TUESDAY WAS GRANDMA'S FUNERAL

We had Grandma's services held at the chapel at Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary.  It was a beautiful service and I  loved what I learned about my grandmother through my uncles and aunt's talks.  Then we followed her casket to the Orem City Cemetery, where she was buried next to grandpa.

Grandma made this tablecloth.  I thought it was so beautiful.
All of the flowers at her services were different shades of her favorite color, pink, and they were gorgeous.  The florist did such a great job.

Grandma was told she was never going to be able to bear children.
Here are all eight of her miracles in front of her casket.

AS OF TODAY, I AM NOW AT THAT AGE WHERE I NO LONGER HAVE ANY LIVING GRANDPARENTS

My grandmother passed away this afternoon.

Lucille Ida Huntzinger

28 Dec 1918 - 5 Feb 2013

I'll think of her when I make her Caramel Dumpling recipe.

I'll think of her when I manually water the flowers with a hose.  When I was younger she taught me to "water the flowers like rain".  Luckily now a days we have hoses with the 'shower setting', which makes it much easier, but there are those times that you just have to get your hands wet.  Such a silly thing to be reminded of, but it's something that's stuck with me.

I'll think of her when I do family history.  I grew up a Navy brat, so we never lived around family.  It wasn't until after I was married  that we bonded and became friends.  It was fun to call her when I found something that got me excited or to brainstorm.  She got a kick out it.

She wrote me two beautiful letters.  The first one right before I got married and the second one while I was pregnant with Larry J.

I have a few of her paintings hanging in our lair.  The first one she painted for me as a wedding present.  Unfortunately, I didn't appreciate it or her painting talent at first.  But thankfully I grew up and my appreciation for art, family history and maturity kicked in.  Throughout the years, I have acquired a few more of her paintings through family members downsizing.  I love having pieces like that around me.

I'm thankful that I have photos of all my boys with their great-grandmother. Lach has one when he was a baby, but the last time he was in Utah with me, he didn't want to be in the photo. He was too busy checking out her snowglobes.

Until we meet again, Grandma.

I HAVE A FATHER CHRISTMAS MY GRANDMOTHER MADE

for my dad in the 80's. To be honest, he looks a little scary and that is exactly why I like him so much. When I was six, we lived in Italy and I had a scary Santa experience and this Father Christmas reminds me of him. Here's my scary Santa. Who knew they made Santa masks? Isn't that the scariest Santa you've ever seen? Good times, good times....

19 YEARS OLD IN 1937

I just saw this photo of my grandmother, Ida Lucille Huntzinger Young, last night.
It reminds me of Snow White. I wouldn't have been surprised to see a bird on her hand and squirrels and bunnies at her feet.
I think she looks beautiful in this photo.

I ASKED MY BROTHER AND SISTER

to paint me a picture of our grandparents. My brother did a woodburning inspired by this photo of our grandfather.

My sister did a painting inspired after this photo of our grandmother.

I love how this wall is coming together.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS TO DO

in Utah is visit with my family.
Stephanie and I went to see Grandma. In December she is turning 92 and we are already planning her 100th birthday party.
It is so fun to talk to her and listen to her stories. We had a great time visiting with her!
Her memory is starting to fade, so some of the stories get a little more interesting, which is fun. I'm sad about her memory loss starting - that is one of the things I'm not looking forward to when I get older. Grandma is an incredible seamstress. Even though her memories are getting a little fuzzy, her attention to detail is impeccable. She is making burp cloths for her little grand babies and the edging looks like a surger has done the work. Nope, they are hand done with perfectly spaced and height stitching. I was so impressed!

She loves maps and was showing Stephanie some villages in Scotland that we have family history in.

One of the highlights for me was looking at a book her mother had made for her. It is a wooden bound book that her mother had made and painted on and also in the inside cover. The pages all had hand drawn borders with lovely memories and keepsakes inside. It is old and in near perfect condition. What a treasure!

Aunt Lucia was able to come and visit while we were with Grandma. The conversations had me belly roll laughing!

We had a wonderful dinner with Aunt Eloise filled with interesting conversation and a lot of laughter.

And of course we went to visit Grandpa Young's grave site so Stephanie could say goodbye.

UTAH - PART 2

We went to see Grandma Young....
This wee one didn't want to sit by Grandma, but he loved her snowglobe...

My dad and Uncle John asked Grandma questions and video taped her responses. It was a great visit with her.
Grandma has the cutest laugh!

CARAMEL DUMPLINGS

I grew up with
this as a family
favorite.

We loved eating it
on cold winter days,

This recipe is handed
down from my Grandma Young.  I've made a few easy changes to make it vegan.

1/2 cup sugar, caramelized

To caramelize, pour in a large pot and stir constantly until it melts.

2 cups water
1/2 tsp salt
2 TBSP Earth Balance
1 cup sugar

Add hot water to caramelized sugar. It will solidify, so loosen from bottom of pan. Add salt, butter and sugar. Cover with a tight fitting lid and simmer while you prepare the dumplings.

2 TBSP softened Earth Balance (do NOT melt)
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 tsp vanilla

Cream butter and sugar. Add baking powder and vanilla. Alternate adding flour and milk until well combined.
Add dumplings by large teaspoons to caramel mixture. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

Serve with coconut whipped cream or non dairy ice cream.

LET IT SNOW, LET

it snow, let it snow.

My boys are REALLY wanting it to snow for Christmas....

Ferra Marcel Young in Wisconsin while serving his mission

Lucille Ida Huntzinger Young at Strawberry Mountain in 1940

I've been smiling at old photos today and patiently waiting for snow.

I think we'll be waiting a long time....