A Slushy Tradition

It's just about that time of year again! Soon the Famous Fruitway, Hwy 89, will be dotted with local Farmers fruit stands displaying a variety of fruits and vegetables. Since we, ourselves, own a fruit orchard along the Fruitway, we too will have an ample supply of delicious and delightful fruits. Mixing up a smoothie, milk shake, or good-for-you refreshing flavored water... using fresh fruits from the orchard..... well, there's nothing better than that!

Aside from our fresh fruit drinks, I have another all time favorite. Mom's Fruit Slush. In fact, it's been a favorite drink to mix up for family wedding receptions. About 40 years worth! That surely places it in the category of tradition. With each wedding, whether it was one of us kids, or one of the grandchildren, mom would spend hours in the kitchen several days prior to the wedding... preparing the fruit concoction, dividing it among ice cream buckets, and freezing them until serving time. Mom's Fruit Slush is delightfully delicious to the taste. It's tangy. It's sweet. Has big chucks of fruit. It is icy and tantalizes the taste buds. It's the perfect drink to serve with delicate finger foods. It is pretty when placed in a clear glass, and topped with fresh strawberries. 

Here's to a great Slushy tradition! 

Fruit Slush

Ingredients

3 cups water          

3 cups sugar

3 lemons, juiced

3 oranges, juiced

3 bananas, slightly smashed 

3 cups pineapple juice

Directions

1. Boil sugar and water together 
2. Cool 
3. Add other ingredients 
4. Freeze until ready to serve

To Serve:

1. Scoop frozen fruit mixture (ice cream scoop works well) into a glass
2. Pour 7-Up or Ginger Ale over fruit mixture
3. Top with fresh strawberries

writing prompt #5: Refreshments anyone? Prepare a drink for us and share the recipe.

Alice in Wonderland

Mad Hatter:  Have I gone MAD?

Alice:  I'm afraid so. You're entirely bonkers. But, I'll tell you a secret, all the best people are.

Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

This is an invitation I made and sent out to the kids for our annual tea party. I added my own overlay from a picture taken at the tea party. This year's theme... Mad Hatter's Tea. We met at the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point where we drank curious beverages, ate white rabbit crunch, fruits and veggies, miniature sandwiches and cupcakes before making our way into the 55 acre garden. The grandkids wore Mad Hatter hats of all things!  It was a splendid day. Warm weather, beautiful tulips, waterfalls, a secret garden, brick pathways, and interesting conversations made for a curious and wonderful adventure. Just like Alice in Wonderland!

Faith

In other words... "faith without works is dead!"

We own a fruit orchard. It takes a lot of work. When we bought the 5 acre piece of property, it was on a hill side that slopped and formed a bowl at the bottom. The property was full of sage brush, weeds, and lots of rocks. The neighbors around us said we were foolish and that we would never get anything to grow there. But.... we had FAITH! We knew it would take a lot of hard work. We knew what we were getting ourselves into. And we went to work! 

Fifteen years later, we now have a beautiful orchard. In fact, it is one of the nicest looking orchards along the famous fruitway in Northern Utah. We grow peaches, apricots, pears, plums, nectarines, apples, cherries, grapes, and blackberries. Our orchard started out as a hobby. It now supplements our income, and often times succeeds it. 

Farmer [D] and I know from experience that FAITH works! 

Finder's Keepers?

Have you ever went to a store or a fast food place and got back too much change? Or... made a purchase and an item wasn't charged? I have several times. I usually didn't say anything and just kept the change or didn't offer to pay for the item that I wasn't charged for. I figured they should be paying better attention. Their loss, my gain. Well... not so fast. That is stealing, isn't it?

My guilt usually got the best of me. I confess. I haven't paid back all things. It's either been too long ago, or I've moved, or I can't remember who I owe. But on one occasion the guilt was just too much and I went back to a Dairy Queen several months later, told the manager about not being charged for a milk shake, and gave her the money for it.

The "little things" aren't as little as they might seem when minutes, hours, days, months, and even years go by and you still have the guilt. So one day I had had enough. I made a resolve that I was never going to be dishonest again. "Lord... test me again!" I said. "I'll do the right thing this time."

Well, lo and behold, it wasn't only but a day or two later, and He did. I went into a local grocery store. The doors automatically opened up, and what was sitting right in the middle of the floor just inside the door? MONEY! It wasn't just a few bills, it was a $100.00. "Oh, Lord." I thought. "This is a test!" I looked around to see if anyone looked like they were searching for money. I stuck the money in my pocket and walked up and down the isles looking for a clue, any clue. No one seemed to be in a panic. You know the old saying... "finder's keepers, loser's weepers." Well, I have to admit, it entered my mind a time or two. Another confession... I had a little battle going on inside my mind for a few minutes. "Should I keep it; should I not?"

But I knew what I needed to do. I had to do the right thing. I was going to pass this test! I approached the service desk and asked for the manager. I asked him if anyone had come looking for money they had dropped. Not one person! I then told him I found some money and gave it to him. What he did with it, I'll never know. But.....I DIDN'T KEEP IT! I passed the test. 

writing prompt #4: Something you stole

Easter Lilly

Jesus said... I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.  John 11:25

I can see it and remember it just like it were yesterday. Mom bought a beautiful white Lilly for Easter every year. She set it in the living room, where it complemented the soothing colors of  blue and green. A floral scent... very unique, filled our home early Easter morn. It's hard to describe it's delicate fragrance, but if you have ever had an Easter Lilly, you will never forget it. I have had to have one every year for Easter, as well. The smell and sight of the beautiful white Easter Lilly brings back wonderful memories of home.

The petals of the Lilly are pure and white, symbolizing birth... new life. I learned about the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the time I was a very young child. I am grateful for the gift of the resurrection. It gives me great comfort in knowing I will see my sweet daughter, my mother and father, and other loved ones again. There is no greater gift. I truly am grateful for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Six Quotes that Inspire Me

I love quotes. Depending on what's going on in my life at the time, I can usually find one or more that tells it just like I need!

Right now... my life, my family's life, has been turned upside down. We lost a beautiful daughter a couple of months ago... taken too soon from the person who should have loved and protected her the most, her own husband. Unthinkable and so very hard to believe. I can't even wrap my head around it. Shaniel was a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, and mother. So loved. And will be so missed.

Prayer, scriptures, words of comfort, a forgiving heart, faith and hope in the atonement and plan of salvation brings me both peace and comfort. I will see my sweet angel daughter again. Joy will come in the morning.

sweet daughter.. 'til we meet again

The top picture was taken at the cemetery. After a lovely funeral service at the church house, we proceeded to the city cemetery. A heartfelt and teary tribute was given to my sweet angel, from her co-workers at Community Nursing Services. Each nurse placed a purple rose on her casket after the tribute. It was very touching. Balloons were released towards the heavens, symbolizing Love and Hope.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 2nd Counselor in the First Presidency, gave a talk entitled The Infinite Power of Hope,  April 2013 LDS General Conference. I used a quote from his talk, but changed it slightly to meet my own thoughts. 

"Hope... is like a beam of sunlight rising up and above the horizon of our present circumstances. It pierces the darkness with a brilliant dawn..."

Logan LDS Temple

Quote by Thomas S. Monson as quoted by Carl B. Cook

I love to see the temple. I love to go there, too. And I agree... looking up can heal great sorrows.

I am inspired by my father and his ability to tell a story. Not just any story, but his story. The above quote was taken from his personal history book. His life was colorful and full of adventure around every corner. Had he not taken the time to write his story, we would have missed out on a real treasure. Dad's example has inspired me to write my story, as well.

The introduction of dad's personal history books sums up just how important it is to tell your own story.

Everyone should write a personal history. If you don’t write it, it may be written by someone else. My face is really not mine alone. It was not shaped by my victories or defeats, joys or sorrows alone, but was designed before I ever drew a living breath. It began with my great grandfather, grandmother – or was it their parents – or theirs? I’m made up of a peculiar blend of an ancestral reservoir – a little bit of him, a touch of her!

Missy Moo showing grandma her plants for the garden. It takes hard work to plant the seed, water, and care for them until they can be transplanted in to the garden. 

My great grandmother (my dad's grandmother) was another great writer. She wrote her personal history over many years, and as a result, her family has been blessed to know her, really know her. The above quote was taken out of her book. And I couldn't agree with her more. Working, especially in the garden, is very therapeutic and good for both the mind and body. It truly is a blessing.

President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I sure do love him!

Six Seven Quotes

My all time favorite quote by Joseph B. Wirthlin, LDS apostle. 

His talk, given during General Conference 2008, was on having an optimistic outlook on life... in whatever situation you find yourself in. These few simple words have always remained with me. They remind me that life wasn't meant to be easy, but there is JOY in the journey. There is always something to be learned. That's how we grow!

If you like quotes and taking pictures, then you will love participating in QUOTOGRAPHY.  Click on the button below this post and check it out!

writing prompt #1: list 6 of your favorite quotes

Lollipop

When I was four years old, mother put me in dancing. I loved it! One of my favorite songs to dance to was "The Good Ship Lollipop". I danced to many of the Shirley Temple songs.

The Good Ship Lollipop

music by R. Whiting and words by S. Clare

I've thrown away my toys

Even my drum and train.

I wanna make some noise

With real live aeroplanes.

Some day I'm going to fly.

I'll be a pilot too.

And when I do, how would you 

Like to be my crew...

On the good ship lollipop.

It's a sweet trip to a candy shop

Where bon-bons play

On the sunny beach of Peppermint Bay.

Lemonade stands everywhere.

Crackerjack bands fill the air.

And there you are

Happy landing on a chocolate bar.

See the sugar bowl do the tootsie roll

Withe the big bad devils food cake.

If you eat too much ooh ooh

You'll awake with a tummy ache,

On the good ship lollipop

It's a night trip into bed you hop

And dream away

On the good ship lollipop.

Bean

... a small black chicken

Every year at Easter time, when my children were young, we got some fertilized eggs from a farmer friend to incubate. One year we got some Banty eggs. Banty's are very small chickens and their eggs are smaller than usual. We had great success in hatching the eggs. On day 21, they began to hatch. One by one, the little black chicks pecked their way out of their shells. It was always an amazing sight to see the miracle of birth. Something you never tire of.

After the chicks hatched, we put them in a big box in the kitchen with a heat lamp overhead. Newspaper and sawdust were placed on the bottom to keep the chicks as dry as possible. We heard non-stop peeping from the chicks. They ran around the box chasing each other, peeping excitedly. After some chicken scratch and a little drink, they gathered in a corner of the box in a big huddle. Feather to feather, on top of each other with no space to spare. The peeping would settle down and they would doze off for a bit.

When the weather was warm enough for the chicks to be outdoors, we put them in a large wired cage to slowly get used to the cooler temperatures. The heat lamp continued to be a comfort to the growing chicks. It wasn't long before the chicks grew enough to venture out in the yard. We noticed one of the chicks growing a comb on its head. We had a rooster! We named him BEAN.

Bean had a personality all his own. He pranced around the yard like he owned the place. He had beautiful black feathers with green, red and gold colored feathers intertwined. His red comb complimented his look. He was handsome all right. He knew it, and the hens knew it! We did not have a chicken house. The chickens roamed the back yard and pretty much stayed there. Bean had a favorite place to perch and rest... on the kitchen window sill that overlooked the front porch. He was a funny thing to watch. He would fly up to the window sill, stretch his neck as far as he could, cock his head from side to side, and crow his little heart out. It started out as a half-cockeyed sound of a crow, but he practiced his crowing skills until he got it right. So now Bean had all the rights of waking, not only the hens up, but the neighborhood up as well. I wonder what our neighbors thought... we were in city limits after all!

One day, we woke up to... no cock-a-doodle-do sound from Bean. Where was Bean? We couldn't find him anywhere in the yard. We were so sad. We missed him. 

A day went by, a few days, a week, two weeks. No sign of Bean. It was getting to be late summer; close to county Fair days. One particular day, the kids went to Willow Park to see the animals, play in the water, and on the playground. The park was located across main street, about five blocks west of our house. The fair grounds were just to the north, adjacent Willow Park. As the kids made their way back home after their day of play, they walked past some outbuildings on the fair grounds. The last building was a wood barn, painted green. Low and behold, there in the corner of the barn, happily pecking the ground for seed, was Bean. BEAN! How could that be? He had wandered away from home and even crossed busy main street. He had been gone two weeks, and we had worried about him this whole time. But Bean had no worries. He had found a chicken's paradise... the Fair grounds! What better place to be with all the abundant shade, buildings, trees, grass, endless water and food. Bean had made his way to the Fair! 

Of course, the kids were more than delighted to scoop Bean up in their arms and carry him back home... 

Home to sit in the window sill, practice his crowing skills, and watch over his brood of hens! Bean never ventured from home after that.

writing prompt: An Easter Memory