Neither Hide Nor Hair

So, I believe that Jennifer has NEVER posted anything on the blog. Jenn, Even DAD has posted something! C'mon! What's the deal? Now, I believe that Jenn and Mike have a computer. Although Jennifer is busy busy with three boys, if there's time for scrapbooking, there's gotta be time for blogging. We all know that there are many things going in their lives, but we don't know what for we have neither seen hide nor hair of them on the blog! I would like to see a post: something, anything! Otherwise it's hard for the rest of us to know that you still exist.

Eating Healthy- Veggies are Free

Vegetables-- Eat at least 3 helpings per day or as many as you can. During the summer harvests utilize those great gardens. Find out who has one and see if you can pick anything they have. As of Friday the Vawdrey garden is going to be open for business, since Lowell & LuVera are touring in Scandinavia for 17 days. You can bet we will be eating zuchinni, corn,tomatoes and peppers 24/7 per their invitation. That's right breakfast, lunch & dinner. Muffins, casserole, salsa, stuffed, steamed, grilled and so on. Anyone wanting some let me know & I will get extra for you.

Dark greens are the best, zucchini, green beans, peas, broccoli, peppers, lettuce and spinach. When they are on sale at the stores or a farmers market, buy and eat them every day. (Broccoli @ $.50-75 pr lb., peppers 3/00, lettuce/spinach $1. are good prices) Out of season watch for frozen food sales. (16oz up to $1.)

If you are dieting, the Weight Watchers diet says most veggies are free. That would be no points which includes all green ones. You may eat 10 baby carrots before they count. Corn is out. Eat up.

Thirty is Not That Old Anymore

When you’re a kid, thirty seems so far away especially if your parents say they're that old. Then as a teen it is like twice your age. Along the way you get busy with mission, school and easing into adulthood, pretty soon there it is just a few months away. Before you know it one day you wake up & BINGO! You are thirty.

That is probably how Jed is feeling today. Yeah, thirty! Oh, it isn’t so bad when you are two times his age. Thinking back you’ll say, ‘Wow such a long time ago. I was good looking and so fit then.’ Yeah, that would be Jed, now. Good looking and fit. Twenty nine was a tough year; but he made it through and has a great future.

He likes concerts, fishing, hunting and movies. He doesn’t like messes, peaches, or annoying kids. Who does? He is great with computers, finding good deals and getting his yard in shape. He is not demanding but is in demand, when his expertise is needed.

Jed, we hope you have a great birthday and year. We love you.

The Midnight Hike of Pal's Revere

Let me tell you a story, one that is so dear. It is the midnight hike of Dad, Jory, Heather & Mom Revere. We caught a few winks, filled our jugs and assembled head gear. Leaving at midnight, we headed for American Fork Canyon’s rear. Finding the last parking spot, we did cheer as we started up the trail with the sky so clear. Jory & Heather sped forward fording streams, snow fields and rock cliffs without fear. We waddled behind as if we’d drunk beer.

Dad pooped out half way with his legs wobbly and queer. I trudged on, lost my way, heard sounds and thought a bear was near. Hooking up with a group, we hiked on past an edge quite sheer; but I got behind again, because they ran after a deer. Soon a school principle sitting on a switch back did appear, saying he was finished for this year. I urged a gal chilled from the snow, her eyes full of tear. So we forged on toward the top & made it our career. At sunrise we stepped on Timpanogos' Saddle shouting, “We’re here!!”

Jory, at the peak with his face all a smear, kept watching & listening for us, with his ear. He curled up for a 2 hour snooze not realizing we were done with this cruise. We hiked eight to sixteen miles up and back. With aches & pains we’re now getting back on track. See a few pictures Al took and there you have it, our Friday full moon hiking habit. PS.I posted these photos on KSL.

The Dark Knight

I give The Dark Knight 4 stars. It was an entertaining movie with a lot of action and great acting. First of all, you can NEVER go wrong with Christian Bale. He's not only great looking, but is a great actor as well. Of course there's the (Oscar Buzzed about) Heath Ledger, who I always liked. The story is great - I've heard a lot of people say that it is a really dark movie and a lot of people say that is wasn't as dark as they'd expected. Who knows? The only drawbacks for me were that it did get a little long there towards the end, dragging on a bit. Also, I've heard a lot of people talk about Heath Ledger's voice (was it his own?, did they digitalize it?, etc.) but the voice that I was most bothered by was Batmans! I hated that he sounded all gruff and what have you - I mean I realize that he's disguising himself, but I would have preferred it to have been a little more normal.

The prized float of Grantsville

We did a float for the Grantsville 4th of July parade. Of course we had to fight about it the night before, like any normal people would. It actually turned out better than we thought it would. Aaron thought that the stuff around the bottom would fall off half way through the parade and it would look stupid but it lasted. All of the ward members said it was the best part of the parade, even the women that aren’t into dead stuff really liked it. After the parade we went to the park so people could come up and see Aarons work up close. A lot of people were really interested and hopefully it will generate a lot of business for us. Don’t you think this idea of mine, to be in the parade, was a great idea? Hope it worked! Next years will only be bigger and better, hope to see you all there.

Eating Healthy: My Pet Chia

Chia Seeds Chia, a super food, is a tiny seed from South America packed with lots of nutrition. It possesses 19% complete protein and all the essential amino acids needed. It carries the highest amount of essential fatty acids, more omega 3 than salmon, rich in vitamin B, C, calcium & minerals.

Two tablespoons of this tasteless chia in a cup of oj, juice or water, added to bread, soups, drinks or eaten as a snack will keep you full all morning. Great for dieters or a person that doesn’t eat the best of foods. Because of the cost, I am using 2 teaspoons daily which seems to satisfy. There is no taste whatsoever. I even made some Chia oj banana nut muffins. They were delicious and I couldnt even taste the banana which I really don't like baked.

At health food stores it sells for about $10 or more per pound. Some say that only the white seed is best. They both have the same and that is just a gimic. Brother Bob Koch has ordered 100 lbs. and selling it for $7. I have ordered some, so if you want to try it before you buy some, let me know.

Dad is even taking it daily for his breakfast to see if he can loose some pounds. I am trying the afternoons for my shot to help fend off those afternoon munchies that take control. I'll keep you posted on how we do with our new Chia pet.

No Bum Thumb for This Trigger Finger

As I walked down the surgical hall to my appointed spot, I saw several procedures taking place in each windowed room along the way. Operating station No. 5 had a big 2x4ft. air filled plastic cushion waiting for me on my table to prop up my different parts. Although I don't remember, Allan tells me the surgery only took fifteen minutes. Directions were given while the tubes were being removed, not to do much for the rest of the day. Dad took the advice for himself and obeyed it literally. When I slept, he slept and so forth.

Looking at the 4x4 inch bruise on my left hand, it is easy to understand that it hurt as much as the surgical site. The nurse failed to compress the artery when the iv was pulled out. Blood coursed under the skin until we discovered it bulging 1 inch high on the back of my hand. After a week of sporting a big ace bandage half way up my arm, the dressings were removed to see this small incision with its dissolving stitches.

SUCCESS!! The thumb now moves as it should.
MORAL of the Story: Don't buy Christmas nuts for $1 per pound and shell them days on end for weeks, because they will end up costing you in the end $100 per lb.

What You Don’t Know About Your Gray Haired Granny?

While visiting my sister Paula in Nebraska, I went for a walk with Stephanie who asked about Grandma Crane. Did she sew? Absolutely I said, and she used to do so much more. I thought you might want to know a few tidbits about this social lady that turns 79 on July 20th. She was a Depression Baby born in Granger in 1929 when women could finally vote.

Her first job was working at a cookie factory downtown. She was happy to leave newspaper delivery and the farm behind. After graduating she almost stood my dad up on a blind date because she got stranded in town. He wasn’t happy, but after meeting her,they danced the night away. He was just out of the Navy and looking for a wife. He was 23 & she was 19 when they married on Sept 15, 1948 in the SL Temple.

In the 1953 she gave birth to me. Sandra wasn’t yet three and Jim was 6 weeks short of two. This made for a very busy life and Dad was only working part time jobs. She told the doctor, “Give me something please!” He did, and that is why I was the baby 5+ years.

Few women were truckers in 1960, but my mom was one of them. She drove a 2 ton truck to town every few weeks to deliver sour cream to the Salt Lake Creamery. I always went along so we could go shopping afterward. Try parking a big truck in SLC. She also drove to Ogden and Spanish Fork with loads of peas, tomatoes, corn and other produce. Dad would do a morning run & she would go in the afternoon to help make ends meet.

We visited her friends & relatives often. Picking bushels of peaches, pears & cherries then spending August and September canning the fruit was a must. Her ½ acre garden fed us all year & nary a weed dared grow. She grew, picked & sold 5 acres of sweet corn @$.35 a dozen. People came from all over the valley to get the best corn for that price.

A social outgoing person, Grandma Crane is comfortable talking to anyone wherever, whenever and as long as she pleases. When done they feel as if they know this little old white haired grandma. May you appreciate the talents she passed on to you, as well.

4 Stars

Is it possible to give more than four stars for a movie? I can't say enough good about this movie. Penelope is a GREAT (notice the all caps and bold use there?) movie for everyone. (Yes, even you, Dave.) This movie has a great moral, it is clean, and it's one of those that you finish watching feeling really happy. I highly recommend that you all watch it!

(Next movie review: The Dark Knight or Mama Mia - whichever Jed and I see this weekend)

childhood memories

For the last few weeks I've been thinking a lot about the importance of keeping records and journals and such. I'm not exactly sure why although I think it may have something to do with wanting to share things about my life with my children as they get older. I also think it is just fun to remember experiences from my life. Here are a few things that I've come up with that I remember from our childhoods:

• eating Cookie Crisp cereal at Grandma Schmidt's house. We never had it at home (probably too expensive), but she always had some in the cupboard just to the right of the kitchen sink. We used to love to eat it when we went to visit.
• making snapdragon lips
• pulling the legs off of grasshoppers
  
• throwing crabapples from the crabapple tree in the front yard
• making homemade popsicles
• making mud pies
• the fish that jumped out of its bowl onto the stairs when we lived at the pink house
• the time in elementary school when my teacher read us "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." I was so scared that night that I couldn't sleep and stayed up very late. Late that night I heard cloppity-clop, cloppity-clop and thought for sure the Headless Horseman was coming to get me. It was the furnace.
• going swimming at the Midvale Pool with the Crane family, floating on my back, and going to the drugstore after for ice cream or milkshakes
• playing that game at Grandma Crane's house where we would throw the ball over the garage up front near the house (what was that game called?)
• playing No Bears Are Out Tonight with the Crane cousins
• Steal The Flag on the street with all the neighborhood kids
• Grandpa Schmidt's love for zinnias, marigolds, and roses
• making apple cider with the Schmidt family and riding around in the front loader to pick the apples
• gathering rocks on the dry farm and then hauling them home to build the rock wall in the backyard
• drinking gallons of lemonade and punch on the deck while playing cards in the summers
• pulling endless weeds in the front and backyard
• fashion shows when we got new clothes
• Zero, the beloved bear
• Mauri's favorite pillow which I'm sure she still has
• chasing Breann down the hall in the yellow house and pushing her into the wall and giving her a nasty cut on her head

What do you remember?

The Bedroom Set

The bedroom set has arrived! I bought this (part in Salt Lake and part in Idaho Falls) at Down East Home. I hadn't necessarily been looking for a bedroom set; I really wanted a table and chairs. When I saw this set at the store in Idaho Falls, they only had a king sized bed. I said that if they had it in queen size, "I would buy it right now!" So, when I saw a queen in Draper, I had to follow through on my word. I bought some there and then (and some over the phone) in order to make the entire set. I think it looks pretty nice for sure!

How to Eat Healthy: Sprout What?

Why Eat Sprouts: Alfalfa sprouts are one of the most nutritious foods you can eat. They are a good source of B-complex vitamins, along with A, C, E & K. Calcium, potassium, iron & more are included in this healthy food.
Bob’s Sprout Drink: 2-3 T frozen orange juice, 1 cup water, 1 banana broken into pieces, 1 T lecithin granules, ½ tsp ascorbic acid (Vit C), 1-2 T Flax seed oil, ¼ tsp orange oil. 2 tsp Vanilla. Add 1/3-1/2 package alfalfa sprouts. Blend in blender until smooth. Add 1 cup plain yogurt blending again until smooth. Drink fresh. Serves 2.

Jenn, Just in Time

July 9th is another thirty something step for Jenn. Blessed with many talents, she is the ward activities person, teaches art classes, works part time, keeps up her scrapbook business, is on many town & parent committees and enjoys a busy family of boys. She would probably be the first to say that it is easier to work full time than to raise children. The challenges almost outnumber the fun, enjoyment and rewards, but who is counting.

Amongst it all she is willing to teach Sunday School or Relief Society when asked and much more. Occasionally she finds time to sew, go on morning walks with friends and even sleep. She brings an enthusiasm to life and has the courage to share the Gospel as well. Her short cropped hair is a perfect wash & wear to keep up with all she does. Cookie dough is her favorite snack.

Blessed to have a college degree she is able to put it to use in her everyday life teaching of friends and family alike. Patience is something a mother learns over time, as Jenn is learning with potty training, bedtime and house improvements. The precious souls she is raising depend on and love the many things she introduces them to. May she continue to hang in there because if she does, it will be just in time to enjoy a new experience.

Learning Patience

This is the latest project I have finished. It is the most rewarding so far. The fawn mule deer was the most challenging because it was so delicate. There was times when I had to get up and walk away from it because I was going to throw it through the wall. I'm learning patience which some of you know I dont have any. But I'm learning them real fast. This mount was the main piece on the fourth of July float. It got alot of positive comments at church today. They said the float was really cool and it caught alot of good comments. It's getting my name out there. The president of Hoyt Easton invited me to a dinner to meet all their engineers and professional hunters this month. He said to bring cards and hand them out to everyone. Hope I can get some of their work. I'm now working on a moose my dad shot 23 years ago. I hope to give it to him for his birthday. The kids are getting ready to start their own projects. Brayle is going to do a baby skunk and Hunter will do a baby raccoon. We will keep you posted on their projects.

Nifty Nine Now

Brayle is nine now after celebrating her birthday on the 1st. A castle cake decorated by Quanette was so amazing it was hard to attack, although Hunter was willing. A sleek purple and silver speed bike was the crowning gift along with bow & arrow water shooter, clothes and a Spiderwick Cronicles dvd.

Lucky to be tall for her age, Brayle is a fun, active, competitive, as well as a book and computer game loving child. The oldest of the grandchildren, she kindly took over the responsibility of helping to care for the youngest of the gang when everyone was here. Often packing them around and keeping them entertained, everyone appreciated her skills. We all love to have her around & hope 4th grade is great with Mr Z. May you also have a wonderful summer.

Taking after her dad, Brayle loves hunting & hopes to do more of it. She is a teaser, obedient and fun loving like her mom. She adores to love & tease Hunter. Have a nifty ninth year in 4th grade.

Is Noah a Noisy?

A dinosaur specialist and lover, Noah can name most of the common dinosaurs and then some. June 29th he took the leap to school age turning five years old. His birthday party had a prehistoric theme with a Tyranosarus Rex cake, chocolate shapes, pjs, games, trucks and outfit to match. If evolution existed Noah would have wanted to be a dinosaur, specifically a T-rex. Consequently he likes to roar, which has resulted in his new name. Siblings copy the kingpin and mimic his shouting as well, thus they have been named the ‘Noisies’. Healthy rough & tumble boys with more than enough energy is what this boy & his brothers are about.


Noah knows many of his numbers, letters, color’s and can write his name. Speech therapy improved his language skills dramatically this year. In a classroom setting, he will raise his hand asking questions unlike many Schmidt family members. This bright eyed five year old noisy, is ready to start all day kindergarten in less than sixty days. Keep being the fun loving boy you are.


Yeah!! The kid has arrived and the mom has, too. She can’t wait.

You Shouldn’t Have

It was the second busiest time of the year when the children all converged on the old homestead for a week or two, with their little ones in tow. We’d planned for months of things we would do to have a rip roaring time. As they made their way on the road less traveled heading for ‘Grammies & Gramps’ home, we made bread, goodies and beds.

As the cars pulled into the driveway hugs and shouts were made while the babies got reacquainted. Parks, water, trampoline, fountains, libraries and museums were the order of the day as we jumped through the maze of shoes, bedding and toys preparing for the next event.

Birthday parties were celebrated by Noah & Me. I just love the colorful new lawn pads you went to great lengths to get for me, when I refused to spend the money. You really shouldn’t have gone the extra mile, but I will think of it whenever I see its classy look on the deck and be glad of such thoughtful children.

Many thanks for agreeing to a family photo that we will remember for many years as we lovingly study each of your smiling (or not) faces. No one knows when life will change and we won’t have a loved one in brown, pink or tan.

Riding the bus driven by Jory was a highlight. Like being a fly on the wall, I was so proud to say, ‘he is my son’. Brave little Sarah holding a snake and letting it crawl up her arm, will stay in my mind for many years. It has been more than twenty years since someone slept on the trampoline, Brayle, Hunter, Mauri & Makayla broke the record.

I must admit my back & head ached, sleep was less than usual and it wasn’t easy, but
please come back again and hopefully you have many happy memories of coming home.