July

July 1 - Tree House Museum Again!

The benefits to having a year round pass is that you get to visit the Tree House Museum as often as you like. And, there's no rush to try and visit every single level and room. Today, the kids planted a garden, spent time in the dinosaur room, dressed up like cowboys and cowgirls and rode horses, put on a puppet show while grandma read the story of the Little Red Hen, beat on drums and played instruments in the music room, read a story or two, and made President hats. Good, fun day!

July 4 - Fireworks

...as seen from our balcony. We have the best seat in the valley. From any balcony of the house we can see fireworks north toward Brigham City and beyond, and south from Willard to Layton. The fireworks above are courtesy of Willard City. 

July 6-17 - Swim Lessons

Summer time is swim time. Audrey's kiddos took swim lessons at North Shore, a pool just up the street from their house in North Ogden. They then practiced their skills of swimming, kicking, diving, and holding their breath... in the pool at the townhouse complex. It sure is fun for grandma to watch these little munchkins develop such useful skills.

July 19 - Stuffed Zucchini

A Pinterest find! I've stuffed zucchini with ground beef and rice, covered with tomato sauce before and have liked it. But I have to say, browsing Pinterest certainly opens up a whole new twist on old, true and tried recipes. This one is a keeper.

Stuffed Zucchini

Ingredients

·         4 medium zucchini

·         1 teaspoon salt

·         1/4 teaspoon pepper

·         1 tablespoon olive oil

·         1 cup mushrooms, chopped

·         1/2 cup onion, chopped

·         1 clove of garlic, minced

·         1 celery stalk, chopped

·         1/2 cup shredded carrots

·         1 cup chicken, cooked and chopped

·         1 teaspoon salt

·         1/4 teaspoon pepper

·         1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped

·         1/2 cup bread crumbs

·         1/2 cup shredded light cheese

Instructions

1.       Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.     Cut zucchini in half length wise.

3.     Use a paring knife and score around the zucchini leaving a 1/4-inch.

4.     Use a melon baller to scoop out the meat of the zucchini.

5.     Place in a 9x13-inch baking dish.

6.     Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.

7.     Set aside.

8.     Chop and place zucchini meat in a large skillet along with the mushrooms, onion, garlic, celery and        carrots.

9.     Add oil and sauté until tender.

10.  Add chicken, 1 teaspoon salt ,1/4 teaspoon pepper and thyme.

11.  Cook on medium for 1-2 minutes stirring.

12.  Add bread crumbs.

13.  Stir to combine.

14.  Fill prepared zucchini halves.

15.  Cover casserole dish with foil.

16.  Bake 45 minutes or until fork tender.

17.  Sprinkle with shredded cheese and bake an additional 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted.

July 21 - Celia and Makaela

Kelsey's sweet little French girl, Celia, is back for a 3 week visit. The day after she got here Makaela and Celia wanted to come to the house and play. Celia was totally in heaven with the pin ball machine, antique slot machines, old juke box, and ping pong. She is showing me her winnings. In all her excitement, she skyped her parents in France, waking them sleep, and showed them the house. Dave and I were able to meet and talk with them, and even made initial arrangements to visit them in France next year. 

We're glad to have Celia back! She is part of the family. We love her!

July 22 - Garden fresh tomatoes

This was our first pick of tomatoes picked fresh from the garden at the bottom of the orchard. Oh... I'm so happy! Fresh tomatoes!

July 23 - Pioneer children

...sang as they walked and walked and walked and walked! The kiddos and I had our own Pioneer celebration today. We put some trail mix in bandannas, tied them up, and then we headed off on our own trek... around the townhouse community. Along the way we came to a grassy hill. Alia, Ben, and Emmy entertained me with body rolls while I took a break from the heat underneath a shade tree. It was a far cry from what the early Pioneers experienced, but the kids got the jist of it (I think) as they put on their hats and bonnets and sang merrily along the way.

July 27, 29 - YSA

YSA stands for Young Single Adults. Mine and Dave's calling in the ward is YSA advisors. It's been slow moving with little success. So today I made up some flyers and took one of our YSA leader's, Annese, out with me to deliver them to each YSA member in the ward. We introduced ourselves and personally invited them to activities and to church. All of them were friendly and very receptive. The challenge.... it is a transition from high school to college, marriage, work, missions, etc. It's hard to keep track of their moves. But, we are working at it and doing our best.

A couple of days later we had a regional YSA activity at the Brigham City Pool. Dinner and park games at 7 p.m., and swimming pool all to ourselves from 8 to 10 p.m. I made an Asian salad and we also supplied a five gallon jug of ice water.

July 30 - Banana treat

Makaela, Celia, Brayden, and a couple of friends came to the house tonight to eat, play games, and watch movies. Dave brought a banana box (yes! the entire box filled) with bananas. Celia took advantage of it and made us a European treat.

Slice a banana in half lengthwise. Sprinkle with brown sugar, and microwave for about 30 seconds. And there you go. Simple! I'm not a fan of warm bananas, but it was the thought that counted. Just love this French girl!

July 30 - Filling the pond

It's been a couple of years, but today Dave could not be home to channel the water into the pond. So I did! Yes I did! I got on the 4-wheeler and as I raced up and down the hill, the wind rushed across my face and played upon all my senses. It felt good! I'm going to have to do this more often. I used to get up very early in the mornings when the sun was just coming up over the mountain. It was so quiet and still. You could only hear an occasional chirp of a bird or the sound of running water. Oh... I miss it. I really do!

July 31 - Picking blackberries

Makaela and Celia spent the night so they could get up at 6:00 a.m. and help Dave pick blackberries. Makalea is a worker! She stayed with Dave until it was all done. Then she helped him take berries and peaches to the cooler. She's an amazing young woman. Good work ethic and dependability.

July 31 - Blackberry customer

Look who's my first customer of the day! Steven met me at 2700 No. Ogden and picked up a couple flats of blackberries for Teri's reception. I had a short, but very good visit with my brother. I just love him and his family!

On my windowsill

On my front porch

Just like mom!

I have her small iron wheelbarrow placed by my front door with a plant on it. Just like she did. The plant is from Shaniel's funeral. I love this! It reminds me every day that Shaniel, mom, and dad are healthy, living, busy and engaged in doing good works... just like we are here. They really are here with us, we just can't see them. I love the tender mercies of a loving Father In Heaven. He allows the memories of our loved ones to pierce deep into our hearts and souls and they remain vividly with us until the very end of our own lives. What a wonderful blessing to have!

Happy Birthday Dad!

July 24th... it seems like it were yesterday that I saw dad. Oh... the memories! Seeing him roughing it outdoors with game and critters of every kind, the grin on his face, the hearty laughter as he told his dry jokes, the twinkle in his beautiful and piercing blue eyes, the tender moments when he taught me about the majesty of God's creations, and the happiness that radiated from his heart and soul makes me love him more each day. I can't wait to see him. My father, my friend. 
Month in Review