IT'S TIME TO THRIVE IN 2025
January finally brought Winter weather with some beautiful sunsets and cloud formations. This picture was amazing as we watched the storm come over the mountain and into Utah Valley. We have only had a few inches of snow at our home with the Mountains East of us getting the snow they need. We are good with that.
The month has been filled with Dentist Appointments - New bridge in my mouth after I had to have a tooth pulled just before Christmas. The only good thing was that it kept me from eating my favorite caramels during the holidays! Doctors appointments and procedures, family history and more photos to scan and add to my computer, and finding that 90% of my photos this month are new recipes to stay on our Wellness journey. I will share a few.
The River Woods in Provo held an ice carving event that we enjoyed walking through. Russ is always a good sport to be in my photos. It was so interesting seeing the process of the ice carving and the other activities amongst the lighted trees and warm fires.
They had Dragons, Stars, Dolphins, Mountains and other Ice Formations.
We have stayed in during the cold Winter days and it was nice to get out and enjoy the sights and sounds of this Winter event.
MEMORY LANE
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| Linda as Child |
The picture on the left is really special of my very first friends that are still dear to my heart today. I am in the pinafore dress on the front row. The picture includes my sister Brooke and my little brother, Tad; Marilyn and Carolyn Hall, Debbie Skinner, Julie Waters and Sandra Drake - our best friends growing up.
1977 Baby blessing with my siblings and their families at that time.
This picture is from around 1968 with my brother, George; Grandpa Haney, his wife Lottie, Me and my sister, Pam. This is a very special photo as we do not have very many pictures with my Grandpa. My Grandmother passed away before I was born and my grandpa was an alcoholic so our visits were arranged with my Dad always going in first to make sure he was good for us to visit. He lived in an apartment above a little grocery store in Salt Lake City and we loved to visit and get green licorice for a penny at the store. We did not know until we were teenagers why our Dad always had to go in first and make sure it was good for the rest of the family to visit.
I am holding Emily who was only 7 weeks old. Josh and Jaime are sitting on the front row. We loved flying in from Texas to be with family and all of the little cousins having so much fun at grandma's house. The family grew a lot in those years.
One of my favorite childhood memories was going to Colorado to visit Duward and Esther Campbell - my Dad's childhood friends parents. They had one son who would come to Denver and live with his grandmother to go to school and then back with his parents on the Ranch for the summers. My Dad would go with him for the summers and became like a son to them. Their son was killed in an auto accident in his 20's and my Dad was very special to them. They were legends in their own right - even crossed paths with Butch Cassidy and other outlaws in the wilds of Colorado.
When they got too old to run their ranch, they moved to Dutch John area on the Green River and this was their yard. We loved visiting their home and experiencing their hospitality, pranks, and good food.
This just gives a little glimpse into my story and the wonderful experiences of childhood.
"UNFORGETTABLE"
EVENTS
An Evening with Kimberly Woods and Satin Swing
BYU Sidney Sperry RELIGIOUS EDUCATION SYMPOSIUM
The theme this year was linked to the course of study this year in our Church,
THE DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS - JOSEPH SMITH AS A VISIONARY
What a fun evening at the Covey Center for the Arts with Kimberly Woods from Swing46 Jazz Club in NYC and her quintet, Satin Swing as the musicians. They performed classics from Natalie Cole, Frank Sinatra, Streisand, Ella Fitzgerald and others. We really enjoyed the musicians and the wonderful night of music.
For many years working for CES I followed the scholarship of the Sperry Symposium and always enjoyed reading the annual Book taken from the presenters at the Symposium. Living here, we are able to attend in person and we have really enjoyed the experience. It is always nice to reconnect with Mick and Diane Smith - Mick has presented the past two years and I always enjoy sitting before him and learning from his teachings. He taught me so much when I worked with him in Arlington and appreciate their friendship.
Wonderful presentations that we learned so much from. John Hilton shared such deep insights into Joseph Smith and why Christ's death is one of the "fundamental principles of our religion." The First Vision and Nephi's vision explicitly teach that Jesus Christ was crucified for our sins. These visions help us see the saving significance of Christ's sacrifice on Calvary. Easter will never be the same for me again. I look forward to studying more and celebrating Jesus Christ in a much deeper way this Easter Season.
"Jesus Christ likewise emphasized his Crucifixion when he appeared to his disciples in the new world, saying, "Arise and come forth unto me, that ye many thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye many know that I have been slain for the sins of the world" (3 Nephi 11:14)
It was also really nice to see Rich and Claudia Pickering at the Symposium. They are longtime friends from Arlington Texas who now live in Utah. I also got to meet in person Alonzo Gaskill - A BYU Religion Professor who is a good friend of Mick Smith. I talked to him on the phone weekly but had never met him. He also was a presenter and we learned so much from him. You meet the best of people in good places.
We removed the plastic drawers and shelves in the kitchen and replaced with this piece of furniture. I love how it looks in the kitchen and looks so much nicer to keep things in. We added a new cabinet today in place of a wire shelf unit. January is a nice to for changes and to get some cleaning in the process. My kitchen is definitely a working kitchen and I like having everything where I need it - even in our small space.
RECIPES
As I mentioned before, I spent a good deal of the month collecting new recipes to try and to add to my collection. We have tried many of them and I will share just a few for healthy eating at the beginning of the year.
2 Tbl. Protein Powder - chocolate or vanilla
1 Tbl Almond Flour
1 Tbl. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 tsp. Baking Powder
1 Tbl. granulated sweetener (monk fruit, etc.)
2 Tbl. unsweetened Almond Milk
1 Tbl. natural peanut butter or almond butter ( we liked the peanut butter the best)
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1 square Dark Chocolate (70% or higher)
DIRECTIONS:
In a small microwave-save mug or ramekin, mix together protein powder, almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and sweetener.
Add the almond milk, peanut butter, and vanilla and stir until a smooth batter forms.
Push the square of dark chocolate into the center of the batter, ensuring it is fully submerged.
Microwave on hight for 50-60 seconds, depending on the power of your microwave. The edges should be set while the center remains gooey. Allow the cake to cool for 1-2 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm with a drizzle of nut butter or a dollop of whipped cream if desired!
Russ said he would eat this every night if I would fix it for him! It was quick to make and really good.
1 scoop of GC Control (protein powder)
3 oz. Almond Milk
1 tsp. Baking Powder
2 Eggs
Just mix this together and cook it like a pancake on the griddle or the skillet. Use low heat so it does not burn. It worked better for me in my 6 inch skillet so it was more like a crepe. I spread it with soft cream cheese and rolled it up like a jelly roll and served with pure maple syrup. I used chocolate and then I did Apple Cinnamon and served with fried apples and maple syrup.
1 (15 oz) can of chickpeas
1/4 cup tahini or nut butter
1/4 cup unsweetened cacao
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/8 tsp. salt
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Drain the chickpeas from the can and reserve the chickpea water.
Place all ingredients alongside 2 Tbl. of the reserved water into a high speed blender or food processor. Blend for a few minutes until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add more of the reserved water, a tablespoon at a time. Give it a taste, adding more sweetener if needed. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
RIVERBEND RANCH STEAK SALAD
This a such a quick dinner and so delicious!
Chopped Lettuce
1 # Riverbend Ranch Sirloin Steak Strips
I season the meat with Homestead Seasoning and pepper. Saute' imeat n hot skillet for about 2 min.
I roasted the vegetables in 425* oven for about 20 min.
Onion, Red, Green, Yellow Peppers, Zucchini, Beets, Mushrooms and artichoke hearts. You can use whatever vegetables you like.
Added Cheese, Green Olives and sliced Cucumber.
Serve with dressing of choice.
NUTELLA. We had to stop eating one of our favorite European treats because of so much sugar in store bought Nutella. This brings back the great flavor and a great treat.
1 cup Hazelnuts - (I get mine at WinCo)
1 1/2 Tbl cacao/cocoa powder
12 pitted Dates
water (2/3 - 1 cup)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat the oven to 360*
2. Bake the hazelnuts on a baking tray for 12 min.
3. In the blender or food processor, blend the dates and warm water on high until smooth. Set aside
4. When the nuts are done, transfer to the blender and blend on low. Gradually increase to medium until it turns into hazelnut butter.
5. Add the blended dates and cocoa powder into the blender.
6. Start blending on low and gradually increase to high
7. Stop the blender to scrape down the sides if needed. Be patient!
8. Once the nut butter is smooth and glossy, its done! ENJOY!
BIRTHDAYS
Brian, our youngest turned 38 and Joshua, our oldest turned 48. I am so grateful for the fine men they have become. They are unique in their own ways and also very similar in so many of their interests.
Brian is a dedicated husband to Beth and a wonderful, very involved father to William and Nora and Bailey, the Corgi benefits from her daily walks with him. He works for Koch Industries in Wichita, Kansas and also has a side business as a Photographer. He serves in the Bishopric in his Ward and gets to spend a lot of time with the Youth in the Ward.
Joshua is the husband to the love of his life, Julie and a good provider and inspiration to his three boys, Kelly, Shannon and Jamie. He is living his childhood dream of being a light rail train operator in Portland Oregon. He absolutely loves the Pacific Northwest and explores every chance he gets. He too serves in the Bishopric in his Ward and serves the old and young and is so good at meeting people where they are and understanding them. He continues to hone his skills at leather boot making and has become a master at his craft.
Emma Zuis shares her Birthday with Josh and turned 16 this year. She is our #7 grandchild and a Sophomore in High School. She is on the Color Guard Team and also loves being in the School Choir. She will go to New York City in March to perform there with her Choir.
The final event of the month was Inauguration Day. I was raised in a home that taught me patriotism and love of this land of America. I have always shared my feelings about this part of me and will continue to be grateful for all this country has to offer and has blessed my life. Patriotism is NOT Political Party. I enjoy watching the pomp and circumstance regardless of who the elected President is. I like the music and seeing former Presidents and their wives - people watching is always fun. I like to watch and hear what is said and get a feel for what the next 4 years will bring. Some years are filled with more hope than others. This year has caused me to ponder, research and reflect on
WHAT IT MEANS TO ME TO BE AN AMERICAN
From the time I was young about 7 years old my mother worked on our family genealogy and we were all asked to find and record our 4 Generation's of family history. I still have the first sheet I filled out. The main thing I remember was that I am from England, Ireland, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland and Scotland. I memorized those countries and would always tell people my ancestry. Since that time we have expanded many generations and learned so much more about our family. I have spent several hours reading the stories of my ancestors of why they left their home countries and came to this land of America. For most of them it was to have religious freedom or to escape the economic oppression in their countries. In the words of Jane Black upon arriving from Manchester England in New Orleans, LA, "This was America . . .As green and lush as Ireland, and much warmer. A Land of opportunity . . .Land of freedom . . . Land of a new beginning for them and for the boatload of emigrants . . .for thousands and thousands on other ships coming from other lands." They saw Indians for the first time in their lives and her young son asked, "Mommy, is this America?" New Orleans was definitely a melting pot of cultures as they heard French, Spanish, English and now Indians!
I have always been proud of the heritage I have from those 6 different countries and have enjoyed reading some of their stories. One relative from Germany had to change his name in the 1940's so it would not show his German heritage. Many sacrifices were made to be able to be called An AMERICAN!
There is not one person in this country that does not come from a heritage of other countries. We are all composites from people who left their home countries and came to this land for just as many reasons. Once they arrived, they considered themselves Americans - in thought, word and deed bringing all of the skills, talents, customs and heritage they had.
Franklin D. Roosevelt said, "The principle on which this country was founded and by which it has always been governed is that Americanism is a matter of the mind and heart; Americanism is not, and never was a matter of race or ancestry."
I hope and pray we can remember that there are all kinds of people who are and consider themselves Americans who deserve the same rights and privileges today as my ancestors received when they arrived in 1640 through 1870. There are many people seeking the very same things today that Jane Johnston Black was seeking in the 1850's when she arrived. She brought her two sons and sailed to American while her husband stayed back in Ireland for a few years. He finally arrived and they made the trek to Utah settling in the Saint George and Zion's Canyon area. My Great Great Grandmother was the only member of her family from Switzerland that came to American. She left all she loved for the new life that was awaiting her here. These are the people who made America Great! We have many friends from other countries that are doing the same things today - leaving their families in foreign countries seeking a better way - mostly love and religion - and coming to America. Today many of them are not sure what the future brings for them.
There is a poem on the Statue of Liberty that had meaning for my ancestors but has mostly been forgotten and is the topic in heated political debates on immigration today:
"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. . . Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
I hope we can remember what it means to be an American and most importantly that we are all Children of God and treat each other with kindness.
From the Family Forever - "Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is that if you disagree with someone's lifestyle,(or political views) you must fear or hate them. The second is that to love someone means you agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense. You don't have to compromise convictions to be compassionate. "
I live by that and accept and invite our differences. I hope you will accept me for my differences. I have HOPE for the future. 2025 is a milestone year for our family and we look forward to celebrating and living each day to the fullest. We can Thrive in 2025!
The Grimmett's
