August birthdays

Can't let August end without a big shout out to our 2 August-birthday-grandaughters, Audrey and Avonlea!

Audrey sported an "Elena of Avalor" dress for her "Watermelon Party" (even though she is eating an apple in this picture).  We missed it but got to talk to her before and after.  She was pretty excited.

Avonlea sported an "Elsa" dress, made by her Mama, and had an all things Frozen party.  She continued the tradition of birthday parties, having it here at the house.  It was a lot of fun.

1st week

Well, I came home from school on Friday having had the best Back To School Week ever!  It was just very rewarding - seeing how great the kids are doing.  We already had some challenges, but seeing the kids take them on with such maturity and growth put me in the best mood.  It's going to be a great year!

peaches

This summer I discovered peaches, because of Isla.  One day she sent a short video showing us the "luscious" peach she was eating.  It did look luscious!  And so, because Costco was selling them by the boxful I bought peaches all summer long.  And they were luscious too!  We ate them and baked them into dishes (my favorite was a coffee cake where we added peaches and substituted peach yogurt for the sour cream).  Then I discovered a whole section of peaches in the Vivian Howard cookbook.  I made a peach/blueberry salsa.  Reggie was especially surprised at how much he liked it - it called for herbs and a chili hot sauce which gave it quite a kick.  I made it again for a big group of people at Hillary's, but went overboard on the hot sauce.  They all liked it but commented with "wow! and "what is this?" referring to the combination of tastes and heat.

So, here's to peaches, my new good friend!

seeing each other again and again!

These grand-nephews and niece of mine are priceless.  At times I have worried about how often we were going to be able to see them (another "remember me" moment in my life), but it has worked out to be several times a year lately.  Often enough for ties to bind.  I am grateful for those who make this possible.

They used to be the little ones in the family but now they are "the big kids".  My grandchildren adore them and at a recent family wedding we could see them helping out and interacting with all their little cousins.

This summer my Mom was determined to make them each a family history book so that they would know her and my dad's side of the family.  She was able to personally give them to them and they were pretty excited.  I had a conversation with Rocio, who loves my Mom and Dad, and she and husband are all on board to make sure they know that part of their heritage.

These kids have their Mom's family, their Dad's family and their step-Dad's family which means dozens and dozens of cousins, aunties, uncles, grandparents, etc. who love them.  The more the better I say.  They are so loved.

(So sorry, have to put this song on again!)

funny memory, no pictures

Last Saturday Reggie and I took a trip to see our niece, Becky, get married.  there was an early morning ceremony at the Provo temple, a family luncheon, and then several hours to kill before the reception.  Reggie and I were out-voted on what to do - our Dobbins, Pineda and Terry/Paredes family chose swimming at a rec. center.  So Reggie and I went along, determined to only put our feet in.  After 5 minutes of being there, however, Julia asked if I would stay with Bear while she took Addy down the water slide.  I told her I'd like to take Addy down the water slide.  What?  So I did.  Addy went before me and I told her to wait at the bottom for me, so that she wouldn't get lost, etc.  But by the time I came down she was waiting for me but saying "grandma, are you okay?"  She was ready to take care of me.  But I did it and I was happy and soaked, and swam for about another hour with all of them.  Reggie joined in as well and has as good a time as anybody.  We loved it!

I guess I need seasons too

It has never really bothered me that our area does not have typical seasons.  Our weather is even tempered, although we know that July is the coldest month and October/November are the warmest months.  I see subtle changes in the trees and foliage around me each season.
But for me - a person who hates change - I am finding that the spirit of each season is unique and special.  I am not as sad or nervous to see school starting up again as I used to be. It makes me feel like fall is here.

  And that leads me to listening to my fall playlist, having a Harry Potter and other spooky book and movie marathons, baking pumpkin bread and gingersnaps, treating myself to a few back to school clothes, working on projects as Christmas gets closer., etc. This year it also means our last freshman-college-drop off trip, and a new grand baby.  So life is good.  As the book title above says (which is displayed on our piano)

 GOODBYE SUMMER, HELLO AUTUMN.

tap shoes

Whenever we go to Utah we make at least one stop to the second-hand store Deseret Industries.  There are often treasures to be found - for me in the form of church books, and for Hannah and Audrey, this time, in the form of tap shoes.

When Reggie and I were there last November Audrey found a pair of tap shoes and desperately wanted them.  But we all leaned towards practicality and said no.  This time, when planning out our trip, Reggie said "I really wish we had gotten Audrey those tap shoes.  When we go to DI this time if they have any I'm getting them".  Well, not only did they have some in Audrey's size but also another pair in Hannah's size!  It was definitely worth the wait as they were both able to walk out of the store with matching shoes and matching smiles.  Reggie also got a kick out of telling Andrew about the new fun noise that would be gracing their home.  Then Reggie realized that the hard-floored kitchen was right above the room where we would be sleeping. Ha! Ha!  No regrets - they are just too cute with their Shirley Temple curls and tap shoes.

tomato sandwiches

This summer I discovered my new favorite cooking show: "A Chef's Life".  It is about a couple who own, operate, and cook in their own restaurant called "The Chef and the Farmer".  What I like about it so much is that each episode features a specific ingredient that they will use in their restaurant, and they take the viewer to the farms where the ingredients are grown.  So what they make at the restaurant is very seasonal.  Being such a city girl, I love seeing peach trees and blueberry bushes, and things growing out of the ground, etc.  I love learning about the different varieties.  I love getting ideas of how to cook these ingredients.

Well, I got Hillary interested when I visited her.  And Mariah and I are especially hooked and wanting to try to make some of the dishes from the episodes.  One episode was all about corn.  They had a corn shucking, grilling and preparing family event.  Then the Chef used it in a lot of dishes in the restaurant.  But what fascinated us the most is that she made grilled-corn mayonnaise.

Then, in the tomato episode, we learned all about different varieties, including heirloom tomatoes.  She talked about how, in the south (this all takes place in North Carolina) a simple tomato sandwich is a popular thing.  But a not so simple tomato sandwich is something special, and it became a hit at the restaurant.  They made bread all garlicky and seasoned up and toasted; they spread homemade roasted-corn mayonnaise inside and topped it all with salt and peppered heirloom tomatoes.  It looked amazing so we decided to try to re-inact it.  Ross made the roasted corn mayonnaise, I made the bread and Mariah prepared the tomatoes.  It was yummy, although we forgot one key step:  we forgot to toast the bread.  So hurray hurray we get to try it again!

Variety is the spice of life and I am enjoying taking this new adventure with my loved ones.

the summer of a lifetime

It's 6:30 am and I have been blogging since I dropped Luke off at work at 5 am.  I could have gone to sleep but I am just full of thoughts that need to be let out onto the blog.

We are down to counting days until Luke leaves and I feel like I just can't do this.  I firmly believe, for us anyway, that "when they turn 18 they's got to go!"   So even though I've urged him on to go have some independence, to enjoy an adventure living on his own, and that Idaho is so different from living here that it is bound to be an adventure with new people, new opportunities, etc. - And when people have teased us about him heading to the snow, I've responded with "My boy can handle anything!"; BUT, in spite of all of that, I am going to miss him so much, and I am so hoping that he is happy in this next faze of life.

As far as this summer goes, it has been a great one for Luke.  He has continued working at the bakery, but has also done a lot of fun things.  His last/final youth activity was a white-water rafting trip.  He had an all day and into the night trip to Santa Cruz with friends.  He and his buddy Andrew had an epic, several day camping trip to Yosemite and then spur of the moment trip heading to Lake Tahoe.  Now I hear they are off on another one to meet up with some friends in Oregon.  After that he and some friends and a wonderful mentor from church are going shooting.  Then he will have about a week until he leaves - first to visit Julia for 6 days, then take a shuttle to visit Hillary for 6 days, then heading up to school.

It's been quite a ride.

one last time!

It's 5 in the morning and I just dropped Luke off to work at the bakery.  I could go back to bed but my mind is racing with all kinds of thoughts to blog about.

Yesterday Samantha and I spent 8 hours doing math!
She is getting close to graduation but has the second of two "foundations" math classes to take online.  (Foundations meaning it is a class required by all students getting a degree from the school.  She passed the first one at the beginning of her college studies and now we are tackling the second one). Though we both agree that math is not the funnest thing in life,  I am so grateful to have the time to do it with her - another good reason for me having the summer off.  And I am just SO proud of Samantha.  She does not give up.  She does not "lose it" during stressful moments (like I do, pictured to the left).  She is such a light in my life!
So onward and upward!  I believe this is the last math class she will ever have to take in her life and boy are we going to celebrate when it is done!

5 in the morning

It's 5 in the morning and I just dropped Luke off at the bakery.  He doesn't usually work on Sundays but they needed him this morning to "do the bread".  I'm not sure if that means take the orders from the different places that get bread from them or if it means actually baking the bread.  But he has been "trained" on it and they needed him, and I am pretty proud of him.

I could go back to bed but my mind is so awake with so many thoughts racing through, so I might as well blog.  Blogging always helps me work things out.

Yesterday I got my letter in the mail explaining the schedule for the opening day of the school district.  It's the day before the kids start and there is always some kind of training.  It has me facing the fact that summer is about over.  This makes me a little sad and nervous.  But then when I put things and the right perspective, and write it down (like I am now) I end up feeling good about it.  Some things that are making me happy and brave:

1.  My niece Mirian put such a simple little thing on facebook about starting a new fall project.  I don't know why but that just perked me up; made me feel like a new season and new endeavors is something exciting.

2.  I've gone to the library a lot lately (so happy Avonlea is here to give me a reason to get children's books - especially seasonal ones!). I keep running into books with one of our kids from school's name on it.  She has a cute, popular name I guess, and she is such a sweet girl herself.  I realize that I am really looking forward to seeing her again everyday at school.  I realize that I miss those kids.  They might even be more of a treasure to me this year now that my Luke will be away at college.  Though last night, as he and I were watching music videos on youtube - especially ones by a certain artist that this girl from school really loves, I am a little worried about how to stay up on teenage things without him.  But anyway, the point is, these things are making me look forward to school starting.

3.  Candles - ha ha!  Autumn candles just make me smile!  And this year I love the memory of Reggie knowing this about me, and saying "let's go to your store and get some candles".  It was an impromptu outing for just the two of us when the house happened to be bursting with loved ones.  We both love that the house was bursting with loved ones, but it was nice to take a half an hour, just the two of us.

So, I'm not ready to say hello to autumn yet.  Reggie and I have a couple of little trips ahead of us that I am really looking forward to.  After that I will welcome autumn with open arms, with all of the thoughts above urging me on!

what's in a name?

I don't know why putting a funny or special name to something makes it more fun or exciting or at least endurable, but it just does - in my opinion.  For example:

 - mini muir woods - a county park near us that has beautiful walking trails and big beautiful trees.  It is nothing compared to the real Muir Woods, but it is a nice consolation when you have just a short amount of time for a walk in the trees.

 - dirtiest ear contest - when the kids were little and needed their ears cleaned out we made it a contest, which made everybody laugh.

 - Sandlot Smores - our new summer tradition which I will be blogging about later.

 - nobody's favorite meal - a casserole that my family doesn't love, but doesn't hate, and is sometimes the most convenient thing to make.  So I gave it that name in the spirit of being honest and to make us laugh.

I know we have a lot more.  And now, as it is Christmas in August, I am working on homemade Christmas presents.  I don't know if everyone will be very excited about them, but too bad - they're getting them anyway!  And I have decided to give each one an "Avenger's" name, because I have been making them while watching all the Avengers movies "with" Luke (he puts the movie on and then periodically walks in and out of the room).  The first present I made is for Luke, and green, so I'm calling it "The Hulk".  The second one I finished is a pretty black, brown and burgundy and I'm calling it "Black Widow".  Not sure who's getting that one.  So I am enjoying making these presents and hopefully the family will enjoy receiving them - especially with a funny name attached.

to know you is to love you

I have been pleasantly surprised to hear my grandchildren refer to Grandpa Chandler as if they know him.  They know his name, who he was, who Grandma Chandler is, and facts about them both.  I assume that, regarding Julia's kids, it is because they lived with us and have had exposure to my Mom, pictures, and our memories, which Avonlea is getting now.

Same thing could be true of Hillary's kids from visits, etc.  But I realized on my trip that it is also true of Hillary's kids because she is so into genealogy. We did one afternoon in Salt Lake City and Hillary wanted to show me the family history library.  I have always gone to the Church History Museum, which is across the way, but never the family history library.



 We went in and her girls went right up to the counter and asked for an iPad.  They knew how to sign in and then took the IPads to different sections in the museum.  They pushed their IPads into certain areas on the wall and all of a sudden a world of family history opened up on the big screens.  They had at least a dozen ancestors to choose from - from mine and Reggie's family, which shows how much work Hillary has done to access and organize that for them.  They kept choosing Grandpa Chandler.  His timeline was on there and it showed what was happening in the world when he was born, when he was 5, 10, 50, etc. etc.  It had dozens of pictures up about his life.  I've seen most of these in our family albums, but to see them on the big screen was just amazing.  There was a lot of other interactive things for them to do.

Can you believe that Penicillin was not discovered until he was 9 years old? 

The above and below pictures are not of our family but of random, real people displayed throughout the library.  It does
make it all so close to home.

To quote the movie "Coco" (again), "These aren't just old pictures, they're our family and they're counting on us to remember them".

It was wonderful!

The graduation!

We are so proud of Hillary for doing what she was determined to do: get her bachelor's degree.  We are so grateful for the supportive husband she has - for the supportive people they are to each other.  Hillary put it this way:

It's been an interesting year on my nonlinear educational path. But I feel so blessed and loved, motivated and empowered to be the best mom I can to these kids and contribute some good to the world. Andrew is my best friend, my support, the love of my life and together we made both of our college degrees happen. I wish they could've all walked across the stage with me. Because really, the 

five of us earned this bachelors degree!

Island Park

One of my Mom's favorite things about her childhood was going to her family's cabin in Island Park, Idaho, for weeks at a time.  I remember her talking about it a lot. I think she wished our family would go and have a vacation like that - days spent on the lake - wading, canoeing, hiking, standing on the bridge feeding the giant, leaping trout. etc.  But as far as I can remember we never did.

So, as I was planning my trip to Idaho for Hillary's graduation I decided I needed to go to Island Park.  I wanted so much to get there and call my Mom and say "guess where I am!".  I wanted her to know that I was listening all those times she talked about it.  I wanted her to know that I care about her memories/her history.  So that's what I did, and thats how it went - but even better than I had imagined.

By this time the Dobbins, Samantha and I were staying with Rocio and family.  Hillary's graduation wasn't until 8 pm so we took a day trip to Island Park and got back just in time.  Rocio and her youngest 2 rode with Samantha and I (J.T had to work and the oldest 3 were on a trip with their Dad).  Rocio and family had just been to Island Park and so she directed us to their favorite part, about an hour from Idaho Falls.  When we got there I called my Mom and she was as surprised and pleased as I had expected.  We started comparing where we were with her memories and, I kid you not, we were in the same exact spot where she used to vacation as a child.  We were in the "Big Springs" part of the park, on the bridge feeding the jumping trout.  We didn't do any water activities but we took a beautiful walk around the area.

I am SO happy to have done that.  I am SO happy that things worked out for Rocio and little ones to come with us.  It was a beautiful day at a beautiful place.