When I was growing up, my Mother use to make snow ice cream. In the winter it was easy to find clean fresh snow. Usually all it amounted towas walking out the front door and picking a spot in the clean snow.
I can still remember the coming of the first snowfall. I and my siblings would start to ask our Mother if she would make snow ice cream, almost as the first snowflakes fell. Mom would usually put us off for awhile, with statements like you need to get your chores done; or it is almost time to eat; or do you have your homework done?
We knew the routine and that just seemed to pike our anticipation. After the chores and homework were completed and we had eaten our evening meal, Mom would say well someone needs to get the snow.
Several of us would scurry to get our coats on and rushed outside with the largest mixing bowls and serving spoons we could find. The harvesting the snow didn't take long at all and then we were back inside with the bowls laden with snow.
We would anxiously watch as the vanilla, sugar and canned milk mixture was folded into the snow. I can still remember the taste of the first bite of the snow ice cream. And I with my brothers would eat it as quickly as we could so we could get another bowl. I always got a brain freeze eating the snow ice cream so fast but it was worth it.
A couple of weeks ago, we had a storm come through and drop about 12 inches of snow on the ground. All of our children have grown up liking snow ice cream. My daughter, son and I asked my wife if she would make snow ice cream for us.
My daughter Sarah volunteered to go out and get the snow. She took my wife's biggest metal mixing bowl and filled it about four inches above the rim. It just a few minutes the ice cream was made and what memories it brought back. I really enjoyed eating the snow ice cream.
When my wife mixed up the vanilla, sugar and canned milk mixture, she made more then was needed that night. The next day. I told my wife I didn't want to waste the rest of the ice cream mixture and asked if she would make snow ice cream, again. Yea that is right, we had snow ice cream two nights in a row.
What sweet memories!! I hope you too can find the time to have snow ice cream and make memories. What a beautiful thing.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Snow storm
As you can see I haven't been on my blog for several weeks. This in part has to do with, the difficulty I have had in my own life to see the beautiful things of this life. Being unemployed for 15 months has dulled my senses to things around me.
However, yesterday we had our second snow storm of the season. Even though I normally find snow a beautiful thing, I haven't been seeing much beauty in anything. During the first snow of the season, my daughter said "isn't this so beautiful, I just love snow." I looked at her with as much disbelief as I could and I said " ya what ever." She wasn't to be deterred though and went on to explain all the reasons she thought it was beautiful.
I was a little resentful that she could see the beauty of the situation and I couldn't. I thought how could she be seeing anything beautiful when the only thing I was seeing was long months of depression, cold, working cutting wood and short days.
Also, I enjoy the changing of the colors in the Autumn season. This year how ever, it seemed we had about one week of fall where the leaves started to change and then snow. Most of the trees still had leaves on the branches when the first snow hit. I felt deprived of the beauties of Autumn.
As I stated at the first of this post, yesterday opened my eyes a little. The second snow storm had hit. It wasn't a very big storm but I was feeling very gloomy. I was struggling with the weight of unemployment and the feeling of not seeming to be useful when it happened.
Suddenly, I realized that the sun was struggling and fighting to break through the clouds. I mentioned to my wife that she needed to look because that might be the only bright spot we would see all day. A minute or to later the sun was out completely. There was a large hole in the clouds and the sun was warming the outdoors.
I appreciated seeing the sun and briefly it brought a measure of warmth to my soul. However, it seemed I lapsed back into my depression and it seemed, if anything, to deepen. I went to bed early last night just worn out from my inability to see anything of beauty in my life. I was totally discouraged.
This morning I awoke about 2:30am and as I laid in bed, I was thinking about life. Suddenly the remembrance of the sun struggling and fighting then finally breaking through the clouds came to me. I realized that even the sun at times struggles and fights to shine forth with all of it's brilliance. And even though I find snow beautiful, the beautiful thing for me yesterday came from watching the struggling of the sun.
I am not saying that my depression has been cured or that I won't lapse back into a not so beautiful state of mind but I do appreciate the Lord helping me to remember a beautiful moment, when at first I failed to see it.
As the Hymn says, "there is beauty all around", we just need to be willing to struggle and fight to see it.
It is snowing again, I wonder what can be found that is beautiful in this storm?
However, yesterday we had our second snow storm of the season. Even though I normally find snow a beautiful thing, I haven't been seeing much beauty in anything. During the first snow of the season, my daughter said "isn't this so beautiful, I just love snow." I looked at her with as much disbelief as I could and I said " ya what ever." She wasn't to be deterred though and went on to explain all the reasons she thought it was beautiful.
I was a little resentful that she could see the beauty of the situation and I couldn't. I thought how could she be seeing anything beautiful when the only thing I was seeing was long months of depression, cold, working cutting wood and short days.
Also, I enjoy the changing of the colors in the Autumn season. This year how ever, it seemed we had about one week of fall where the leaves started to change and then snow. Most of the trees still had leaves on the branches when the first snow hit. I felt deprived of the beauties of Autumn.
As I stated at the first of this post, yesterday opened my eyes a little. The second snow storm had hit. It wasn't a very big storm but I was feeling very gloomy. I was struggling with the weight of unemployment and the feeling of not seeming to be useful when it happened.
Suddenly, I realized that the sun was struggling and fighting to break through the clouds. I mentioned to my wife that she needed to look because that might be the only bright spot we would see all day. A minute or to later the sun was out completely. There was a large hole in the clouds and the sun was warming the outdoors.
I appreciated seeing the sun and briefly it brought a measure of warmth to my soul. However, it seemed I lapsed back into my depression and it seemed, if anything, to deepen. I went to bed early last night just worn out from my inability to see anything of beauty in my life. I was totally discouraged.
This morning I awoke about 2:30am and as I laid in bed, I was thinking about life. Suddenly the remembrance of the sun struggling and fighting then finally breaking through the clouds came to me. I realized that even the sun at times struggles and fights to shine forth with all of it's brilliance. And even though I find snow beautiful, the beautiful thing for me yesterday came from watching the struggling of the sun.
I am not saying that my depression has been cured or that I won't lapse back into a not so beautiful state of mind but I do appreciate the Lord helping me to remember a beautiful moment, when at first I failed to see it.
As the Hymn says, "there is beauty all around", we just need to be willing to struggle and fight to see it.
It is snowing again, I wonder what can be found that is beautiful in this storm?
Monday, October 3, 2011
Garden Royalty
Throughout the years I have found various surprises in the garden when harvesting the produce. This year was no exception. I went out, the end of last week, to harvest some of the last of our tomatoes and found a surprise.
I didn't have that many tomatoes to pick, however, a cold front was reportedly moving into our area. I wanted to pick the tomatoes before they froze. I worked quickly and picked enough tomatoes to can about 3 quarts of diced tomatoes.
My wife was going to can the tomatoes on Friday but I told her if she waited until Saturday I would help her. She was agreeable to that so I got up early on Saturday to wash the tomatoes. As I was washing the tomatoes I found that when I had picked the tomatoes apparently our tomatoes were being visited by Tomato Royalty.
I know that sounds strange and might seem unbelievable so I took several pictures and put them together. As you can see from the picture, I did capture one of the Royal Tomatoes.
I certainly feel bad that I hadn't notice this sooner. By the time I realized I had grabbed a Royal Tomato, his crown had already started to dry up.
I am not sure what effect this will have on my future tomato gardens. I am hoping this won't cause an Idaho tomato famine nor discourage the future visits to my garden, from the Tomato Royalty.
However, I do plan to treat him with the same relish and respect I would give to his subjects. I savor the thought of inviting this Royal Tomato to join me and my family at our next dinner. I hope that he will find this feast as tasty as I shall.
Not being of royal blood myself, it is hard to imagine what it will be like for this Royal Tomato. I can only think that he will not find the meal to his liking but one can hope. Not wanting to offend him, we will do our best to treat him as royally as possible. I am sure that what ever we do will provide us with a satisfied feeling.
It certainly is a beautiful thing when the Tomato Royalty pays you a visit. I hope that you can see the beauty in your garden of life. May you find happiness in your garden!
I didn't have that many tomatoes to pick, however, a cold front was reportedly moving into our area. I wanted to pick the tomatoes before they froze. I worked quickly and picked enough tomatoes to can about 3 quarts of diced tomatoes.
My wife was going to can the tomatoes on Friday but I told her if she waited until Saturday I would help her. She was agreeable to that so I got up early on Saturday to wash the tomatoes. As I was washing the tomatoes I found that when I had picked the tomatoes apparently our tomatoes were being visited by Tomato Royalty.
I know that sounds strange and might seem unbelievable so I took several pictures and put them together. As you can see from the picture, I did capture one of the Royal Tomatoes.
I am not sure what effect this will have on my future tomato gardens. I am hoping this won't cause an Idaho tomato famine nor discourage the future visits to my garden, from the Tomato Royalty.
However, I do plan to treat him with the same relish and respect I would give to his subjects. I savor the thought of inviting this Royal Tomato to join me and my family at our next dinner. I hope that he will find this feast as tasty as I shall.
Not being of royal blood myself, it is hard to imagine what it will be like for this Royal Tomato. I can only think that he will not find the meal to his liking but one can hope. Not wanting to offend him, we will do our best to treat him as royally as possible. I am sure that what ever we do will provide us with a satisfied feeling.
It certainly is a beautiful thing when the Tomato Royalty pays you a visit. I hope that you can see the beauty in your garden of life. May you find happiness in your garden!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
My first college football game
It isn't often that an opportunity comes to be with and hangout with my sons. For about two years now, a couple of my sons have been trying to plan and coordinate an opportunity to attend a Brigham Young University football game. This was accomplished last Friday night.
Six of my seven sons were able to attend, Darrick the middle son was not there. It was fun spending time and hanging out with my sons Robert, James, Micah, John, David and Jarom and two of my older grandsons Jacob and Aram.
I had attended Brigham Young University 1976-1978 but I never had a chance to attend a football game. I worked every Saturday during the football seasons I was there.
Most of my sons have grown up with me listening with my ear glued to the radio as BYU played their games. I think most of them enjoy BYU football now but watched me as I would rant and rave about the games. After a few years of that, my wife put her foot down and said no more BYU football unless I could control my ranting. I think some of my sons inherited some of my football attitude.
It was fun to watch as they interacted with each other during the game and it was fun being included in that interaction on a different level of association. One of my grandsons cheered on the offense and/or defense all game long. We were in the nosebleed seating but he had fun yelling for the team.
It was a fun time and an evening I will remember and cherish the rest of my life. It was a beautiful evening, a family moment if you will.
I hope you have opportunities like that in your life and can spend time with your family. This life is about developing relationships with our families. GO BYU!! GO Family!!!
Six of my seven sons were able to attend, Darrick the middle son was not there. It was fun spending time and hanging out with my sons Robert, James, Micah, John, David and Jarom and two of my older grandsons Jacob and Aram.
I had attended Brigham Young University 1976-1978 but I never had a chance to attend a football game. I worked every Saturday during the football seasons I was there.
Most of my sons have grown up with me listening with my ear glued to the radio as BYU played their games. I think most of them enjoy BYU football now but watched me as I would rant and rave about the games. After a few years of that, my wife put her foot down and said no more BYU football unless I could control my ranting. I think some of my sons inherited some of my football attitude.
It was fun to watch as they interacted with each other during the game and it was fun being included in that interaction on a different level of association. One of my grandsons cheered on the offense and/or defense all game long. We were in the nosebleed seating but he had fun yelling for the team.
It was a fun time and an evening I will remember and cherish the rest of my life. It was a beautiful evening, a family moment if you will.
I hope you have opportunities like that in your life and can spend time with your family. This life is about developing relationships with our families. GO BYU!! GO Family!!!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Fresh Garden Produce
In some of my earlier posts I mentioned that our garden had suffered a lot trying to grow. There was frost, hail, wind, rain, snow and horses. It has been a real experience nurturing the garden.
I replanted some of the pumpkins, twice. I lost one tomato plant and thought I would lose two others and I have watered the garden hoping that something besides the weeds would grow.
Today, as I watered the garden, I wondered at the ability of the plants left in the garden to not only survive but to produce. I don't know that the cost of what is produced will out weigh the cost of buying the produce from the store but it is certainly more pleasurable.
I have harvested several tomatoes and look forward to make salsa from our harvest. I have also harvested about a dozen onions and have about eighteen more to harvest.
All the time I have put into the garden certainly didn't seem like it is worth until I ate a slice of the first tomato. The taste was indescribable and I knew all the time and effort was worth it.
I won't get a lot of produce off my garden before the first seasonal frost but when I am eating salsa this winter I won't mind it at all.
I hope you had a beautiful time with your garden this year. If you didn't have a garden contact me next spring and I will put you in touch with a nice fertile piece of ground.
I replanted some of the pumpkins, twice. I lost one tomato plant and thought I would lose two others and I have watered the garden hoping that something besides the weeds would grow.
Today, as I watered the garden, I wondered at the ability of the plants left in the garden to not only survive but to produce. I don't know that the cost of what is produced will out weigh the cost of buying the produce from the store but it is certainly more pleasurable.
I have harvested several tomatoes and look forward to make salsa from our harvest. I have also harvested about a dozen onions and have about eighteen more to harvest.
All the time I have put into the garden certainly didn't seem like it is worth until I ate a slice of the first tomato. The taste was indescribable and I knew all the time and effort was worth it.
I won't get a lot of produce off my garden before the first seasonal frost but when I am eating salsa this winter I won't mind it at all.
I hope you had a beautiful time with your garden this year. If you didn't have a garden contact me next spring and I will put you in touch with a nice fertile piece of ground.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Working with my sons
Yesterday, I had a beautiful experience working with three of my sons and two grandsons. My son James was working on his basement and had asked the other two sons if they would come and help him. I sort of tagged a long.
My one son Jarom and I worked on removing a rock facade surrounding the fireplace. James and Robert worked at removing some old interior walls and started framing a side wall. Jacob and Ethan my grandsons worked on removing some old shelving.
Removing the rock facade was a dusty and dirty process. We had a power chisel which was a great help. Jarom started on the wall and I started hauling the removed rock out to James' pickup. After awhile Jarom got tired holding the chisel chest high so we traded places and continued to work, relieving each other on the rock project.
After about four hours, nearly 2:00 PM, we broke for lunch and as I sat down I started to remember muscles I had forgotten about. I sat feeling a little weary from the hard physical work but basked in the thought of the enjoyment that comes when you work with sons and grandsons to accomplish a task.
The lunch was very good. It would have been good by it's self but was more tasty because of the hard work that was shared.
We returned to work for another hour before we had to leave to go our separate ways. The job of removing the rock facade and mortar was completed, with all the rock hauled to James' truck. The shelving and walls were removed and James and Robert framed the outside wall to the fireplace.
It was a beautiful day. A memory to cherish. I woke up this morning stiff and sore but relishing the memory of working with my sons and grandsons.
When I was younger, I didn't enjoy that kind of work day as I did yesterday. I am relatively sure my grandsons would have enjoyed playing or hanging out together in a different setting more. I, however thought it was a beautiful day.
I hope you can find opportunities to build memories with your family and have a beautiful day. Custom Leathercraft 125M Handyman Flex Grip Work Gloves, Medium
My one son Jarom and I worked on removing a rock facade surrounding the fireplace. James and Robert worked at removing some old interior walls and started framing a side wall. Jacob and Ethan my grandsons worked on removing some old shelving.
Removing the rock facade was a dusty and dirty process. We had a power chisel which was a great help. Jarom started on the wall and I started hauling the removed rock out to James' pickup. After awhile Jarom got tired holding the chisel chest high so we traded places and continued to work, relieving each other on the rock project.
After about four hours, nearly 2:00 PM, we broke for lunch and as I sat down I started to remember muscles I had forgotten about. I sat feeling a little weary from the hard physical work but basked in the thought of the enjoyment that comes when you work with sons and grandsons to accomplish a task.
The lunch was very good. It would have been good by it's self but was more tasty because of the hard work that was shared.
We returned to work for another hour before we had to leave to go our separate ways. The job of removing the rock facade and mortar was completed, with all the rock hauled to James' truck. The shelving and walls were removed and James and Robert framed the outside wall to the fireplace.
It was a beautiful day. A memory to cherish. I woke up this morning stiff and sore but relishing the memory of working with my sons and grandsons.
When I was younger, I didn't enjoy that kind of work day as I did yesterday. I am relatively sure my grandsons would have enjoyed playing or hanging out together in a different setting more. I, however thought it was a beautiful day.
I hope you can find opportunities to build memories with your family and have a beautiful day. Custom Leathercraft 125M Handyman Flex Grip Work Gloves, Medium
Friday, August 19, 2011
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