marlies

Hello my dear family

I love you all so much.  Mom, don’t stop – I love your “Small Plates”.  Although I may not respond each week, I look forward to them and to the responses from each of you.  It really does pull us all together from across the country.  Now more than ever I need that and am grateful for your updates.

Things are hot in Vegas………. I am really excited for my trip to Alaska.  I have always wanted to go since dad went with the “Cliffords”.  They looked like they had so much fun.  I will be spending my time looking for a grizzly bear I can take a picture with….  For those of you who don’t know, I am on a quest to take a picture in EVERY STATE with whatever is on the back of that state’s quarter……That means I need a grizzly bear!!!!!  After I get the picture – I SCRAPBOOK IT!

I have loved my this personal quest as it has given me so many fun memories

South Carolina - Dad and I searched for hours for a Palmetto Tree along the coast of S. Carolina.  It was so much fun; we laughed, sang, read signs at each other, played funny games, and took pictures up and down the coast.  I kept asking locals to help me find a Palmetto Tree (For those of you who don’t know they look just like any other Palm tree but aren’t). None of the locals could even agree on which palm was correct -  In the end I have pictures with like ten different types of Palm trees and scrapbooked them all.  I am sure one is a Palmetto.

Idaho – I have to find a peregrine falcon…. Yes you heard me right a PEREGRINE FALCON.  Im not sure if any of you remember, but when we drive through Yellowstone looking for animals Becky was always the one who found them.  She would point and say, look at the Moose or the Elk…….I would look out the wrong window.  So to say I have struggled with this quest would be an understatement.  Melissa and I have gone many times through Idaho looking for that dang Falcon.  After multiple attempts, I finally I took a picture in a potato field with field binoculars looking up.  My scrapbook states…… We looked High, we looked low, but all we found was a POTATOW J  Aren’t we clever.

Love you all

Marlies

kathleen fueston

Rose and Fam,

I loved your letter this week.  Having just returned from Pioneer Trek over 3 days and 23 miles of mostly sage brush, sand, 90 degree heat and wind, I have a greater appreciation for our ancestors who were willing to sacrifice everything to gather to Zion and be faithful to the Lord – I am forever grateful to them. When I am asked to do hard things I often look to them for strength and I remember my heritage and the stock we came from and I know that if they could do hard things, so can I. I am grateful to have each of you as family and think of you often and pray for your regularly.

God bless your way Dear ones!

plates of rosi 12

Small Plates of Grandma Rosi #12           July 22, 2012

Dear Family,

It has been three weeks since I wrote last.  It is hard for me to get started again.  I like to be original and keep you guys interested.  Oh well, here goes.

I just finished making 2 huge pies.  One is a fresh strawberry the other is a Neapolitan pie of vanilla and chocolate…  of course I have added my own special brew complete with  cream cheese and sour cream.  Wish you could all drop in and have a piece.  Dad and I will get big and fat if we eat it all ourselves.

It is Pioneer Day on the Tuesday, the 24^th.  Also my Mom’s 101^st birthday.  I think that in many ways she was a pioneer. I believe that we all are.

I would like to share some comments by Francis Webster who was part of the Martin Handcart Company.

“We suffered beyond anything you can imagine and many died of exposure and starvation, but did you ever hear a survivor of that company utter a word of criticism?  Every one of us came through with the absolute knowledge that God lives for we became acquainted with Him in our extremities!

I have pulled my handcart when I was so weak and weary from illness and lack of food that I could hardly put one foot ahead of the other.  I have looked ahead and seen a patch of sand or a hill slope and I have said, I can go only that far and there I must give up for I cannot pull the load through it.  I have gone to that sand and when I reached it, the cart began pushing me!  I have looked back many times to see who was pushing my cart, but my eyes saw no one.  I knew then that the Angels of God were there.  Was I sorry that I chose to come by handcart?  NO!  Neither then, nor any minute of my life since.   The price we paid to become acquainted with God was a privilege to pay and I am thankful that I was privileged to come in the Martin Handcart Company.”

This type of sacrifice and devotion seems well beyond me.  I complain for the slightest things and find myself backing away from excessive toil.  I am impatient and often get down in the dumps for foolish things.  Maybe I can yet overcome some things before it’s time for me to leave this world. 

Sorensens, Frus’s, and Ben Mathews families:  Thank you so much for such a wonderful vacation.  Dad and I had such a great time and enjoyed all of you so much.  We are recouping and enjoying a few quiet days before I head back to school for the last time.

Word for the week:

Joy:  Living in harmony with God

Recipe: 

Strawberry Pie Filing

1 ½ cups mashed strawberries

1 cup sugar

3 tablespoons cornstarch

3 tablespoons water

1 tablespoon red food coloring

(combine sugar, cornstarch, water and food coloring.  Stir until cornstarch is dissolved.)

Combine mashed strawberries and sugar mixture in sauce pan and cook on medium heat until mixture boils.   Cool.

Line premade pie shell with fresh strawberries.  When mixture is cooled, cover strawberries in pie shell and refrigerate for a few hours.

Serve with whipped cream.

Dad and I love you all so much.  We are so blessed to have you as part of our family.  Hello to all of our beautiful grandchildren.

Love

Mom

becky and adam

Hello Family,

It sounds like mom has had a nice couple of days.  i bet it was fun to go through some of the jewelry.  I have very fond memories of looking through some of that when we lived in Brigham.  We have been buying old clip-on earrings from estate sales around the area.  Elizabeth has loved playing with them, and Claire and Matthew also liked playing dress up with them while they visited.

The summer in New Mexico has been very busy.  Adam, EJ and I have been in the field almost every other week.  We camp out for two nights and spend three days looking at spring waters and doing geology of the Zuni and Sandia Mountains.  I have really learned a lot and feel very good about the knowledge I have for completing my PhD.  I still have 2-3 more years to go, but it sure is nice to have a good grasp on the science.

Adam is hard at work doing two major project (other than taking care of EJ and helping me in the field).  He is going strong with glass and has been juried into two gallery shows, one in Mesa and one in Santa Fe.  He is also participating in three mineral shows throughout the rest of the year.  He is able to sell his minerals as well as his art.

Elizabeth is growing and learning so much!  She is really chatty and trying to talk.  When she sees letters she will start to sing A E I O U and point at all of the words.  She has gotten better at shapes, but still isn't getting colors.  She loves to jump and run.  She is so great in the field.  She is patient and never fussy.  If she gets hurt (happens more frequent than I wish), it doesn't take anytime to get over it.

We love you all and hope all is well with each of you and yours

becky

Rosi plates 13

July 29, 2012

Hi Family,

Sure hope that you have had a good week.  The summer vacation days are weaning away for me.  Just two weeks left before I have to hit the road running back at MVHS.  I have much to do before that time. First and foremost, I have to select and order the music for next year. Much of it is already dictated for my big choir as we have five hefty songs to learn for our performance at Carnegie Hall in April and we are also singing portions of the Messiah with the Utah Lyric Opera Company.  (Chamber Choir will be doing the chorus for Amahl and the Night Visitors for that same evening.) 

It has been nice to have a couple of quieter weeks here with Dad. He has converted me into doing some indexing of the 1940 U.S. census.  It is fun to work side by side with him.  We have converted a small table into a computer spot for me.  That way when I have questions (which I have a lot of) he can simply turn and help me.

As you know, the Olympics are off and running.  We are watching a bit of it. The athleticism of the participants is remarkable.  

Dad and I went with Luke and his family on a camp out this weekend.  (It was like a Hilton camp out as we stayed in his converted tent camper and ATV trailer.  Boy, he has really put together a nice camping outfit complete with everything you need all tied up in one package.  The whole family (except Parker) helped put it up and take it down.  They each seem to have their own responsibility.  It is very comfortable and convenient.  

Some of the events (planned and unplanned) during out camp out: Luke had a blowout on his Tahoe; beautiful vistas (Dad was renewed); ATV rides;  hilarious bedtime show by Grandpa that made us all laugh; being pelted by a blinding rain/hail storm as some of us rode the ATV's back to camp; packing up early because of all of the rain; creating a Christmas tree in July out of mostly natural things; and more. Thanks, Luke and Amy.

We understand that Roderick is off to college this week.  Congratulations and good luck.  A new season of your life, Rick!!!  Birthdays past Jill and Matthew.  Birthdays a head?  August has so few.  My Dad, Lloyd's, is August 28th.  Bill and I will have been married for 45 years on August 25th.   Marlies and Ben's family off to a Disney Cruise to Alaska today.  Wow, now the family is even more scattered.  Rhode Island to Texas to Alaska.  Gratefully it is only temporary.  Have a wonderful time!!!

Two accomplishments this week that have made me feel good about myself:

      I bought Dad an electric hedger for his birthday.  (Now let me tell you, he was REALLY  excited about that.)  I have been whacking our overgrown bushes and it has been fun.  What would have taken me hours last summer took more like 45 minutes.  (of course, the clean up took some time.)

      I have been going through all of the old and new jewelry (MEN you will get excited about this) that is scattered around our house.  (Like in 4 places)  I am getting it organized and putting some of it together (with the help of Emma) into small bags for each of the granddaughters that will be placed in my cedar chest for a future day.  The jewelry belonged to Veta Mathews, Lorraine Mathews, Alyce Olsen and Rosi Mathews.  

HOME COOKIN’

Slow Cooker Garlic and Brown Sugar Chicken
sixsistersstuff.com

4-6 chicken breasts (or thighs would work great too!)
1 cup packed brown sugar
2/3 cup vinegar
1/4 cup lemon-lime soda
2-3 Tablespoons minced garlic
2 Tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
2 Tablespoons corn starch
2 Tablespoons water
Rice or noodles, cooked
Red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions:
Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Place chicken (I used frozen chicken, thawed chicken works great too) inside slow cooker. Mix together brown sugar, vinegar, soda, garlic, soy sauce, and pepper together. Pour over chicken. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours. Take chicken pieces out of slow cooker (mine basically fell apart) and pour remaining sauce into saucepan. Place saucepan over high heat. Mix together corn starch and water, pour into saucepan, and mix well. Let sauce come to a boil and boil for 2-3 minutes, or until it starts to thicken and turns into a glaze. Remove from heat and let sit for a minute or two (it will continue to thicken as it cools down).
Serve chicken over rice or noodles and top with glaze. Sprinkle red pepper flakes on top if desired.
Recipe adapted from Slow and Simple

Sure having fun with Tyler, Emma and Quincey for a couple of days.  They are our house guests.

 Well, Children.  Have a great week.  Thanks to Jill and Marlies for their up dates last week.  Sure love you all.

Mom

tim and jill

Hello all...
The Mathews' Family in Rhode Island will soon be moving...where?  We don't know...moving on a new adventure is all we know at this point.  Tim sadly did not get the job promotion, however new and better things are on the way.  We just know that!  I must admit it's kind of scary not knowing where we will be in two months.  I am just thankful today that we all have our health and that we have our necessities.  So, lots of fun and exciting changes here for us.  I was so happy Tim got to spend time with you all.  I wished the kids and I could have come too.  We miss you all so much!  I really HOPE Tim gets a job closer to the west.  I am NOT a big fan of living this far from family at all.  The experience out here has taught us so much.  We are so ready to though to move on.  I will keep you all posted where we end up!  Right now it looks like Omaha is the biggest possiblity.  
 
Over the weekend my sweet nephew passed away (my brother's only boy). He was 19 and would have been 20 in August. My nephew was like a brother to me so this is very hard. My family all came together and bought me and the kids plane tickets to be there for the service. I have never been more grateful! We will be spending 10 days in northern Idaho. Today I realize, life is so precious. Each day we wake up is truely a miracle.  Cherish each moment you get with your children and just be in the moment.  
 
Take care and sending our love to you all....
 
 
Tim, Jill, Ellie, Liam

bill and rosi

Hello,

The first day of July, 2012... wow!  The month to celebrate our nation.   There are 8 range and forest fires raging in our state.  Hope the fireworks don't create yet more problems.

Family news:

I hope that you have all had a good week.  It has been nice to visit with several of you.  Nick and family have been here, Marlies arrived tonight, Luke's family is in California (we saw them before they left last week.  They stopped into the Institute and I was able to introduce the family to the teachers and students there.  I was very proud to do so.) So sorry Jill, for the loss of your nephew.  Becky has been braiding hair (her own and EJ's;  cute, cute) and Benny sounded awesome tonight on the telephone.  Dad is 6th in the ward in "Indexing", a genealogical project (and he is this moment at the computer typing in names.)  Grandma Rosi is up to her eyeballs in opera ...  staging scenes from Dido and Aeneas and The Marriage of Figaro.  One more huge week and our 6th Institute season is over.  We will be moving to a new location next year and I have been doing some research on that project.  Both Utah State University and the University of Utah are VERY interested in having our Institute relocate to their facilities.  It has felt good to find a couple of hot spots that might work out for us.

Not a lot to say tonight.  I will share with you one of the musings that I have written this summer.  I think about little stories that come to me as I walk.  The prose is not polished, but I figure if I get started and keep trying my writing will improve:

My Dad

My Silver-haired Daddy has always been

            My safety net and my true king pin

As a girl he taught me the values I cherish

Honesty, virtue and an eternal marriage

A quiet love and deep hurt at the passing of my Mom

We have shared in common from that day on.

The pain was unspoken but we both knew

That life without Alyce would be lonely and blue.

Dad accepted and embraced my husband, Bill

And was often there to listen when my voice I would trill

The tunes from operas and recital fare

And other unpleasantness he would have to bear

The six grandchildren we brought to his family tree

Were sacred special spirits he valued without fee

He purchased a pony for them to ride

And pulled them on sleighs often skinning their hide.

But when at hard moments my mind would roam,

To thoughts of Paradise, my true ancestral home.

The vision of my Daddy would feed and comfort me

As I struggled with life’s problems I felt cradled on his knee.

We love you all..   nothing has changed there.  We care about each and every one of you.  

Wisdom from Mom:  Be good and keep a stiff upper lip.

Grandma Rosi

rosi

Hello again,

I would like to add some additional comments to my letter regarding the Institute.

I want you all to know how important and wonderful my Sis, Dixie, continues to be in our Institute program (and in my life).

I had thought that she wouldn't be returning as the hospitality chair this year, but no, she is there working every day, providing awesome dinners.  The thing that is touching to me is that I believe the primary reason she does this is to support me and make me look better.  I also appreciate that it was really her that made our contact with the University of Utah people who are coming this week to talk with us about providing space for the Institute next year.  She privately passed the message to me so that it looked like it was my networking that had provided the contact.  I know she did this because she loves me.  I have been so fortunate to have her love and support since I was a little girl.  I am grateful to see some similar deeds among you, our children.  Offers of help and kindness, support and love for siblings and their children.  I want us to all be an eternal family and I know if kindness and unselfishness rules, our goal will be accomplished.

Have a wonderful week.  I am off to opera this morning and my stomach is churning.  It will be nice to have the stress level reduced and my mind to function without it for a few weeks after this Saturday.

Have a wonderful day!!

Mom

Grandma Rosi is up to her eyeballs in opera ...  staging scenes from Dido and Aeneas and The Marriage of Figaro.  One more huge week and our 6th Institute season is over.  We will be moving to a new location next year and I have been doing some research on that project.  Both Utah State University and the University of Utah are VERY interested in having our Institute relocate to their facilities.  It has felt good to find a couple of hot spots that might work out for us.