Henry wishes you a wonderful 4th of July. . .

He's napping now so that he can stay up for the fireworks and homemade ice cream!

July is HOTTER than a firecracker!

Both July days so far have been scorchers! The way you can tell that it has gotten really hot in Arizona is that suddenly car batteries begin to fail and grandchildren and their mother become stranded at swimming lessons. After being rescued by Uncle Eric, the car must be taken in the next morning for a new battery. This means that I miss out on my morning swim. I wait for the afternoon shade to hit before my lap swim. Afternoon swimming is much different than morning swimming because:

- I burn my feet walking across the "cool deck"

- I burn my hand on the pool stair rail

- I feel confused as I enter the very warm water floating on top of the cool water

- After I act as the pool water mix master, the water temperature is 8 degrees warmer than morning pool water

- As I swim, I watch the birds lining up to sit in the bubbling bird bath as they are terrorized by dive bombing humming birds

- I stay in an extra 15 minutes just floating and enjoying the "hot tub"

You will also know that we have reached a new level of "hot" because the sweet potato vines are growing several inches a day. They love the heat. No need to replant these vines. Just cut them back when they become sickly from the cold. Months later when it hits 100 degrees, out they come again in an effort to cover the world!

The plumbago bush also loves the heat. That is why it is covered with beautiful blue blooms in July. When it is too hot to be outside, I stay inside and sew. We will celebrate the Fourth of July by attending Oscar's blessing and naming on Sunday. This is the romper that I made for him to wear.

The smocking on the front is a bit different than any I have done before. The stitching in the middle is composed of Van Dyke and honeycomb stitches. It makes the smocking very stretchy.

I found the pattern in issue number 88 of Australian Smocking and Embroidery.

It is made from lightweight cotton Swiss pique and is trimmed with blue and white striped piping. It is a perfect summer blessing romper.

Once a farmer's daughter . . .

I just finished "Coop" by Michael Perry. I was first made aware of this book on my DIL's book blog. (See sidebar - an excellent place to search for something to read.)

Sometime back I read a book about farming in Iowa. It spoke to and of my mother's generation. I was delighted to read "Coop" which addresses growing up on a farm during my generation. The author, Michael Perry, however, is also attempting to work a small farm in Wisconsin and provide those same experiences for his children. (I am just happy to have a compost bin as I try to harvest a tomato or onion or cucumber. I have considered buying chickens, but then I come to my senses!) This book is a memoir of his first year on his farm but is so much more.

I related on so many levels to the stories Perry tells. He describes in great detail the process of haying which took me right back in time to driving the hay truck (my father would have to jump back in at the end of the row and sift the gears and turn the truck around so I could steer it down the field again) including the demise of the mice. He also took me back into the milking barn with its vacuum tubes and dairy cows. I also returned to the barn loft where the baby chicks would strut under the warming lamps, always a favorite time of mine.

His descriptions of his father and mother and their parenting style also took me home. His parents were part of a fundamentalist religious group and mine were Mormon, but both were devoted to their God, gentle and steadfast in their child rearing, and hard working (each of mine holding down a second part-time job to make a go of it on the farm which had always been in my father's family.)

I enjoyed the author's often humorous writing style, but I appreciated more his introspective thoughts on the roles taken by he and his wife as they embark upon a new lifestyle and the care of their daughters as well as the pigs and chickens.

To read more about Michael Perry and his farming (and writing and singing) adventures go HERE.

Oscar in stripes

Oscar came for a visit and a measuring for his blessing outfit. He was dressed in stripes just like his Aunt Janae, so it was time for pictures.

Oscar was all smiles and baby talk when he first arrived. Henry loves to hold Oscar, but I think Oscar found it to be a bit unsettling.

Henry's momma helped out, with Oscar that is, not the tongue release.

Raymond wanted to add his handsome face and color coordinated shirt to a picture.

Oscar, you are growing up so quickly. Please do not out grow your new blessing outfit before next Sunday!

Ornery Onion would like to announce. . .

the first onion harvest ever at the Jensen homestead.

Several months ago, starts were popped into an old Eastern European oblong wash basin filled with compost enriched potting mix and then they were ignored except for a drip system watering them automatically. The wash basin had a drain spout which kept them moist but not water logged.

The harvest of such beautiful onions brings tears to our eyes!

They now reside in the greenhouse for a week of drying out after which they will be taking turns gracing family dinners.

Yes, Ornery Onion is segregated on the back fence until he learns to be cheerful and full of gratitude!

JJ & Elma's posterity at the cemetery

On Thursday, June 17, Jordan and Elma's family began meeting at their final resting place, Larkin Cemetery in Sandy, Utah. They came from coast to coast and from north to south to honor JJ & Elma and their son, Grant Ray Jensen.

Grant's children honored the wishes of their father to be cremated. It was decided that part of his ashes be placed on the grave site of his parents. The family gathered to participate and remember all three on a beautiful summer day in the shadows of the Wasatch Mountains.

Wylene and Glen

Glen and Peggy

Grandma Joyce and Joshua

Amy and Lisa

Randy and son

Mark and Christina

Joe

John and Miriam

Grant's best friend, Howard and Wylene

The twins, Kevin Shirts and Ryan Jensen

We gathered round as Richard shared some feelings about his dad and ashes were spread . . .


and remembrances shared.

Since there were more of Jordan and Elma's family all in one place than there had been in years, group shots were taken before meeting at Aaron's home in Herriman for lunch.

Howard with Grant Ray's family
Michelle, Jadyn, Richard, and Alex
(Michelle's husband and son Gabe are missing)

JJ & Elma's great grandchildren

JJ & Elma's grandchildren
Several of this group had Grant as their 6th grade teacher.

Wylene and Leioni's family
(without Elder Jordan Ika)

Peggy and Joe's family
(Shawn is missing)

Glen and Laurel's family
(only Ryan and Emilia were able to come)

Joyce and George's family
(all of their children were there,
some spouses and grandchildren missing)

Joyce and George's children, all eight for the first time in years!

Amy's still rocking the house!
She also came the farthest, Rhode Island, but since she flew, Randy gets the prize. He drove from Alabama!

Joyce and George's grandchildren

If you would like to read Grant's obituary go here.

Memories and Father's Day

Eric at 6 weeks smiling at Glen

On this Father's Day, Glen and I have just returned from Utah where we said a formal goodbye to Glen's brother Grant Ray Jensen. It's difficult to believe that he is actually gone from this life. As we drove to and from Utah, we had time to reflect on family and memories. Glen's father always said that it was important to "make a memory." This last week we made more memories. I'll share a few in a later post.

While gone, our oldest son became one year older. I love the above picture of him giving his father a great big smile. On this day, I wish Glen a wonderful Father's Day and Eric a belated happy birthday.

To the sons and son-in-law of my beautiful grandchildren, Happy Father's Day! As I watch each of you parent, I am so impressed with your gentleness and fine example. I also love watching you create memories for your little ones. Thank you!

On Thursday evening, the Draper Historic Theatre community met together to reminisce about one of their own. They let Grant's (Ray's) family join with them in a wonderful evening of memories and love.

Grant at Moon Lake with Richard and Michelle, Summer 1979
(Eric and Ryan are in the background)

One of the memories I shared was of Grant as a young, single father who gave his children so much love and care. His children were so important to him, that he became their primary caregiver. I will always remember his dedication as a young father to his children.