Summer Journal

Summer would not be complete

without a trip to Idaho to see my sis. whom I adore along with myriads of others who enjoy her. Judy is eighteen months younger than I and we have always been very close, even while growing up and sharing the same bedroom. As teenagers we used to save our babysitting money and the quarters we earned selling tomatoes house to house till we had enough to take the bus to downtown Salt Lake. There we would shop the fabric stores for bargains, buy a treat at Kress's Five and Dime Store, and then ride the bus home with our treasures. It was always so much fun. Then we sewed our school wardrobe.

We walked through the park that is across the
river from the Idaho Falls Temple. Rainstorms threatened, which gave me some dramatic shots
of the temple.


I especially love the photo where the sun broke through the clouds and highlighted the temple
in a spectacular way.

Here is my remarkable dad Howard Hoffman. He turned 94 years old a few weeks after our visit. Always one to enjoy discussing politics, he is just as interesting as ever and just as well read. He is filled with a deep-rooted love of America, as I remember his dad, my Grandpa Edward Hoffman, was; he read several newspapers a day and was well-informed on the issues of his time, too.

I just love my dad. He has taught me steadfastness, sacrifice, and persistence. He often reminded me as a little girl that I could do about anything I wanted to if I set a goal and persevered. He believed in me before I believed in myself.

No one is a harder worker. This cheerful man never complains-- except about politicians and intrusive government. He is a real patriot. I feel deeply blessed that he is mine.

Here we are out for a walk. Judy gives dad a push in his wheelchair when they go out; he doesn't need the chair at home. She tells me how much she enjoys having Dad there to discuss their radio shows and emails.

They are kindred spirits and there is never a dull moment between them.


To our chagrin, their views have proven to be exactly right!





Cisco is making his famous guacamole dip by request from Doug and Barb. Joseph is waiting to be first to taste. We enjoy a good meal together.

Christina and Sarah are preparing the gourmet turkey burgers for dinner. Sarah found the recipe and put it together. It was absolutely delicious and we all loved them!

Sweet Eliza stands before a very creative cake contest at the elementary school. She and Peter are on a Grandma Date at the carnival. We bought some great-tasting cupcakes.

Peter's favorite ride!

Nathan surprised everyone with a bagpipe solo as he accompanied his school choir in one of their neighbors. Instant stardom! He is a young man of MANY talents! (Including singing. In the school choir.)

Another singing number from a musical. (Was it Newsies?)

One weekend the Livingston kids came to stay while Lane and Liz travelled. (I've forgotten where.) We had a lot of fun. The kids helped me wash the car and we enjoyed driving in a clean car.

The kids pose while we stopping at Cabella's to see the aquarium and the stuffed life-size animals. Peter was most disappointed that we could not get into the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point because so many people were waiting to get in. ( The line went around the block.) We were disappointed as well, but Cabella's turned out to be somewhat of a good second choice.)

Doug visits with Lee while Liz prepares a marvelous barbecue of shrimp kabobs for Lane's birthday guests. The wind comes up and becomes so gusty the barbecue threatens to get blown away and dinner gets moved inside. Doug has to retreat home, but Anna and the children playing outside scarcely notice it.

Rebecca helps with the kabobs.

Liz seems to enjoy entertaining. She has everything planned down to the last detail.

(Doesn't that sound like Lizzie? She is so thorough.)

Anna runs in the wind playing outside while

dinner cooks.

Wish I remembered the joke!

No clever captions. Just, THE END.

Scareeeey Halloween!

This picture just doesn't do me justice.

You know I am really getting old when the most exciting thing to blog about is a medical prodecure!

My mom said I was always late and a dollar short. Well, it is November and I have finally figured out how to make my computer post a photo. (Took two computer experts to unravel my zip-locked photos, and then the blog wouldn't accept them! Is there a message here?) Anyway, I know you are dying to know the story behind this scarey picture (which is much scarier in living size and color--without the mud pack and the saran wrap!) In a moment of insanity last month I agreed with Dr. Donaldsen, our dermatologist, that I needed the "blue light" procedure to kill pre-cancerous cells on the face. I mean, how awful could it be? (Pretty awful.)
So last Wednesday in his office, after sponging my face with nail-polish remover (acteone), the medical assistant (--"I've done this now two months!") painted a chemical on my sanitized, oil-free skin. (You think you had dry skin before?) This chemical would interact, I'm told, with abnormal cells under the "blue light," apparently blowing them to smithereens or causing them to self-destruct. Since there were 90 minutes before the light would be applied, I drove three miles home to hurry and clean house. After all, I might not feel like doing dishes or mopping the floor for weeks! (Doesn't take much encouragement there.) Eighty minutes later I returned to the office to go under the "blue light" for exactly sixteen minutes and forty seconds. (Weird! Same time for everyone.) The chemical interaction made my skin sting but I talked fast and continuously with the medical assistant for distraction. After that I escaped.
By that night my skin was quite pink and rather sore. Four Reliv shakes. One pain pill to sleep since the pain was increasing. Next day my skin was red, sore. I used the ointment they gave me for the skin, but it didn't seem to help. One more pain pill for sleeping. The next day my eyes were nearly swollen shut, very puffy and miserable. I was a ghoul for sure, and Halloween was the next day. My leathery face was incredibly blotchy and deep scarlet. Maybe I had scarlet fever. O.K: the problem? How do I pass out all this Halloween candy I bought without terrifying the kids? (I had covered all mirrors with black.) I kind of felt like a witch, but I KNEW some of the people that would be coming by and I didn't want this initial door impression to remain etched in their minds forever-- or to haunt their children for years! What to do?
Enter Redmond Clay, a wonderful powdery clay with medicinal properties, useful for burns. Just happen to have some. (Thank you, preparedness class.) Pat it on thick to cover the beet-red blotches, then cover with Saran wrap to keep it moist. What to do with the mouth? Just cover it. Keep it simple. No need to explain anything. Just wrap yourself up! O.K., I can do that, and add a black wig, a beautician's haircutting cape, black pants, shoes, and gloves. Scarey enough, but not terrifying.
It's six o'clock. The kids start to come. Little kids in cute fairy costumes with wings and little boys in foiled-covered boxes. Their eyes are round and big. (Do I dare take any candy from this weird creature who just mumbles with pink blood-shot eyes?) The hope for candy wins -- they give in, take a few samples and make a hasty retreat down the steps. Parents don't know what to think. Some of them laugh. One dad studied me and said, "You're scarey." I thought, if you only knew. For the next two hours I answer the door, responding to questions and funny looks with "Hmmph humph humph!" (You try talking with your mouth closed.) About 90 minutes into the evening my neighbor Cee Cee rings the doorbell. "Sister McConochie, I had to come and see your costume. The kids say it's awesome!" She laughs and goes away thinking what a clever devil I am. Some of the older children walk down the steps saying to each other "Cool costume." I really scored big, I thought. Really worth it. Duh.
Finally it was nine o'clock, 6 Starburst pieces remained in the cute Halloween bowl, and I could unplug the plastic Halloween pumpkin glowing in the window and turn out the lights. Then I put the witch away and say hello to the ghoul. (Some people will do anything for a good costume.) The clincher? Doug said, "Cancel my appointment for that procedure. I'm not letting them anywhere near MY face!"

What am I going to be next Halloween?

A Peachy Summer and an Old-fashioned garden

Squash.... squash....and more squash.

Butternut squash-- my favorite! You better send me some recipes to deal with it all! Plenty to share.

Banana squash that grew enormous! Had help lifting it.

Lots more squash and apples.

Peter and I had so much fun digging up the new potatoes.

Grandpa was impressed. Have YOU ever seen new potatoes that size?

How the garden looked in early June.

Some of the harvest in September
.

The peaches were beautiful.

I'm Back! (Wild Applause)

My late-night computer time has been limited to editing the photos I took at Whitney and Keven's wedding, reading a few email, and trying to keep up the reading of my daughters' prolific and entertaining blogs before crashing in bed. I promised my girls I would make this blog an informal journal of events, but even that guilt could not drive me to the keyboard at the end of the day. There was just nothing in my brain at night! But after all is said.... weeks ago I took pictures some of the abundant produce from our garden. It looked so beautiful and I wanted to share with you my joy in a remarkable garden. Now the frost is on the pumpkin--I mean, squash-- and the beautiful lush green foliage is shriveling up under the frosty hand of cold nights. Late or not, here are the photos anyway. This was a Joyful Garden year and here is some of the proof! (Wish you could have enjoyed the harvest when y'all were here.)

Jewels of Summer

This is what kept me busy all September. By the end of August I was ready for a break-- but the garden won out. However, looking at these jewels of summer (or fall, as you may wish) supplies reward enough and they look so pretty I wanted to share the pictures. It will all taste wonderful this winter



and will bring back the senses and warmth
of summer. Canning brings me special pleasure
because it restores old memories of eating cold
peaches on a Sunday night in my childhood.

We did a lot of things besides garden this summer. In fact, besides watering there wasn't much to do till August. So check the next blog to see a photo journal of some of those activities.

Getting Skunked Today was the second time we took grandchildren fishing this summer. No doubt this conjures up picturesque visions of snow-topped mountains and fir trees, breezes blowing through your hair (Doug's crewcut?), azure lakes, wildflowers and fish jumping. Which is partly true. There was a mountain, plenty of greenery, and a pond. Three ponds, actually, mostly small. Also, mossy sea-weed-looking stringy stuff growing in the water which snagged our hooks when we cast our lines out or pulled them in, and had to be peeled off the line. A white plastic chair lay submerged near the edge, probably blown in by wind, and empty cartons plastic bottles or worm-cartons strewn around occasionally. Did I mention plenty of flies and two shaggy-looking black and white spotted dogs, both mellow and mildly interested in us? Two children, aged 13 and 8, Chalease and Dennis, were there to "help." Near the "gated" entrance to the trout farm was an old shed with a door that hung at a precarious angle and an ancient refrigerator which held cartons of worms and fish eggs. In the shed were some air rifles for shooting the cows across the street, which Nathan and Peter shot later. Peter later said that was his favorite part of the day! Also, some extra fishing poles leaned against an old table. Not much money invested here! Nature at its.... best? But there we were today, four young boys, a grandpa in a wheelchair, a grandma who hardly knew a trout from a shark, and an enthusiastic son-in-law. So off we went on our second fishing adventure. Last week we took Nathan, 13, and Peter, 5, (Livingston) with us. The air was pleasantly cool and gusty, blowing our lines where we didn't want them to go. Despite that, Doug caught the first fish, I caught one and Peter also. All in all, it amounted to 5 and 1/2 lbs of rainbow trout which we brought home and fried in butter for lunch. Yummy! After that success, we planned another outing today with two more grandchildren, Joseph 12, and Michael 10 (Soto.) Their father Cisco joined us, and Nathan and Peter again. This time the sun was hot, but still there was a slight breeze to keep the air pleasant. We plastered on some sunscreen and marched out to meet the fish. This time we arrived an hour earlier, so we felt confident the fish would bite soon. But as the hours dragged on, no one had caught a fish! Joseph had stepped unwittingly into the hole which Nathan stepped into twice last week, leaving his tennis shoes muddy and dripping. By then I had untangled Doug's line twice, cut and restrung it twice, and had threaded earthworms on his hooks. (This is not my normal preferred activity, but I have enough farmer in me to do it without shrinking, though if the worm wiggles a lot, I might jump! Amazing what necessity teaches.) Finally Cisco hollered, "I've got one! It's a big one!" And it was. About two-and-a-half pounds of beautiful gleaming, sun-glinting rainbow trout. Nathan grabbed it with a net (provided as a courtesy by the fish farm, all with holes in them) and we all shouted: "Careful! Don't let it get through the hole!" Then the hook was removed and the fish went from the pond to a 5-gallon bucket. No one caught another fish for an hour, but eventually Cisco caught another big trout, Michael caught a smaller fish, and Peter caught four tiny fish, including one that got away by flopping into a hole in the grass which drained back into the pond. The size of those small fish didn't dampen Peter's excitement one bit; he scarcely noticed they were nearly too tiny to eat! After four hours of fishing, we packed up our gear and left for home. Doug and I were skunked, as he says-- no bites for us. There was of course rivalry between everyone to see who could get the first fish, Doug being certain he would land the honor today, but luck would not have it. Nonetheless, we all left happy for the chance to share the challenge of landing these "stupid" creatures who race and jump to eat the dog food pellets thrown into the pond but are too smart to eat the juicy worms dangling on the hooks. Cisco caught his fish with the dogfood, but I couldn't seem to interest any. I must say, my casting was the best! (No fish to show for it, but I have to salvage my pride somehow!) We topped off the trip with lunch at Five Guys-- hamburgers and fries, natch. Cisco was beaming as he took his loot home to cook up for dinner with mango salsa and fresh herbs. Perfect ending of a perfect day. Except that we were skunked. Can't wait to go again. No pix for these trips; my camera is in the shop with shutter troubles. I feel lost without it. But I was too busy untangling fish line to take any pictures anyway. Come y'all down and we'll take ya fishin' with us!

The Best Two Weeks.

It seems as though my dreams of a quiet retirement are just that. Dreams. Instead, I'm busy running a full time hotel this summer.

For the past three weeks I've had non-stop guests.
Rebecca was here for two weeks, mixed with Livingstons and Erls.

It was crazy at times. The house got very loud. And messy. Thank goodness I could escape to my beloved garden and regroup.
(In my Reliv shirt, of course.)

It was wonderful. Especially when I got the flu from Rebecca and got to try out my new clay water. Worked like a charm!

Here are some highlights:

Me, after receiving the news that Rebecca and all FOUR of her kids would be staying. At my house. For TWO weeks.

A picnic in the canyon.
The weather was gorgeous.
And so was the grilled chicken I made.




Biting my tongue as I watched Hayden eat a steady diet of Honey Nut Cheerios and, well, let me see, um, I guess that's it. Yes. Honey Nut Cheerios.
(Debs, call me. Let's talk nutrition!)



Watching Paige turn my plant into an elaborate fairy house, complete with carpet (moss), designer bedspreads (leaves colored with crayons), a landscaped entryway (with rocks Mitchell stole from the canyon), trees (sprigs from a nearby bush, plucked, and planted in front of the house), and berries.



Rejoicing in Jane's request for bananas dipped in Reliv.
Brilliant idea, if I do say so myself.



I was in the kitchen 24/7 while they were here. Cooking. Cleaning. Cooking. Cleaning. Cooking. And cleaning. But this moment, in particular, stands out.
Helping Mitchell make garlic bread.
(And by the way Rebecca, if you don't mind me saying, I think your family eats too much starch. Call me. Let's chat nutrition.)



Finally understanding why Jane has no hair.



Watching Matt's mad volleyball skills. Is there anything this guy can't do?



My grandkids.






Watching my kids enjoy their kids.






Seeing Doug outside, in the fresh air, with a (gulp) smile!!!!!



Having a face like this peep out from behind those shutters. That playhouse is why I bought this home you know!



Playing with the grandkids.



The view.



Sewing a swimsuit for this fashionista, who wore it for five days straight once it was done!



My children.



See how happy they make us?



Fireworks.





It was an exhausting two weeks.
I'm pooped.




Can't wait till next year!