flour and one half cup of finely chopped pecan meats in a saucepan until it begins to thicken. Cook over LOW heat about 7 min. It makes a custard. I used a double boiler and it worked great.
Preheat Oven to 425*
Line a 8 inch pie tin with pie crust, cover with foil and fill with layer of beans. Bake for 12 min. Remove foil and beans and bake an additional 5 min.
Turn oven down to 350*
Fill with filling ingredients. Add layer of pecan halves on top. Bake for 35 min. or until slight jiggle in middle.
For larger pie pan you will need to double the filling recipe.
I used 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips in the bottom of the pie shell before adding the liquid filling.
THANSGIVING
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| 23 Family members gathered |
Tis the Season to be Merry and Bright!
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| 2025 Christmas Photo |
MACY'S CHRISTMAS WINDOWS
Notice the train made of gingerbread and lots of jelly beans.
This was inspired by the artists son's story of Christmas in Antarctica. The animals as well as the flowers are the colors of the Aurora Borealis and are hand crafted suckers. Artist: Jennifer Polson Vesper
"I was inspired by the Macy's Big Brother
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| Love of Stories found in Books |
Big Sister bear design. Thanks for the Smithfield 13th Ward youoth who assisted me." Muyly Miller
These two windows were next door in a Bank Window Display. Downtown was so festive and filled with music, lights, happy people and all things Christmas.
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| Theme Ornament |
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| Family Christmas Tree |
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| Seven Brother's Special Burger |
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| Russ at the Assembly Hall |
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| The Holy Family |
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| The Names of Jesus were throughout the Display |
After all the food, activities, concerts, busyness of the season, I am most grateful for my relationship with Jesus Christ and his presence in my life. I am grateful for my family and the blessings of the Temple that give us the opportunity to be an Eternal Family together forever. I am grateful for friends who enrich my life and help me see and share the light of Jesus Christ with others. I am "trying to be like Jesus" and Love as He Loves. So grateful to know I Am A Child of God and to share that knowledge with others.
Russ and I were set apart to be Ordinance Workers in the new Lindon Utah Temple this month. The Open House will be March 12 through April 11, 2026. The Temple will be dedicated on Sunday, May 3, 2026 and will open on Tuesday, May 5 when we will begin serving every Tuesday morning. We look forward to this new opportunity to serve.
May the Peace of the Season Bless you in the coming days.
This day was the perfect end to a week of Thanksgiving and Gratitude and the beginning of the Christmas Season. We are so excited to transform our home into a Nativity Display to share with all who will come. Let the Season begin!
Love,
The Grimmett's
