Twas 3 Days before Christmas

Twas 3 days before Christmas

and with dawns early light.

The snow started falling

all fluffy and white.

I was busy this morning

and the day seemed a blur.

Early afternoon came

I felt chilled, I thought brrrr.

I slipped into bed

to read and get warm.

I dozed off to sleep,

but awoke with alarm.

I ran to the door to see

what ruined my dream.

There stood good neighbor Bob

with his new snowblowing machine.

Winter Solstice - December 21, 2008

Yesterday was the shortest day of the year and the longest night. From now on our days will be getting longer and the nights shorter.

It is now Monday, December 22. The house is decorated. The smell of freshly baked Banana Bread comes from the kitchen. I am listening to, Christmas in the Aire, a CD Julie sent me. Outside fluffly, soft snowflakes are swiftly falling on the snow from last week. It is truly a beautiful marshmellow world. This afternoon I am going to bake cookies, read a bit, maybe sew a seam or two , but I'll enjoy the day and just putter around. I love to putter and do alittle of this and a little of that. It will be a stay at home day. It looks like I might be snowed in.

A Little Christmas Around the House.

I enjoyed decorating this year.

I felt like I was having old friends join me.

Three years ago I bought a pre-lit tree.

Much easier.

The table setting is a little different this year.


Old Man Winter joins me each year.


The gold deer and pine trees is a favorite arrangement.


A picture of dad's taken
in American Fork Canyon.


"God bless us, every one."

Busy Santa elves.




My faithful soldier.
I need to search his battlegrounds for his boots.




" Merry Christmas to All and
to All a Good Night."

The Year I Didn't Decorate.

I was working.

To shop for a tree, set it up,

string with lights and decorate,

did not seem fun to me.

Besides,

Everything I brought up from the basement,

I would have to return to the basement.

Mike couldn't stand it.

He pulled the Fica tree over

and

presents went under that tree.

(He even threatened to put lights on it.)

Remembering our Steve

Four years ago today Steve died unexpectedly of pneumonia at the age of 43.I have been bracing myself all month for this day.

Today I feel I've handled it better than other years as I have tried to keep myself busy.
Tonight as the darkness came and at the slowing down of the activities of the day, memories of that night returned and there is a rerun of events of four years ago.
It is a deep loss in so many ways to lose a child. One that is hard to explain or understand until it has been experienced.

Sometimes I feel sadness as events happen in the lives of his children and I wish Steve were here to share in the joy of their achievements and to help and support them in their set backs.

No one can take the place of a father or mother in the life of a child. The love between Steve and his children was especially strong and close. Now there is a void where that closeness once was. He graduated to a Grandpa this month with the birth of Everett Neil. Yet, that precious little guy won't have the fun, love and companionship of Grandpa Steve. Steve would have thoroughly enjoyed and would have been a wonderful Grandpa.
This scene of an absent parent plays over and over in many homes and in many lives.

May we enjoy our life journey and truly love, help and treasure those we travel with along the way.

It is hard to understand why the journey is cut short without warning for those we are closest to.

Steve, we love and miss you.

I Am Confused

My Parents and My Church always taught me to be frugal and thrifty.

Now MY Government tells me to spend, spend, spend.

Madison and Everett Neil

As of December 8th, I am a great grandmother.

Everett Neil

9 lbs 3 oz.

19 inches long

Born - Dec. 8 at 12:45 a.m.

The Twins Are Three Months Old.

OH, how they've grown!

Dec. 2nd - Come What May, and Love It

Joseph B. Wirthlin age 91

A beloved leader left us this morning. Many looked to and loved him for his example, wisdom and wit. His last conference talk has valuable counsel as he told of his mother saying to him, "come what may, and love it." He also taught us, by some of his experiences, to learn to laugh at situations instead of getting angry, harboring resentment, feeling humiliated or embarrassed. He said, "Laughter will extend your life and make the lives of all those around you more enjoyable." His talk also taught us to Seek for the Eternal, The Principle of Compensation, and to Trust in the Father and the Son. The conclusion of his talk is very powerful. A very good talk to read and study.

Dec. 1st - Finding Joy in the Journey.

This evening Christmas was ushered in at the Scera Theater by a children's choir Kathryn was in. They were delightful. They sang and did actions to many of the songs of the Season. Of course Grandpa and I thought Kathryn was the hit of the show with her beautiful new dress with fur on the sleeves, her special hair do and flawless performance.

Each member of the Ward was given a plain square of fabric and markers to design a quilt block about their family. The top was sewn together and today four of us set it up and pinned it for Marilyn Steele to machine quilt. It is unique and so awesome. It will be given to the Bishop this Christmas.

Knitting on three needles has fascinated me. Today I started knitting fingerless wrist warmers. It will be interesting to see how these turn out.

Thinking of My Blessings from the Church

To serve - the opportunity to go Tuesday mornings until Christmas and bag fruits and vegetables at the Bishop's Storehouse. It gives me a very good feeling to know I am helping others. The Church projects are always first class.

To prepare - Sat. morning was our monthly Preparedness Meeting. The topic was "Emergency Sources of Heat, Cooking, Light and Body Warmth". Excellent meeting. It is a blessing to have the Lord's counsel through our Prophets and leaders.

For help - Bro. Tomlinson is always asking me if there is a project the young men can help me with. Saturday afternoon about eight boys raked leaves and roto tilled them into the garden soil. Sometimes I have looked out the window and thought, "I don't have the energy to do all that." They made short work of it and it was fun to be out with them. You could call that the "Power of the Priesthood". They are great young men!!!

A New Blog Look.

This plaid looks like a flannel fabic I would purchase. It would be a tied quilt with extra batting. One to keep a family member warm, to comfort them, to speed their healing when sick.

Thank you Julie for the new look.

I Miss These Little Spooks

Lucas and Logan born August 30 at 11:35 and 11:36 a.m.

Lucas weighed 4 lbs. 2 oz.

Logan weighed 4 lbs. 3 oz.
They were both 18 inches long.

Grandma Jean Rocks

I spent the first two weeks of October with them.

I held, loved and rocked them 20 hours a day and into

the night and loved every minute.

My Continuous Question Is -

If I moved, do I really want to take these old books with me? I am cleaning the basement. Today's project is under the stairs. So far so good. I am moving right along.

Here Comes November. We gather to remember and be thankful.

I changed the calendar this morning. Christi put pictures from last Thanksgiving at Craig and Liz's home. Life has been good to all the family since then. There have been some bumps in the road, but with support of family and our faith we move forward.

This November 1st was a special day with both Lynzie (Texas) and Logan (Vernal) being baptized. With age my vision seems to be sharpening and I see these beautiful grandchildren fulfilling a special work upon this earth because of their home environment, teachings of their parents, and living close to our Heavenly Father.

So Much To Be Thankful for.

Come, ye thankful people, come; Raise the song of harvest home.
All is safely gathered in Ere the winter storms begin.
God, our Maker doth provide For our wants to be supplied.
Come to God's own temple, come; Raise the song of harvest home

All the world is God's own field, Fruit unto his praise to yield,
Wheat and tares together sown, Unto joy or sorrow grown.
First the blade, and then the ear, Then the full corn shall appear.
Lord of harvest, grant that we Wholesome grain and pure may be.

Come, Ye Thankful People. Hymn #94

Two of My Many Quilt Tops

Chocolate Town Special Cake

1- 3/4 cups sugar
2/3 cup oil or shortening
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2- 1/2 cups flour
1- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup boiling water

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350. GREASE & FLOUR PAN

Cream oil and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Sift flour, baking soda and salt and add alternately with buttermilk to mixture. Make a paste of the cocoa and boiling water, cool. Add to mixture and blend. Bake for 35 minutes.

French Cream Frosting

Gradually add 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar to 1/2 cup butter that is room temperature. Cream well. Add 1 egg. Mix thoroughly. Blend in 3 Tbsp. cocoa and 1 tsp. vanilla. Beat until of spreading consistency. Thin with milk if necessary.

My Amish Quilt

This is one of my UFO'S (unfinished objects). I put it together years ago. It is basted ready to be hand quilted and the edges finished. A good project for this winter.

It is a small quilt or wall hanging.

Mike and Dave's Favorite Chocolate Chewy Cookies

Mix together until no clumps
1 3/4 cup sugar
2/3 cup cocoa powder

Combine wet ingredients together and add to cocoa mixture
3 eggs
1/2 cup oil
2 Tbsp. vanilla
3 1/2 Tbsp. melted butter

Mix dry ingredients and add to above mixture
2 cups flour
1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt

Roll walnut sized balls in powder sugar and place on lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 8 to 10 minutes. Bake until not quite done when you take them out. They continue to bake after removed from oven. Otherwise they with be too hard.

Crockery Beef Stew

Sometimes a clear or broth soup tastes good. This is a nutritious, economical meal. Good on your food storage menue. If you have stored potatoes & carrots, dried onions and fresh or dried celery, you have a meal. I served this Wednesday to Kristen and her 3 children, Dad, Diane and I. Even Diane had a second helping. Thursday Dad and I enjoyed it again. This was my table setting for lunch today.

2 lbs. Cubed beef
1/2 cup flour
2 Tbsp. oil
OR 1 or 2 cans beef from cannery
1 bay leaf
1/2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce - I use 1/4 Tbsp.
1 onion chopped
1 cup beef bouillon or 1 tsp. beef pwdr or granules to 1 cup water
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 tsp. salt
6 carrots peeled and sliced
1 cup sliced celery
4 potatoes, peeled and cut
2 med. turnips (optional)
4 cups water

Coat meat in flour and brown in oil if you desire. Sometimes I don't brown cubed meat. Combine all ingredients except flour and oil in Crock Pot and cook on low for 8 to 10 hrs. This is so yummy on a cool Fall day!

Can add grated cheese and crackers.

Steve's Wheat Waffles

1 cup whole wheat flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. raw sugar
2 eggs
1 1/4 cups milk
1/4 cup oil

Mix together and cook in a waffle maker. Everyone knows Steve loved whole wheat waffles with PURE Maple syrup!

Buttermilk Pancakes

Cameron spreads peanut butter on his pancakes before he puts the syrup on. They are yummy. Grandpa tried it and it tasted so good that he had an extra stack.

1 cup flour
2 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk
3 Tbsp. melted butter

In a small bowl sift together flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda. In a medium bowl, beat together egg and buttermilk. Add flour mixture to buttermilk mixture, beating until smooth. Blend in melted butter. Enjoy!

German Pancakes

1 Cup Flour
1 Cup Milk
1/4 Tsp. Salt
6 Eggs
4 Tbsp. Butter
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. While melting butter in a 9X13 Casserole dish in oven, mix remainder of ingredients well. Pour mixture into dish with melted butter. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes on bottom rack of oven as they rise high during baking. Eat IMMEDIATELY with syrup, jam or your choice of topping. This is a favorite of Grandma Jean's Grandkids. YUM!

First Day of Autumn

Autumn officially greeted us this morning with cool wind, rain and the top of Timp was lightly powdered with snow. Mother earth is definitely letting us know which season of the four we should be preparing for.

Late in July and August I began looking forward to relief from the long, lazy days of oppressive heat both day and night. The first sign of change is usually around August 15th. The nights start cooling down and sleeping is enjoyed with fresh cool air coming through the open bedroom window. As the nights continue to grow colder, the splendor of the trees are seen dressed in their vibrant Fall colors. It is one of earth's delights. A ride through American Fork Canyon, up over the Alpine Loop, past Sundance and then home makes for a memorable afternoon drive. Another Fall ride I look forward to every year starts from the cabin in Torrey. We view the glorious quakies going over the Boulder Mountain. Then continue along what we call the Devil's Back Bone. It is a narrow two lane highway with immediate drop offs 100's of feet on both sides of the road.

But, I must admit with the good and the beautiful comes the bad and the ugly. FLIES. As the weather turns colder to do it's magic on the leaves of the trees, the pesky little flies seek for warmer and cozier surroundings.

As my old grand pappy used to say - "The only thing that doesn't appreciate an encouraging pat on the back is a fly." Well, I've patted a few this Fall.

In the Wee Hours of the Morning

Sometimes in the wee hours of the morning, I wander out the front door and sit on the porch. The man in the moon smiles down at me and I smile back at him. I like the feeling of being bathed in the glow of his light. Around me I see dark objects with their dark shadows. Sometimes I see a stray Tom cat gracefully and quietly slinking by on his soft padded feet. In the distance, across the lake I see the twinkling of street lights. Everything seems peaceful and at rest. I take deep breaths and enjoy the fresh cool air and I feel renewed. I hear the crickets and from across the valley I hear the muted sounds of cars and trucks on the freeway. I feel "all is well, all is well" and am thankful for my abundant blessings.

"It's A Brand New Day, Grandma"

As I was waking up this morning I realized it was a cool morning and it felt good to snuggle in the covers. I thought warm cocoa and toast would taste good. I watched the sun come over the mountain lighting the east side of the trees to a rich bright green. The trees long shadows stretched across the dew covered lawn westward. This scene reminded me of a greeting a friend's grandaughter cheerfully gives her every morning, "Its a brand new day, grandma". My mind then went to a song the "Tabernacle Choir" sings so beautifully.

Morning Has Broken

Morning has broken, like the first morning,
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird.
Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning!
Praise for them springing fresh from the Word!

Sweet the rain's new fall sunlit from heaven,
Like the first dewfall on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,
Sprung in completeness where His feet pass.

Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning
Born of the one light Eden saw play!
Praise with elation, praise ev'ry morning,
God's re-creation of the new day!

Eleanor Farjeon

Praise ev'ry morning, God's re-creation of the new day!

"Who knows but that something wonderful may happen today. Have faith that it will. After all every morning is a chance at a new day."

Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Silence

The yard this spring with 21 lilac bushes in bloom.

Beautiful flowers Kristen sent me.

Tonight's sky.

Sometimes life gets hectic, hurried and noisy, but I treasure my quiet times of meditation, reflecting or enjoying God's creations that surround me. These times are a renewal for me just as sleep is. I have been thinking lately of a quote of Mother Teresa's -

God is the friend of silence.

Trees, flowers, grass grow in silence.

See the stars, moon, and sun, how they move in silence.

New Beginning.

Kristen was kind to set up this blog for me to record family happenings. We have since started a fun family blog with everyone able to contribute. This will be a personal blog or journal to be shared with family and friends.

Dallas Trip

More of our Dallas trip later.

Grandma goes home with orange toenails!

We had a great time and we're headed home!