Getting Fit 4 Fall - September beauty

 I started the month of September in Utah and ended with a trip to Minnesota to spend time with family there.  I love the change of seasons and this year the weather has been a welcome relief as we move into Fall.  Hot days and cool nights help to finish off the fall crops and make them ready for harvest.  

Covid has affected each of our lives in different ways.  I have enjoyed the time of quiet study, pondering, renewal of spirit and body, family time, FaceTime, and making the house our home again.  With all of that, our activity level, weight, overall health was not where we wanted to be or what we were used to.  So, we decided to turn over a new leaf and to get Fit4Fall!  I was having a hard time cooking for just the two of us and just was not motivated to do a lot in the kitchen.  That all changed this month as I have made preparations for a 6 week wellness challenge.  I have spent a lot of time in the kitchen and I have loved being back in the groove of healthy eating.

It all started with finding a great deal on long squash (like zuchinni) and cauliflower.  I bought a case of each and came home and started the process of spiraling and cubing the squash and ricing the cauliflower to put in the freezer.

CAULIFLOWER SALAD

1 small Cauliflower - cut into small bites

3 hard boiled Eggs, chopped

2 Tbl. Dill Pickles, minced

1 Tbl. Red onion, minced

1 Tbl. Apple Cider Vinegar

3/4 cup Mayonnaise

2 tsp. Dijon Mustard

1/2 tsp. Celery Salt

1/2 tsp. Dried Dill

Salt & Pepper to taste

1-2 stalks celery, diced (optional)

Microwave Cauliflower until slightly tender 8-10 min.  Can steam - Do not boil in water.

Drain.  Pat dry with paper towel.

Put cauliflower in large bowl.  Add pickles, onion and egg.

In separate bowl mix remaining ingredients for dressing.

Pour over cauliflower while still warm.  Toss Well.

Store in fridge at least 1 hr.  Flavors blend if made ahead.

This is one of my favorite recipes and it makes a large bowl.  

My new bread is actually Egg Bread and gluten free.  We use it for sandwiches, breakfast sandwich, open faced cheese bread, etc.

CLOUD BREAD

4 large eggs, separated                          

1/2 tsp. Cream of tarter

2 oz. low-fat cream cheese

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Italian seasoning

1/4 tsp. Garlic powder or to taste

Preheat oven to 300*
Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper

1. Separate the eg white and egg yolks

       Place the whites in a stand mixer with whip.  Add cream of tarter and beat on high until it 

       Turns into firm meringue peaks.  Move to another bowl.

2.    Place cream cheese in empty bow.  Beat to soften.

3.    Add egg yolks one a t a time to incorporate.  Scrape bowl and beat until smooth.  Beat in

       Italian seasoning, salt and garlic.

4.    Gently fold in firm meringue.  Softly blend.  Spoon 1/4 cup portions onto sheets.  Spread 

        4 inch circle about 3/4 inch high.  6 per pan.

5.     Bake about 30 min.  Bake until firm on outside and golden.

        Cool for several minutes.  Store in airtight bag in fridge.  Best within 12 hours

This is so good.  It is good with Chicken salad, ham, turkey and cheese,  It makes a great breakfast sausage cheese sandwich or any meat of choice.  It made a great cheese and pepperoni sandwich.  Possibilities are endless.

Lettuce Tacos

I could share pages of creations from this month, but I will spare you the rest of the details.  Suffice it to say we have eaten really well the past few weeks and it is paying off.  

We also participated in a virtual 5K Walk/Run  - our first time on record.  It was a beautiful Saturday morning and it took us 50 min.  I know, not a record breaking event, but an enjoyable 5 K walk.  Pictures are at the beginning and at the end.  We walk two miles most mornings so this was just a little more of a stretch and it felt good.

Russ spends every day studying the scriptures and reading books from his favorite authors.  He reads 2 or 3 different ones every day and finishes a book (novel) in just a few days.  

I feel accomplished if I get my scripture reading and study in every day and a few pages in a good book.

I would highly recommend THE PILGRIM HYPOTHESIS as a great read.  It is by Tim Ballard and I have also enjoyed his other books.  It is very timely for our day and time.  One of my grandsons is taking a History class in College.  He currently is in on-line classes and has set up a study center in one of our extra bedrooms to come and do his work.  It works really good for him to have a quiet place to go and to also feel like he is leaving home and attending class.  We love the time he is with us Monday - Friday from 9:00 - 3:00.  I am so impressed with his discipline to come and get all of his work done and then he an enjoy the weekend with no homework.  He shard with me he was studying about Columbus and gave a very one sided view of him.  I encouraged him to read just the chapter in this book about Columbus.  He thinks he knows all about him and is not real interested, but I am working on him to expand this learning from just what the textbooks are teaching him.  The story of Columbus began long before he set sail in 1492.  I really enjoyed the added insights into the history of the world and where we are today as a result of those who came before us.

One of my other grandsons enjoys Japanese gaming and asked if I knew where he could get some Pudin (it is like Flan but firmer and sweeter).  I did not know where to get the real deal so we looked it up on the internet - the "source of all knowledge" and found a recipe.  We made it and he said it was the best he had ever tasted.  It was so fun to see his delight in this wonderful dessert.

While I am speaking about these boys, they also celebrated their 19th Birthday this week.

Six years ago we started a remodel of our home in preparation for going on a mission when we retired.  We wanted our home to be in good condition for the next 10 years and it was about a 4 year project.  When we returned home, there were new things that needed attention and that ongoing need to update and repair.  Plumbing continues to keep us busy and we are so glad we have a son that lives close by and comes to our rescue.  We keep him busier that he probably wants to be but we really enjoy the time we get to spend with him on his days off from work.  One of our bigger projects was installing a new kitchen stove cooktop.

This is the original cooktop in the house that is about 40 years old.  I finally wore it out.  New electrical was needed and a few extra parts but again with the help of Josh we were able to get it installed and me back to cooking.  

One of our favorite things we learned to enjoy was Swiss Raclette Cheese.  We had a Raclette grill and really enjoyed the melted cheese with potatoes and other vegetables.  It was always a party when it was served.  I was shopping the other day at a little specialty market and what did they have - Raclette.  It was the real deal and I bought enough for a good party - just need to be able to invite people over again.

September 2020 is truly one for the history books.  School is not what we know as "normal".  Families are trying to navigate the new norm and still keep peace and sanity in their homes.  Everyone of our grandkids is in a different learning environment.  Some are in school and others are on-line or in a hybrid program.  We have tried to help in small ways as we can to support each of these families.  We have returned to Church services on a limited basis and it has been nice gathering with others even in the limited capacity that it is.  

I have felt an urgency to research and learn more about my relatives and to visit important places in their lives.  I have wanted to visit Long Pine, Nebraska for many years to see the birthplace and resting place of many of my fathers family members.  It is still on my list of things to do.  In going through papers and reading histories, I found the Military papers for my grandfather.  He was born in Ontario, Wisconsin and then moved to Duluth Minnesota and joined the army in 1918 to serve in WWI.  I have heard his story of contracting Tuberculosis during his service and being sent to Denver Colorado to an Army Hospital for treatment.  It was there that he met a nurse whom became his bride and they homesteaded 120 acres in Rand Colorado.  After my father was born in Rand they decided to move back to the city and settled in Denver Colorado for the next 20 years.  I had never heard about his life before Colorado.  I was excited to learn a little about his birthplace and time in Duluth.  So, I added those places on my list of places I want to visit.  I spent last week in Minnesota with my daughter and her family and she asked if I would like to take a day trip North to see the Fall Foliage.  When I heard we could go to Duluth I was anxious to make the trip.  It was the most beautiful drive and the colors were stunning.  Duluth is a quaint little town on Lake Superior.  It sits on a steep hillside that leads down to the port.  It is the end port for all of the Great Lakes with ships arriving about twice a day from New York or other ports on the Great Lakes.  My great grandfather and grandfather worked on the railroad in that area.  Ontario Wisconsin is next on the list on my next visit to Minnesota.

We saw a big clock tower on the hill from the port and wanted to go see it.  It reminded me of Europe and so we drove into town.  It turned out to be a historical High School and it still serves as the High School today.  It was beautiful.

Picture bomb of the Fall Foliage.  

We have been home from our mission for 6 months now.  Where has the time gone?  So much has happened and yet we feel like we are in a holding pattern just waiting to be able to land and resume "normal" life.  I know we have learned to serve in different ways and to enjoy time with family that we would not have had.  

I am most grateful for the lessons learned from my study of the scriptures.  In 3 Nephi 17, Jesus Christ is visiting the people of Nephi in the Americas and directs them of what to do when they do not understand.  

The Scriptural Process:

1.  "I perceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot understand all my words . . . Therefore, go ye unto your homes."

2.  "Ponder upon the things which I have said"

3.  "Ask"  Pray for understanding as told in James 1:5

4.  "Prepare your minds for the morrow" - food, sleep, open and clear mind

5.  Come Again,  Go Back to Church, read the scriptures, Conference Talks (words of the living Prophets), go to the Temple

Those same principles apply to us today when we are trying to understand something.  

The next few months will be a trying time for our Country.  I hope we can all endure it and seek for truth and understanding in the process.

Jesus Christ said, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."  

This week is one of the most spiritual weeks of the year as we gather as Saints to listen to our Living Prophet in General Conference.  I am far more interested to hear what will be said on Saturday and Sunday than to listen to the current political arena for guidance.  You can watch and listen to the conference on www.ChurchofJesusChrist.org; BYUtv.org and also on YouTube.  It will be broadcast on both days at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM MDT .

"Does God really want to speak to you? YES! . . .Oh, there is so much more that your Father in Heaven wants you to know".  President Russell M Nelson

August, the month of Pears and travels

 August has been a month filled with family, travels, reunion with friends and lots of yard work.

One of the themes for my life in the past two years has been, "Where Can I turn for Peace."  We started the month with a visit on Sunday, August 2 to The Dallas Texas Temple grounds.  The gates were locked and so we just sat at the entrance and marveled at the beauty and peace that surrounds the building. We look forward to the day we can return to the Temple when it opens again.

We also we able to stop at the Kansas City Temple on Tuesday, August 11.  It was so majestic and beautiful on that hot August day of travel.  It was definitely a refuge from the world and a place to find Peace for a few minutes.

We stopped and ate a snack and walked around all of the grounds.  It is so different to have the parking lots empty and so quiet because of Covid 19 closings.  The Temple grounds are still kept so beautiful and truly bring peace to the soul.

We ended the month in Utah and a night visit to the Mt. Timpanogos Temple.  

We took Logan and Preslee with us to see this beacon in the city.  They live just a few miles from it and often go and park in the parking lot and just talk and enjoy the peace.  It was a beautiful night with the moon peaking through the clouds.

These three Temples all have special meaning to me for different reasons.  Emily was sealed (married) in the Dallas Temple and Brian was married in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple.  Great memories as we visited and enjoyed the memories.

We started the month with a road trip to Wichita Kansas to visit Brian and Beth.  They celebrated their 10 year Anniversary and we stayed with the kids while they celebrated in Colorado for a few days.  The Girls had a few hours together for pedicures.  It was a real treat - first time in two years to have my feet massaged and pampered and it was great, especially with the good company of Beth and Nora.

Next we were off to the Sunflower fields for pictures.  Lots of pictures taken in the sunflower fields. 

William 

Nora 

Brian, William,Nora and Beth

William was a little afraid of ALL of the BEES on the plants.  He was being very cautious about where he was willing to have his picture taken!  Made for a cute photo.

Beautiful picture of the Kansas fields and sky.  It truly is in the middle of the grasslands and prairies.  

Fun baking with Grandma.  Cupcakes baked in ice cream cones.  Oh how I love the internet when I need help with a recipe.  I made these all the time for my kids and it was a trick to get them to stay standing while you bake them.  I found this great idea and it really worked.  So much better and no mess.

It is always fun to visit The Nifty Nut House in Wichita.  It is a store filled with nuts, chocolates and candy.  We managed to spend about $40 on all this healthy!?!? candy.  Let's just say we ended up with a lot of jelly bellies.  

We have really enjoyed re-connecting with our grandchildren since we have been home.  They have grown up so much and we enjoyed our daily walks, lots of UNO and Mario and Minecraft on the tablets.  

 

We combined this visit with continuing North on I-35 and returning to Farmington Minnesota for a work project with Jaime and Andy.  They purchased the home they had been renting for a few years and it was time to clean out the garages.  We spent three days emptying, cleaning and finding many memories.  We filled a dumpster, had a large garage sale and donated two van loads to the local thrift store and night shelter.  Toys were organized, clothes sorted and important papers found.

Abby found these Winter overalls and thought they were the next fashion craze.

Minnesota also has wonderful Sunflower fields so we spent our Sunday afternoon driving about an hour to a beautiful field for family pictures,  Another photo bomb of family pictures:

We had a lot of fun with all of the props and things placed in the fields for photo shoots.  Great family pictures with Adam 20, Eric 18, Abby 17, Zach 14 and Emma 11.  They are growing up and it is nice that they are all still together to have these family outings.  They have two new Rottpoo puppies that came along, but they were not interested in family photos and just wanted to lay in the shade of the sunflowers.  It was their first real road trip and lets just say Adam got a new pair of jeans out of the deal due to car sick puppies!

Abby and Eric are Seniors this year and this was a cute Senior Picture.  2020 is an interesting year to be in school and we wish them the very best as they embark on their final year of High School.

This is their garden and it has provided a generous bounty.  We always get fed so well when we visit and this visit was especially great as we ate from the garden.  The green beans were picked and immediately cleaned and cooked.  They were the best I have every had.  We made homemade pasta sauce by roasting the cherry and roma tomatoes with onions, garlic and peppers in the oven.  We then pureed them and added fresh basil and other herbs for a delicious sauce.  

It is never all work and no play when we visit.  We enjoyed the wonderful food and our daily walks around the lake in their neighborhood.  August is the month it finally gets warm and is warm just long enough before the cold nights of September come in.  

After two weeks being away, it was time to hit the road again and return back to Texas to take care of our own yard.  It is really nice to have a stopping place with Brian and Beth in Wichita.  It makes the 14 hour drive bearable when we can stop and have an amazing Taco dinner and a comfy bed before we finish the last 6 hours home.

We arrived home to our loaded Pear tree that was ready to be picked.  We have 4 Pear trees and this year only one had pears.  We picked about 150 pounds of pears and then gave away as many as we could.  They were the best pears we have had in many years.  There were not as many, but they were very large - the biggest one weighing in at a perfect 1 pound.  It only took a few to make a cobbler or strudel.  

I made 6 Pear Raspberry Strudel and gave them away.  We spent a Sunday afternoon delivering to a few friends.  It is not the same with Covid-19 when you deliver, but I wanted to share and let friends know I was thinking of them.  Oh, they turned out so good - I love adapting the original apple strudel to other fruits in season.  The Pear raspberry and Pear cherry were both really good.  The strudel is so much lighter than a traditional American Pie.

Monday was a special treat as we hit the road again and traveled to Temple, Texas.  We had driven through on the freeway many times, but we had never actually been in the city or around to see the sights.  

There are a few people that come into your life that make a real difference and you just know they are friends for life.  We were so fortunate to serve with Elder and Sister Bretzing on our mission.  We all got sent home the same day, but they still had over 7 months to serve on their mission.  They have not been released and continue to serve via Zoom meetings and other media.  We got to visit with them while they were in Temple visiting family.  We spent the day at Chalk Ridge Falls Park.  It is nestled in a park outside of the city and it was so fun.  We hiked and waded in the water and had such a great time.

It came complete with a swinging suspension bridge.  We even had to navigate down this steep trail to get down to the falls.  It was a short trail with lots of adventure.

It reminded us of the many adventures in Germany we had together.  We love the outdoors and the beauty of nature.  

Claudia is like a sister to me.  We shared so much in the mission and I was so grateful I had someone to talk to and share recipes with.  We both learned from each other and fed and lot of missionaries.  She truly is a forever friend.

We are finding there is a lot of Texas we have not seen in the 40 years we have lived here.  We need a few more road trips and adventures.  We just need Covid to be in control so we can visit other places.  Bandera Texas is next on the list -  deep in the hill country of Texas!

I have always wanted to go to Marfa Texas where my father served during WWII.  I would really like to go at the end of September, but we will have to see how the conditions are at that time.

We have also enjoyed the time we have had with Joshua and his family.  The Twins graduated from High School in the Spring and are starting college.  They have decided to set up an office in our home to come and do their on-line college classes.  At least it helps them have a quiet place and seems like they are going to school.  Treats at Grandma's are an added benefit.

On Tuesday, August 25 we flew to Salt Lake City to visit Emily and her family.  We had planned to stay with her until Ian got food poison from food they ate waiting for us to arrive at the airport.  He was so sick we decided to get a hotel and stay there for a few days.  

Preslee was so excited to have us visit.  She greeted us with a decorated house of streamers and treats.  It was a great Welcome.  

Emily is living in a very small home until their new home is built and it is a true adventure with 6 people and one bathroom, but we make it work.  We decided to get a car rental and always ready for a fun adventure, we rented a 2008 VW convertible bug.  WOW, did we ever have fun and acted like we were back in school at BYU driving around town.  

Preslee loves Grandmas Cinnamon Rolls.  She especially likes to sell them.  So, we spent a day making them and she set up a cute stand on the corner of their house - on a nice busy street, and sold about 50 rolls.  We made Cinnamon, Nutella and lemon.  People asked if next time they could place orders and be able to get more.  She made about $80 and that is going to be for some tumbling equipment she is wanting to get to help her.  We sold all of them with none left for us to eat, so I got up on Saturday morning and made another batch.  We gave some away and managed to eat the rest!

She would like me to be there every weekend for a sale.  It is a pretty good business for her considering it is a glorified lemonade stand.

Saturday afternoon was spent at the football field for 4th grade cheerleading and football.  It was a very hot day!  It was so fun to see Preslee in her element and having a great time.  It brought back so many memories.  

We lasted about and hour and a half and it was time to get out of the heat.  Shopping was calling my name and we had places to go and to see.

We visited my Sister Pam and her husband Mike on Sunday.  It was a wonderful day with family.  I have lived away from family for 40 years and as we get older, we enjoy the times we can be together.  

All good things come to an end and we returned the car on Sunday afternoon.  It was such a fun time and beautiful weather to enjoy the ride.  

We also went to Utah for a mission Gathering with Pres. and Sister Brown.  Because of Covid we could not meet in a formal gathering so we met up Provo Canyon at Canyon Glen Park.

What a gathering of missionaries!  It was such a great reunion to see so many that we had served with.  We realized that most of the missionaries that we directly served with are from Europe.  Of the 60 that were there, we had served with about 15.  We especially were happy to see so many of the Senior Couples.  It was great to catch up on life and to hear about their past several months at home.  These people will always be "family" and we are so grateful that we were able to serve with them and to continue learning from them as they share experiences with us.  We look forward to many more reunions in the future.  

A special Thank you to the Robertson family who came from Idaho and we got to meet.  We served with their son both in Freiburg and in Austria.  WE LOVE Elder Robertson.  We had an immediate bond because of Idaho, but truly came to admire and appreciate this dedicated young man with an amazing testimony and love of Jesus Christ.  

This week in my scripture study, I have been reading in Helaman in The Book of Mormon.  This was a very dark time on the earth with many wars and much bloodshed and turning from Jesus Christ and His teachings.  

Helaman 5:12 - "And now, my sos, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation  . . ."  This was not new to them.  He tells them to Remember what they had been taught.  He goes on to tell them about all of the darkness and "Bad News" of the day.  It is not much different than our day.  Pages and pages are written about the bad news:  Political corruption, Devil having a great hold on the people, Truth rejected, Apathy towards God's power - not recognizing who God even is, lack of repentance, forgetting the blessings from God, and then God chastens His people to help them to Remember.  He teaches about PRIDE and the dangers of it.  He then ends His discourse with the Good News.  What is the Good News that has happened in your life in the past year amid all of the darkness?

Temples have continued to be a place of peace and refuge and many more are scheduled to be built.

Service opportunities have increased as many have sewn masks - our Church contributed 6 million in Utah alone.  We have helped many countries with Humanitarian aid.  I have been able to serve others through our mission and at home.  Service helps keep us close to Jesus Christ.  I have learned to 

LOOK TO GOD AND LIVE.  Helaman 8:15 - "And as many as should look upon that serpent should live, even so as many as should look upon the Son of God with faith, having a contrite spirit, might live, even unto that life which is eternal.?"  

The Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ continues to go out to the world and people are being converted.

The Power of the Priesthood is on the earth today to guide and direct us and to give us the word of God for our time.  I am so grateful for a living Prophet, Pres. Russell M Nelson who guides and directs the Lords Church on the earth today.

One of the things a Prophet does is call people to Repentance.  I am so grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ and that I can repent and allow His atonement to take place in my heart and bless me with renewed strength every day to carry on and do better today than I did yesterday.  We are not perfect people living in a perfect world.  We are here to learn and grown and become.  Through Repentance I can become what I was sent here to become - no comparisons to others or judgments made.

The Good News is that I know who I am - a daughter of a Heavenly Father who loves me and provided a plan for me to come to this earth and learn and grown and return to Him for Eternal Life.  That gives me hope, happiness and great joy with a purpose to my life.  

It is so much easier to seek the good in life than to be in bondage with the bad news.  Seek for Truth in the coming days and find the Joy!

We ended the month with a visit from Ellie and Michael.  Ellie is a special friend from Freiburg Germany that was baptized two years ago.  She is attending school at BYU-Idaho and  we got to spend a little time with her.  She attended a German speaking activity on campus and met Michael.  He served his mission in Berlin Germany and the best part is that he is the grandson of our dear friends who we served with - The Blanchards!  The family of friends continues to grow,  We are so happy for them and know they were blessed to find each other.  Ellie is part of that Good News and has been blessed by the choices she has made - even leaving Germany and family and finding JOY!  What a great reunion!

We ended the night with other dear friends from the mission, The Homer's.  It is really a small world when you travel half way around the world and find people from your own home town.  My Dad and his uncle were good friends and Russ' parents were good friends with John Homers family.  The Homer's were the backbone of the mission.  They served in the mission office and kept everyone safe and sound in their apartments.  We loved being with them in their home.  We were with them exactly 1 year ago that same day in Vienna showing them the sights.  It was great to share memories and to continue a friendship.  Our lives have been touched by so many wonderful people.  

I think we will need September to rest up for the last three months of the year and all of the holidays.  We are already looking forward to The Nativity Display and all that the coming days will bring.

Until next month,

Viel Liebe,

The Grimmett's