Our Lemon Tree

Well as most of you know we have had a science experiment going on our deck for the last year. Yes, we have been growing a lemon tree. It all started last year when we bought the lemon tree from Lowes. It took a bit of pampering during winter where we had to bring it  indoors but it survived its first year. We were excited when it blossomed and put on a single lemon and even more excited now that the single lemon finally matured. We had to choose between 1 glass of lemonade or lemon meringue pie. We chose the latter. Maybe next year I will be telling you about the great glass of lemonade that we will enjoy.

Come on over and enjoy a piece of pie!

Almost ready for the big ride

So, last spring when Eric asked me if I wanted to join him for the Gran Fondo 100 mile bike ride I knew that I would never survive unless I came up with a training plan. I was told that if I could ride 80 miles before the race, I would be able to complete the 100 mile course. So with 80 miles as my goal, I took the race date of July the 13th and counted backwards subtracting 5 miles per week from 80 until I got to 20 miles, which was my first ride. Well yesterday I hit my target of 80 miles. If you are wondering how far 80 miles (40 miles on a round trip) will take you from Layton, it is Corrine UT. Because of the recent heat wave resulting in 100°f temperatures, I had to start at 5:30am so I would finish before noon. By 7:30am it was already 85°f and by the time I got home at 11:30 it was over 100°f. It was an uneventful ride other than getting another flat tire. Two more weeks to go!

This was the welcome to Corrine sign but you can read it

Monkey Bridge

If you recall, last fall we cut down our Popular trees that lined the back yard. It was a big project but a part of the trees remained. I saved the tops of several trees so that I could use them for our Boy Scout day camp and make a monkey bridge. We started off with teaching the boys how to tie the knots and then we put the monkey bridge together. It was a lot of fun and the bridge held up.

 The scouts loved the bridge

 the bridge was about 10' tall and 5' off of the ground

You can see what remains of our trees on the far right

The span of the bridge was about 30'

I miss the shade of the trees but the trees continue giving.

The great state of Texas

Joseph and I were able to go out to Texas towards the end of May and visit Angela and Jeff and their family.

The day we flew in we attended Jeff's graduation from Medical school.

Angela and Dr. Jeff and their sweet family

 Joseph and I with Jeff at the graduation.

Jeff's parents were gracious in allowing us stay with them as well as letting us borrow their car.  After we left the Houston area it was all rural.  We passed a lot of fields and pastures of cattle.  We fell in love with this part of Texas.  It is still green and beautiful but not as lush as the Houston area.  We stopped at the Blue Bell Ice Cream factory and took a  tour of how they make their product.  It was really interesting to see.  Afterwards each member of the tour gets a free bowl of any flavor of Ice cream that they make.  Joseph had the rocky road which he was disappointed with.  (Rocky Road is not Rocky Road without real marshmallows!)  I had the Blackberry cobbler ice cream and it was fabulous.  We also enjoyed different varieties while staying with Angela and Jeff.  It is their favorite brand of ice cream. Blue bell also had a little gift store which we couldn't pass up.  We bought a really nice ice cream scoop. (what better place to buy one than a place that specializes in ice cream)  As it has always been a tradition, whenever we travel someplace new, we bought a christmas ornament .  It is made from a duck egg with the blue bell logo on it.  It really is a nice and delicate ornament and I will have to be very careful with it through the coming years, but it will remind us of the memories we made during this particular trip.

Where Angela and Jeff live, there is a railroad museum. Joseph cannot pass up an opportunity to look at trains, especially old ones.  This was a nice little musuem and we enjoyed learning about the history of the trains in Texas

.  This is Christine and I looking out of the window of the steam engine that they had on display.

 

 The family tradition now seems to be finding the best barbeque; which is not the large chains that is the same where ever you go; but the local flare. This is a resturant that we decided to try out. The locals all eat here and each day we saw lots of cars in the parking lot.  They also close on Sunday as do a lot of the local businesses in the area.  I was very impressed by this.  It says a lot about the community, in that they still recognize that the sabbath is the Lord's day.

 The atmosphere was very rustic with mix-matched chairs and tables which was a little concerning when we first sat down.  The  food was absolutely fabulous and made up for the shabby little resturant.  It was some of the best bbq I have ever had!!!   I also raved about their pinto beans.  The beans were incredible! Grandma Bybee  is the only other person I have known that makes beans this good. When the waitress came to take our order she asked if we were ready to order. Before any of us could respond, our cute little 2 1/2  year old responded: "yes" and in a very mature manner said:  "I would like chicken nuggets, with french fries and sauce for dipping."  The waitress was a little stunned and looked at us to see if it was okay.  We all had to stop ourselves from laughing, she was so grown-up acting when she gave her order.  Angela said: " It's not like we eat out very often". If you're ever visitng Angela and Jeff, plan on going to Chucks.  Your taste buds will thank you.

 While we were there, Joseph had a working vacation.  He can never sit still and he enjoys helping our children anyway he can.  He helped work on many projects that needed to be done.  Here is Jeff and Joseph on the roof adding vents.

I got to spend my first week in Texas just holding our newest grandson.  He looks just like Eric when he was a baby who in turn looks a lot like Joseph. "Such a mighty man!" as Grandpa  would say.

 We also did fun things while we were there.  We went antique store hopping which is one of our favorite things to do when we are in rural areas.  Joseph loves to look at old tools and furniture. Myself; I love the dishes. I like looking at furniture as well, but since I can't get something that size on an airplane I don't want to make myself drool too much.   I bought a set of dessert dishes, that at first look you wouldn't see their beauty.  When we brought them back to the house and I washed them they were georgous. The shop owner probably would of charged more if she had washed them before putting them on display. The light refraction on them is awesome.  It was a set of thirteen, so I gave five of them to Angela to enjoy.  After all what is the fun of having unique dishes if you don't get to use them. I also bought an antique butter dish which I also loved.

This is a large lake in the area that we went to and had a picnic. The lake is huge and made me feel like I was on  an ocean inlet.  Unfortunately the wind was blowing unmercifuly as we tried to have our picnic.  We did our best to keep Jacob out of the wind.

 What is a trip to visit your grandkids if you can't do something fun.  This is a little doll outfit I made for Christine's doll.  It is fun so sew for others, especially my own grandchildren.

I was able to stay a week longer than Joseph, so I could help Angela a little bit. A few of my favorite things include: holding Jacob as often as possible.  Making Blackberry cobbler with Christine as well as other yummy food.  Sitting at the table with Christine in the morning, talking with her and watching the birds at the bird feeder. Watching flopsy ( a little brown rabbit that visits their yard everyday) as he munches on the grass.  Watching Christine play with her toys and dancing to peponi (piano guys with Alex Boye)  She has an amazing imagination. Of course just being with our children and "feeling of the great spirit that is in your homes" as grandpa would say. As mom; I want to indulge if you will allow me to express how grateful I am for the lives that each of you have chosen to live.  You are the joy of Joseph and my lives. We are looking forward to our visit to Missouri next month to see those precious grandsons and of course Bill and Jessica.

The biking adventures continue

I told Debra that it seems like the only two things I do is work and biking and since blogging about work would be pretty boring, I thought I would continue to give you the latest updates on biking.

This whole thing started with a simple 20 mile bike ride last spring and each Saturday since, I go 5 more miles. It seems easy enough - just add 5 miles each week until I hit 80 or 85 miles and then I will be ready for the big 100 mile ride.

Yesterday was my 75 mile trip. I decided to go south this time and if anyone was wondering how far south you go if you are going 37.5 miles, you end up in Taylorsville or about 4700 South in SLC. It was a pleasant and uneventful ride until the last 10 miles or so on the return loop when I reached Jessica and Bill's old apartment on Flint Street. At that point I noticed that the rest of the trip was all uphill. Now most of the time going uphill isn't so bad but after going 65 miles, it can be heartbreaking. But all is well and I changed to the lowest gear possible and made it slowly home. I always think how funny it is that at the end of each ride, I always say to myself, I don’t know if I am going to be able to make the next ride that is 5 miles longer but somehow I always do.

 Made it to Taylorsville

A quick trip to Sardine Peak

This week I thought I would do some cross training so I did a little mountain bike riding. I did the Sardine Peak Loop trail which was an 8.7 mile loop. The trail starts at the base of Snow Basin Ski resort and climbs 1,100 vertical feet. At the top there was a fantastic view of Ogden below as well Pineview reservoir. For others that might want to do the same, it is listed as easy-intermediate technical and only moderately strenuous.

 At the top overlooking Ogden

 Overlooking Pineview Reservoir

Finishing up at the end of the trail

Getting ready for the Cache Valley Gran Fondo bike ride

As many of you know, I am practicing for the Cache Valley Gran Fondo bike ride. Eric talked me into joining him for this 100 mile bike ride that takes place on July the 13. I started my training early this spring with a 20 mile bike ride from Smith and Edwards back to our home in Layton. Each Saturday I increase my training by 5 miles and I am now up to 65 miles. The highlight of my summer training was a couple of weeks ago when Eric and I did a 50 mile ride where we rode to Crystal Hot Springs. I am now at 65 miles with next Saturday planned for 75 miles. So far in training I have had only 2 flats.

At the end of each Saturday ride, I wonder how I am ever going to make it to 100 miles.

 Eric and I starting off from our house heading to Crystal hot Springs

 Arrive at Crystal Hot Springs 50 miles later

 Riding through the Brigham City welcome sign on my ride last Saturday

On the 65 mile ride I made it as far as Honeyville, then turned back to head home

After each Saturday ride, I track my progress on this map.

The map shows the full course which starts in Logan, goes into Idaho and then loops back into Logan.

If you look closely you can see a magnet at the 65 mile marker.