Staycation 5-I'm Still Surviving!

As day five starts, we find a water sculpture at Thanksgiving point.  It is cool and refreshing and the kids get  a bit soggy but it is summer after all!

Prehistoric Adventure awaits us.

It is most interesting to learn about dinosaurs. 

A little adventure in a cave.  Thank goodness it isn't the Nutty Putty Cave...dangerous!

I think you have heard about "Hug a Tree?"  Well this is hug a dino!

It is alway fun to make your own dino and see if you can survive the beast!

Building dams, making volcanos and finding dinos is a great time.

A friendly dino gives us a much needed rest to prepare us for what is yet to come.

Brecklyn, however, is fearless and poses for the picture.

We are digging for bones and we are so successful.  Perhaps we have discovered a new dino that has never been found before.  What do you think about that?

Logan is a natural on the ponies.  So comfortable and happy.  He was a born rider.  He even got off all by himself. 

Tyson hauls Breckie off to jail for getting into mischief.  But Breckie stays longer than required.  Think she may have made some new friends in jail.

Logan sneaks out of the bar without paying his tab.  I think that the sheriff will soon arrest him and put him in jail with Breckie.  Hmmm...what kind of grandkids do I have here, anyway???

Well, it's on to the last day.  I think that they have enjoyed themselves, I know that I have!

Staycation 4- Pioneers All The Way!

Brecklyn and the boys like to ride the ponies and its the first place we stop at Pioneer Village.

A little wave as we pass and the little cowboy smiles for the camera.  The weather is perfect at this time, early in the morning.

Dancin' cowgirl at it again!

A wagon ride around town to see the sights.

Then we dip candles because electricity is getting very expensive these days!

The cowpokes deserve a little break now and then.  It's dusty and hot in the desert sun!

Pioneer food proves to be mighty fine!

Pioneers didn't have cars, but seems they spent a bit of time running around in circles!?!

And then the California Gold Rush causes people to head to the West.  Seems there was slim pickin's today, but we do manage to get to the bank to cash in our nuggets for some taffy.

The price of gold is low today.  Was it worth all the hard work?  No, we want MORE CANDY!

After all the work, it's time for that studly young man to get a shave and a haircut.  Ty isn't so sure about the instruments of the day.  But he does need a haircut, truly!  (Are you reading this Jay???)  JK.  Anyways, we all have a shave and Logan isn't so convinced that this is a good thing to do, either....

Notice the happy face?

Brecklyn loved her shave...hmmm.

So on the way home, the cowboys get some shut-eye and we call it a day.  They are all exhausted after the adventures of day 4.

Yes, ridin' the range is hard work.  We loved every minute!

Staycation 3 - Having Fun on The Heber Valley Railroad

Here we are at the Heber Valley Railroad.  It is a fun place to be. 

Inside we find a train. "Is it Thomas?" asks Logan.  "No, it doesn't have a face."  He is a happy train passenger today.  He waves and gives the peace sign to the skiers on Deer Creek and they wave back.

We have a little late breakfast on the train.  And lunch an hour later.  Ice Cream, nachos and corn dogs fill the bill. 

Our peaceful ride is interupted by bandits holding up the train.  Grandma's money is quickly gone and later in the gift shop, Logan sees bandanas.  Yes, he wants one so that he too, can be a train robber...Tyson says they have lots of bandanas at home.  Get a different and better souvenir!

On the ride home, we get tired and droopy eyed, but we all manage to stay awake.  The train goes from side to side and people walk like they had had a little too much whiskey with their nachos.  Yet we enjoy it and have a picnic at Vivian Park in Provo.  There its more fun to play on the monkey bars and slide, than eat.  Grandpa comes and meets us there, just in case someone doesn't want to ride back.  They all do.  But it was nice of him to come.  So another day has come to an end and brings us to the next adventure at the This is the Place Heritage Park Pioneer village.  We shall see what the day holds in store tomorrow.  If grandma and grandpa survive.  We are getting old, ya know!

Staycation 2- Utah is a Pretty State, Even Close to Home Pt 2

Kids loved chasing this little guy everywhere.  But he was just to fast.
He's just too quick. 

Great-grandma sees one too.

Cute babies to feed. Brecklyn does not want to sacrifice her "funyuns". That was the only duck type thing we had.

Tyson sits over the potgut hole hoping to catch him as he pops up. Doesn't happen...Time in the dirt.  Brecklyn does not enjoy this
part...too hot, too messy.  So "boyish".

It was hot, so back home we cool off.

Brecklyn gets splashed by the boys doing "boyish" stuff again....

Sun-tan time under the basketball hoop.

Then a little picnic table ping-pong, a new invention, I am sure!

Now for some much-needed "girl-time" and we can call it a good day!

Staycation 2- Utah is a Pretty State, Even Close to Home

We are always Hungry.  Mutual Dell supplied the place and grandma provided the grub.  I don't think anyone was hungry after the picnic.

A little ride to Tibble Fork.  Too bad grandpa didn't supply us with the rods and reels...

The baby liked it too.  Slept through the whole thing.  Got a little bug bite or something.  He be fine.  Notice we are on the 4 generation trip today.  Great-grandma, momma and the kids. And of course, grandma.

Great-grandma at Tibble Fork.

When I Get Impatient...Something To Think About

As you might remember, the head of a company survived
9/11, because his son just started kindergarten.
Another fellow was alive because it was His turn to bring donuts.
One woman was late because her Alarm clock didn't go off in time.
One was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike Because of an auto accident.
One of them Missed his bus.
One spilled food on her clothes and had to take
Time to change.
One's Car wouldn't start.
One couldn't Get a taxi.
The one that struck me was the man
Who put on a new pair of shoes that morning,
Took the various means to get to work
But before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot.
He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid.
That is why he is alive today..
Now when I am Stuck in traffic ,
Miss an elevator, Turn back to answer a ringing telephone ....
All the little things that annoy me.
I think to myself, This is exactly where
God wants me to be At this very moment..
Next time your morning seems to be
Going wrong...You can't seem to find the car keys,
You hit every traffic light,
Don't get mad or frustrated;
It May be just that God is at work watching over you.
May God continue to bless you
With all those annoying little things
And may you remember their possible purpose.

More Polish Grallas From Luboschütz and Oppeln

In the Catholic parish in the city of Opole, Poland, a Gralla family first appeared about the year 1791 residents of the village of Luboschütz. This Gralla was Nicolaus Gralla, a soldier, age 30, who married Marianna Hannalonka of Opole, age 27 on the 3rd of Feb. Another early Gralla to this area was Valentin Gralla, who moved into Luboschütz from elsewhere and was also married on the 3rd of Feb. 1791 to Agnes Libor of Kempa. He was 28 and she was 26. As these are the only two Grallas in this parish, it is probable that they were brothers moving in from another town. Records are sketchy for this time period and few Gralla entries were noted. Later we find more Grallas in Opole.

Adalbert Gralla married Marianna Waletzko on 27 June 1824. He was then age 30 and she was 23. Four children were born to this couple, Joseph, on 14 Nov. 1834, who married Maria Klaus, Johann, 12 May 1827, who was married three times; to Agnes Malek, Josepha Hilla, and Agnes Kochanek, and a stillborn son on 24 Jun 1833, and a daughter Rosalia born in 1818, who died on 30 Aug. 1825.

Joseph Gralla and Maria Klaus, daughter of Mathias Klaus of Halbendorf married 14 Feb. 1865. Joseph was a brick mason at the time. Only one son, Joseph, born 26 Nov. 1865 was found in this parish.

Johann Gralla had several children born in Opole. From his first wife, Agnes Malek, whom he married on 8 Feb. 1846 when he was 19, and she was 18, were born five children. Anton was born on the 11th of Jan. 1848, and died on the 30th of the same month. Christina was born on the 2nd of May 1849 and died 28 Dec. 1851. Daughter Marianna was born on 14 Aug. 1851. She, too, must have died early, although no record was found, as the next daughter was also a Marianna born on 14 Aug. 1853 and died shortly after on the 9th of Oct. The last child of this union was Julianna, born 23 May 1855-died 24 May 1855. On this date, the mother of these children, Agnes, also passed away.

From Johann Gralla's 2nd wife, Josepha Hilla, he had two children; Francisca, 27 Sep 1856, and Maria, 8 Mar. 1858 and on the 31st of Mar., his 2nd wife passed away at age 22 with complications from childbirth.

Johann then married Agnes Kochanek, daughter of Joseph Kochanek on 22 Jun 1858, when he was 31, and she was 19.

Their children included: Julianna, born 20 May 1859, who died on 9 Jul. 1859, Peter, born 5 Oct. 1860 and Catharina, born 17 Nov. 1862, Thomas, born 18 Dec. 1864, who died on 1 Feb. 1865, Juliana, born 18 May 1865, Johannes, 13 May 1866, and Julianna, 18 May 1868.

The Grallas from the town of Luboschütz and the parish of Opole, are small in number. There are some indications that they originate from a larger group of Grallas from the town of Lugnian. Gralla immigrants to the United States include Grallas from Lugnian and Opole.

Zucchini Everywhere!

Well, I decided to try a recipe that I got from the Home Food Storage Lady in Highland, Chirine Wadsworth. Her link is the bottom one of my sidebar blog list.  Alpine Food Storage.  The recipe was for Zucchini Relish. Sounded good and my friend, Sylvie, at work, says she uses the same recipe. So, I got out my old Kitchen-Aid grinder attachment and started grinding the veggies. In the upper right starts some of the mess I created. But it only got worse from there, couldn't take a picture of that. My dear husband always says, "Clean as you go". Well, who wants to keep cleaning and cleaning, just do it once and forget it, is my motto. And then when I was done, I put it in the bowl and refrigerated overnight. It looks good. But then I had to go out and buy a new steam canner, since I quit canning over 20 years ago, had to do with starting to work full-time, I guess. I gave my mom all my equipment and jars and so I am starting from scratch. Below is the recipe, just in case your zucchinis are also growing out of your ears.

Amazing Zucchini Relish
8-9 pints of Relish

Soak
10 C. zucchini
3 C. onions
4 red bell peppers
5 T. salt

Mix
3 c. sugar
1 T. cornstarch
1 t. turmeric
1 t. nutmeg (Sylvie's addition to the recipe)
3 C. vinegar
1 t. dry mustard
1 t. black pepper
1 t. celery seed

Grate zucchini in food processor, along with onion and bell peppers. Mix salt in with vegetables in large plastic bowl and let stand overnight. Next day, rinse thoroughly in a large strainer and drain well.
Place shredded vegetables in large heavy pan and add remaining ingredients. Mix well and boil for 30 minutes. Pack in jars, seal and process 10 minutes. 

So back to the farmer girl version of me...Actually, if I had more time, I think I would do a lot of this.  Probably more canning, than eating.  At least that was how it used to be.  Then I would wonder if the stuff in the jars had rotted and I would get salmonella or some other strange manifestation if I ate it. 

Fly Tying

Since Tyson was 3, he has been a fisherman at heart. He started tying flies and fishing at age 3 and at 9, now he poses by his prized flies, all of which he has created. He loves it and loves doing this with his grandpa. They love doing just about anything together. They just want to be together and then it is fun no matter what they do.

Pony Ride

Day 1 Staycation

Here is a little snack break at Wheeler Farm. The kids seemed to enjoy it, especially the souvenir shop. Isn't that about normal?

Those Precious Childhood Memories!

Yes, we all have them, those first things we remember.  My first memory was of moving to our home in Elmore, Minnesota as I was about 4 or 5 years old.  I was outside in the front yard riding my little tricycle--a now non-existent riding toy.  Anyway, my English was quite limited as we hadn't lived in America all that long.  I spotted a girl across the street.  She had dark hair and kept saying things to me, none of which I could understand.  What did she want from me???  As things progressed, she and I somehow got together with our two very different languages and became playmates as we were both the same age.  Through playing together, I managed to pick up English and by the time Kindergarten started, it wasn't even a problem.  I had that language down. 

Well, yesterday as Brecklyn drove with me to my hair appointment, we talked about our soon-to-be little "stayvacation" activities for the upcoming week.  Brecklyn said that Logan was sooo excited to be going on the Heber Creeper Train because he wasn't able to when we went two summers ago when Brecklyn was three.  I asked her what she remembered and if she had liked doing that.  Oh yes, she said, I remember it very well.  I asked what she remembered about it.  Well, she said, we got off the train (at Vivienne Park in Provo Canyon) and I stepped in dog-poo in my flip flops and you had to clean me up.  Boy what a remembrance, not what I expected at all!  Anyway, after she reminded me, I remembered that incident too.  So, let's not forget to take the baby wipes and hand sanitizer this time!

Living in the Desert!

At work today we were talking over the " fence " , actually through the cubicles and Sylvie 's daughter was going to Arizona to visit Sylvie 's son's family. He is going to dental school there. The other day, her little grandson said to his mother, "big bug ". And his mom went to investigate and it was a cockroach, a typical sight in the desert ... I know, I lived in the Palm Springs, Ca. area. So I mentioned to her what my parents did at night. My parents noticed the roaches came up through the drains. At night, when the roaches roam, they would always keep all drains closed and the shower drain covered with cardboard or something that could be weighted down so that they could not come up through there, either. Anyway, a memory from my youth teenage years of living in the desert.  Funny what comes to mind that you haven't thought about in years...

A Stork For Luck

This is so funny when I think about it. When we, Jamie, Ty and I were in Germany last August, we had been there quite a while and we said to each other while driving, "you know, for some strange reason we haven't seen one stork's nest on this trip." And I kid you not, we drove one single block further and look and see what we saw on top of the chimney? And after we returned home, guess what? That stork did his thing. 10- months later little Grayson came to be!

My 3 "Grand" Sons

Ok, so you oldies, like me, might remember an old show called "My Three Sons"? Or maybe not.  But I do.  I never had 3 sons, only 1, but now I have 3 very "grand" sons.  The youngest is here in the picture.  He is sweet and sleeps everytime grandma comes for a visit.  I have heard him cry, but really not much.  Mainly sleep is the order of the day and boy am I jealous of that!  To have time to get good sleep is definitely a treasure that I don't seem to get much of.  Grayson is 8 days old in the picture, doing what he does best.  In about a week, I am taking some vacation time to take my other three grandkids on a "staycation".  I hope that they will enjoy spending time with grandma seeing some fun or interesting Utah places.  With 3 kids, I can't go too far by myself so it will not be overniters, this time.  Jamie has the baby and my mom has been undergoing some knee therapy, so my travel partners are not too available for all I would like to do.  But maybe some of this.  We will see what happens as the week comes.

A Little Bit About Klein Tschanz (Breslau)

When my mom was a child, she resided at the "Kinderheim" on the street address of Kinderheim 46.  While in Breslau in 2007, I was able to go here and a researcher, Adam, below, was kind enough to give me lots of materials, pictures and so forth.  It was really a wonderful experience.  I just wish that I could post everything!

From Adam Czmuchowski (translated from Polish)


The mother monastery in Koln-Nippes of the counts of Stollberg with 1 priest Bruhlen at Lehm Gruber St. 1889 organized a house for children without parents. They built a small church and patronate over it and called it Maria Hilf.

Georg Kopp was the bishop. The manager till 1920 was Eleonore zu Stollberg, countess. When the Dominican nuns took over which were then later removed in 1942. After 1920 the old woman was buried in Klein Tschanz. Till 1928 the little villages were separated but then later all became a part of Breslau.

Eleonora lived on Rybniker Str. After 1860 she donated  land to the Catholic cemetery at Oppelner Str. She gave money for the Church which was built in 1909 and having their 100 year celebration next year. The Church is on Schwentniger Str. (My name was on the plaque as being a contributor, I was really surprised)
Carl was the building advisor and the Priest from 1909-46 was Father Conrad Metzger. In the year 1905  the house was founded with a school on the street of Kinderheim 46 where later was a new house for children by the nuns of the Maria Hilf order .
There were nuns of the Vincenz Order and also the Barmherzigen Sisters at this place.

How Many Relatives Do You Have?

1 YOU
2 parents
4 grandparents
8 g grandparents
16 gg grandparents
32 ggg grandparents
64 gggg grandparents
128 ggggg grandparents
256 gggggg grandparents
512 ggggggg grandparents
1,024 gggggggg grandparents
2,048 ggggggggg grandparents
4,096 gggggggggg grandparents
8,192 ggggggggggg grandparents
16,184 gggggggggggg grandparents
32,768 ggggggggggggg grandparents
65,536 gggggggggggggg grandparents
131,072 ggggggggggggggg grandparents
262,144 gggggggggggggggg grandparents
524,288 ggggggggggggggggg grandparents
1,048,576 gggggggggggggggggg grandparents
2,097,152 ggggggggggggggggggg grandparents

Is it any wonder we spend so much time on genealogy?

Dancing Scooter Gal

As Brecklyn rode her scooter from my house to hers today, I noticed a little of her mother in her.  The leg that pushed the scooter went into a graceful arabesque.  Oh my,  I thought as I remembered...Jamie at the stores in the mall with me doing an arabesque for all to see.  No matter where we went, there was always the perverbial arabesque.  Never anywhere without it...That's how it is when you are a dancer's mother.

A Recipe for Guacamole

GUACAMOLE OLE’


1 ripe avocado in halves
½ c. finely chopped tomatoes
2 T. chopped cilantro
2 cloves minced garlic
2 T fresh lime juice
Salt and pepper

Put all in plastic bag, seal and smush it. Cut bottom corner of the plastic bag and squeeze it all into bowl. Serve with chips. Easy, quick and fairly clean.

Look Grandma! We're Pregnant

No words needed....