Day 240 - TRX
Tried TRX for the first time. I didn't even know what it was until today. You use the ceiling and wall and your own body weight to build muscle. Super fun!
Day 239 - Throw a Spear
Threw a spear with my boys tonight. They were good, my spear only stuck a handful of times. Super fun!
Day 238 - Swimming Laps
I tried to swim on my own today. Yeah, swimming blood does not run in my family. I NEED lessons.
Day 237 - Mashed Sweet Potatoes & Lemon Green Beans
YUMM! My boys loved this too, so I will be making these veggies again.
Day 236 - Cabin
Stayed at the Cabin tonight. We haven't been to the cabin for 10 years-why has it taken us so long to get back up there?!
Day 235 - Free Fall Jump
Scared the Crap out of me! From the bottom it looked so fun. From the top I was terrified! I think the last two 'firsts' may count toward trying to overcome a fear. But to overcome I feel like you need to not be afraid of them anymore, and I'm still scared of speed and heights.
Day 234 - Motorcycle Ride with Hubby
Scary! My legs were wobbling so badly I didn't think I could stand when I got off the bike.
Day 233 - Beautiful Necklace from Italy
My Aunt bought me the prettiest necklace from Italy. So pretty!
Day 231 - Meatball Raigatoni?
"Nothing diminishes anxiety faster than action."
-Walter Anderson
This is the first pasta dish I have ever made where my boys could care less for the noodles and beg for more meatballs and sauce.
Yum!
Day 230 - Lemon Icebox Pie
"How you spend your time is more important than how you spend your money. Money mistakes can be corrected, but time is gone forever."
-David Norris
I told you this month was the month of food, but again, food is a really easy way to try new things. Plus, I hate to be in the kitchen and I'm really trying to be a better cook. So, although this is not healthy by any stretch of the imagination, I decided to enter a Pie Baking Contest and this was a pie I tried out. Also, I'm super uncomfortable with strangers tasting my food, incase it's gross, so this is kind of like trying to conquer a fear. Hence the Pie Baking Contest.
Yummy. Lemoney (is that a word?). Cool. Summery (not sure if that is a word either).
-David Norris
I told you this month was the month of food, but again, food is a really easy way to try new things. Plus, I hate to be in the kitchen and I'm really trying to be a better cook. So, although this is not healthy by any stretch of the imagination, I decided to enter a Pie Baking Contest and this was a pie I tried out. Also, I'm super uncomfortable with strangers tasting my food, incase it's gross, so this is kind of like trying to conquer a fear. Hence the Pie Baking Contest.
Yummy. Lemoney (is that a word?). Cool. Summery (not sure if that is a word either).
Day 229 - Utah Natural History Museum
"Goals that are not written down are just wishes."
There was so much to see, I just didn't take that many pictures because we were so engaged with everything. But this museum is chocked full of interesting things!
-Unknown
Went up to the Natural History Museum today, with some trepidation, and was totally blown away. This seriously is the best museum I have ever been in. Normally when I go to a museum with my boys we are bored within 1/2 hour. This museum we had to pull ourselves away to eat (they have a really nice eating area!) and then we ran back in.
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| Learning about cells |
The beautiful thing about this museum is the flow. You literally go from one exhibit to the next through the whole museum. You don't have a break where you are not learning something or trying something or seeing something cool. From a parent perspective, you could spend all day there. From a kid perspective…they were constantly saying, "Mom, Mom, Mom". It was wonderful to see a museum were from ages 2 to 98 everyone could be engaged in stimulating the mind.
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| Ants |
They have four free days a year, which I will so be trying out, I loved this museum so much!
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| Native American Archeological Site |
There was so much to see, I just didn't take that many pictures because we were so engaged with everything. But this museum is chocked full of interesting things!
Check it out!
Day 228 - Lifting Class
"What you get by achieving your goals is as important as what you become by achieving your goals."
-Zig Ziglar
Went to my first lifting class today. No pictures because I was sweaty, but the building is so nice. It's a very small gym and when I showed up three ladies from my neighborhood were there and one of my best friends, so it was like a big party since we all knew each other, and it didn't hurt that we knew the instructor too.
Anyway, if you get a chance to take a class at Evolve, or Total Health and Fitness, with Kat Morril, do it. It's hard, but so much fun!
-Zig Ziglar
Went to my first lifting class today. No pictures because I was sweaty, but the building is so nice. It's a very small gym and when I showed up three ladies from my neighborhood were there and one of my best friends, so it was like a big party since we all knew each other, and it didn't hurt that we knew the instructor too.
Anyway, if you get a chance to take a class at Evolve, or Total Health and Fitness, with Kat Morril, do it. It's hard, but so much fun!
Day 227 - Hawks Nest
"Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life."
-David Burns
A huge elm on our street was being taken down, so I went and asked the workers if they could save the Hawk's nest that was in it. They were super nice and saved it for me so that I could show my boys. Looking up from below it just looks like a tangle of sticks and branches, but this nest is well built.
The two baby hawks had already learned to fly so the eggs in this nest were unhatched chicks. What amazes me about the nest is how intertwined the sticks/branches are. You could not tug one stick/branch loose. How do birds know how to do this? It truly amazes me.
Incredible to see up close.
-David Burns
A huge elm on our street was being taken down, so I went and asked the workers if they could save the Hawk's nest that was in it. They were super nice and saved it for me so that I could show my boys. Looking up from below it just looks like a tangle of sticks and branches, but this nest is well built.
The two baby hawks had already learned to fly so the eggs in this nest were unhatched chicks. What amazes me about the nest is how intertwined the sticks/branches are. You could not tug one stick/branch loose. How do birds know how to do this? It truly amazes me.
Incredible to see up close.
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| Can you see the bones from an animal. Obviously dinner for the baby hawks before they could fly. |
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| There are some bird skeleton feet on the upper left and a bird soul by the top egg. |
Day 226 - Discover my Passions
"Passions are how you live your life. Goals are things that you achieve."
-Attwoods
There is a wonderful book, "The Passion Test", by Janet and Chris Attwood. In this book they have created some steps to help you narrow down your top 5 passions. It doesn't matter if they are feasible, you still write them down. "The brain is very happy when you're focused on what you love."
The steps are really fun. It definitely makes you look deep inside and once you have your top 5 passions it is kind of liberating knowing what you really want to do. Honestly, I was surprised with my top choice, but extremely excited too. It is what I want to do, I just didn't recognize it until now.
The Attwoods suggest retaking the test every year. And lets be honest, we change, and they say that when one passion is meet you need to replace it with another. Always keep growing is the motto.
Day 225 - Find Beauty in Little Things
"Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow."
-Doug Firebaugh
Our days are made up of routines and patterns. Get up; feed the kids; don't forget yourself; get them dressed; do the dishes; pick up the toys; the list goes on and on. Sometimes we dream of an escape, an adventure or a trip. We get caught up in the raising of our children and the hurry to do this. The mundane routines can be blissful if we stop and look; take a breath and look up from our computers, iPhones, picking up the toys, vacuuming the floors.
If you are anything like me you only catch of glimpse of how amazing things really are before getting sucked back into the monotony of routine. I am not good at this and need to try being mindful and seeing the beauty in little things. I need to surrender to the moment. Experience the miracle of life, right now.
Day 224-Run a Different Route
When you change a habit, the neurons in your brain are forced to 'rethink', to develop a new way of thinking. Firsts; new experiences; thinking positive instead of negative; these all change the pattern of neurons in your brain.
Day 223 - Pineapple Yogurt
Call it the month of food. Seriously, I don't know why all my 'news' this month so far are food related, but they are and this one is my favorite. It is not the creamy yellow color associated with Dole Whip, or the Pineapple Ice cream served at the Dole Plantation in Hawaii, but it is so good! This pineapple yogurt makes you want to fly to Hawaii.
Day 222 - Andes Mints Cookies
Laughter is brightest where food is best.
-Irish Proverb
I don't know why I have so many food firsts this month. Seriously, can't I get more original. But the thing is, food is such an easy way to try something new and there are so many options. You can see why I have to exercise so much.
Back on track. My boys have been begging me to buy these Andes Mints chips since Summer started. (Does anyone else think grocery shopping with your kids in the summer is a whole new ballgame. Seriously, I feel like I'm in a three ring circus when I go with all the boys. The two that are usually in school when I go act like they've never seen a grocery store before and they want everything! But I love them dearly again…when we leave the store).
I digress. It must have been the chocolate smell that made me succumb….the chips ended up in my cart and so today I whipped up a batch of Andes Mints Cookies. The recipe doesn't use salt-weird huh. But yummy.
And I don't know why this picture is fuzzy, I must have been drooling over the smell of warm cookies from the oven..
Day 221 - Make Lip Scrub
“For Attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day."
-Audrey Hepburn
Ladies, no one likes to kiss scratchy lips. You know the kind I'm talking about. Here is a perfect Lip Scrub, and it totally works. Not that my lips are scratchy or gross, but sometimes I feel like they are not as smooth as I would like them to be. So when I saw this scrub I thought, "I have to try this."
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day."
-Audrey Hepburn
Ladies, no one likes to kiss scratchy lips. You know the kind I'm talking about. Here is a perfect Lip Scrub, and it totally works. Not that my lips are scratchy or gross, but sometimes I feel like they are not as smooth as I would like them to be. So when I saw this scrub I thought, "I have to try this."
1 Tube soft lips chapstick (if you don’t have chapstick on hand use A&D ointment or coconut oil)1/4 Teaspoon Sugar
a couple drops olive oil
a couple drops olive oil
Directions:
Empty the chapstick into a small bowl add sugar and olive oil and mix well.
Roll down chapstick container and refill with mixture.
Apply chapstick in circular motion all over your lips. Wipe excess sugar and enjoy baby soft lips. ( I buy the two pack of soft lips so that I can apply the non-sugar one after my exfoliation)
I did not have chapstick on hand so I used coconut oil and it worked just fine. Loving my coconut oil this summer. What with my Lemon Body Scrub I made and now this. I'm going to me one smooth chick.
I totally think I'm going to make some for my sisters to give it a try.
Day 220 - Bake a Cake for Someone Special
“Chocolate symbolizes, as does no other food, luxury, comfort, sensuality, gratification, and love.”
― Karl Petzke
The picture just does not do justice to the chocolateiness (is that even a word) of this cake. Such a gooey, chocolatey layer cake. By the way, I need to learn how to take pictures of food, because frankly I'm not very good at it. But I am good at making chocolate cake and I put this on my first ever cake stand to make it pretty. Yeah me!
― Karl Petzke
The picture just does not do justice to the chocolateiness (is that even a word) of this cake. Such a gooey, chocolatey layer cake. By the way, I need to learn how to take pictures of food, because frankly I'm not very good at it. But I am good at making chocolate cake and I put this on my first ever cake stand to make it pretty. Yeah me!
*Day 219 - Park City 4th of July Parade
"Those who won our independence believed liberty to be the secret of happiness and courage to be the secret of liberty."
Went to the 4th of July parade in Park City today. Loved the Mariachi band and the Bag Pipes and the Marching Band. I think parades are just fun. And super fun when celebrating the 4th of July!
Went to the 4th of July parade in Park City today. Loved the Mariachi band and the Bag Pipes and the Marching Band. I think parades are just fun. And super fun when celebrating the 4th of July!
Heading out to Fireworks soon. Happy 4th!
Day 218 - Banana Split
“If I could lick the sunset, I’ll bet it would taste like Neapolitan ice cream.
”
― Jarod Kintz
YUM!
― Jarod Kintz
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| Leatherby's Banana Split. The medium version. |
Day 217 - Lake Mary
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.”
― John Muir
This hike is the steepest hike we have been on to date. The trailhead for Lake Mary starts in the Brighton Ski Resort Parking Lot. It's really obscure and unless you see hikers coming down you are probably not going to give the trailhead a second glance. Put it this way, if you drive to the Brighton Lodge you've gone too far.
Lake Mary is a 1 mile hike, with an elevation gain of 760 feet. But if my youngest can hike it anyone can. There are some pretty stops along the trail (and off-shhhh) and some chipmunks to feed once you reach the lake. We sat very still and laid some crumbs out to see the chipmunks.
― John Muir
This hike is the steepest hike we have been on to date. The trailhead for Lake Mary starts in the Brighton Ski Resort Parking Lot. It's really obscure and unless you see hikers coming down you are probably not going to give the trailhead a second glance. Put it this way, if you drive to the Brighton Lodge you've gone too far.
Lake Mary is a 1 mile hike, with an elevation gain of 760 feet. But if my youngest can hike it anyone can. There are some pretty stops along the trail (and off-shhhh) and some chipmunks to feed once you reach the lake. We sat very still and laid some crumbs out to see the chipmunks.
Day 216 - Bleachers
"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place."
-Lance Armstrong
I've never run bleachers before. All I know to do is run up and back down. There was a guy running bleachers this morning that I watched, without trying to look like I was watching him. I'm not sure how successful I was. He probably was like, "What is that strange, sweaty girl doing staring at me. Creepy!"
Anyway, he did hops and sideways and skipping steps….Again, I need to learn more because my butt got handed to me on a silver platter this morning! BLAH I was tired.
-Lance Armstrong
I've never run bleachers before. All I know to do is run up and back down. There was a guy running bleachers this morning that I watched, without trying to look like I was watching him. I'm not sure how successful I was. He probably was like, "What is that strange, sweaty girl doing staring at me. Creepy!"
Anyway, he did hops and sideways and skipping steps….Again, I need to learn more because my butt got handed to me on a silver platter this morning! BLAH I was tired.
Day 215 - Track Running
"We all have dreams, in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline and effort."
-Jesse Owens
This morning I went to the track. I haven't run on a track since College. Is it still 4 times around equals a mile?
Anyway, I thought I'd try some sprints (but I don't really know what I'm doing-shh) and some other things. Results….I need to learn more about sprints. And food. And how not to feel so tired after only 20 minutes. And…..the turf is really nice. I've never run on turf before.
-Jesse Owens
This morning I went to the track. I haven't run on a track since College. Is it still 4 times around equals a mile?
Anyway, I thought I'd try some sprints (but I don't really know what I'm doing-shh) and some other things. Results….I need to learn more about sprints. And food. And how not to feel so tired after only 20 minutes. And…..the turf is really nice. I've never run on turf before.
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| My view this morning. |
Day 213 - Archery!!
“Happiness is not a goal...it's a by-product of a life well lived.”
― Eleanor Roosevelt
So technically this is not a separate day, but I'm totally counting it because I want to remember this first. I've wanted to try archery since I was a little girl, and I still have a goal to learn more about archery. But this did not disappoint and in fact, this experience gave me a greater desire to try this again with some girlfriends.
My story about this can be read on Day 212. I didn't post the pictures of the other women, but this was really fun AND I hit the target, twice. Which is all the arrows I had so I did pretty well I think.
― Eleanor Roosevelt
So technically this is not a separate day, but I'm totally counting it because I want to remember this first. I've wanted to try archery since I was a little girl, and I still have a goal to learn more about archery. But this did not disappoint and in fact, this experience gave me a greater desire to try this again with some girlfriends.
My story about this can be read on Day 212. I didn't post the pictures of the other women, but this was really fun AND I hit the target, twice. Which is all the arrows I had so I did pretty well I think.
Day 212 - My First Scout Camp
“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.”
― Albert Einstein
When I was a little girl I dreamed of going to Scout Camp. I thought they did the funnest things! Archery. BB gun shooting. Canoeing. The list was extensive in my little mind. Girls camp was stupid. To this day I hate Girls Camp. I wanted to learn to do fun things…not make some stupid craft. So today I got to go!
How did it compare to what I had always imagined? Well, it was shaded and very organized. The boys get to do archery and since there were three women in our group I asked if the leaders could try too (what's the worst they could say, No. And I figured none of us had ever had a chance to try archery). The archery leader gave each of us two arrows. AWESOME!!! I helped two people (plus some little boys) try something new and they loved it!
They have a trading post where you can buy candy, science experiments, pocket knives, weird toys, etc. They don't have this at Girls Camp I'll tell you that much!
They have obstacle courses and shows and learning stations (we got to learn about the solar system and the guy knew his stuff. He even told the boys about an observatory they could visit for free!)
By the end I was tired. I'm not going to lie. I was pooped and just wanted to go home and take my midday nap. But…it was really fun and the eight boys we took up had a blast!
― Albert Einstein
When I was a little girl I dreamed of going to Scout Camp. I thought they did the funnest things! Archery. BB gun shooting. Canoeing. The list was extensive in my little mind. Girls camp was stupid. To this day I hate Girls Camp. I wanted to learn to do fun things…not make some stupid craft. So today I got to go!
How did it compare to what I had always imagined? Well, it was shaded and very organized. The boys get to do archery and since there were three women in our group I asked if the leaders could try too (what's the worst they could say, No. And I figured none of us had ever had a chance to try archery). The archery leader gave each of us two arrows. AWESOME!!! I helped two people (plus some little boys) try something new and they loved it!
They have obstacle courses and shows and learning stations (we got to learn about the solar system and the guy knew his stuff. He even told the boys about an observatory they could visit for free!)
By the end I was tired. I'm not going to lie. I was pooped and just wanted to go home and take my midday nap. But…it was really fun and the eight boys we took up had a blast!
Day 211 - Homemade Donuts
“If you were born without wings, do nothing to prevent them from growing.”
― Coco Chanel
Oh WOW! These glazed donuts are to die for!!!!
― Coco Chanel
Oh WOW! These glazed donuts are to die for!!!!
7 Month Recap
I think Ernest Hemingway says what I feel best. "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end." The experiences I've had this past 7 months has been amazing. I definitely am more aware of seeing new things or being aware of exciting things around me. Like this morning on my bike ride. As I came around the corner I saw a line of Hotshot Firefighters hiking up the road. Blue helmets and yellow jackets. Axes slung over their shoulders. It was exciting. Like being at a parade and hearing the marching band go by. My heart was excited and awake and glad to be alive.
Where were they going? Were they training in all their gear, getting use to climbing up steep hills? Or were they doing work up there? The point is, doing new things opens your eyes to new things. Small moments of wonder and wanting to know more.
This past month I was able to experience some amazing things.
Perhaps it is because I am in a 'mood' that will not shake these past three weeks, or perhaps I am feeling that I've become a selfish person. Whatever the reason, I feel like I've become so focused on finding something new everyday that I've lost sight of what is really important.
So for the next month I'm going to focus more on spiritual goals and service goals. I'm still going to work toward doing 365 new things in one year, but I need to focus more on things that are more lasting than a quick 'fun'.
I'll let you know what I find!
Where were they going? Were they training in all their gear, getting use to climbing up steep hills? Or were they doing work up there? The point is, doing new things opens your eyes to new things. Small moments of wonder and wanting to know more.
This past month I was able to experience some amazing things.
- Outdoor concerts in the park are a new favorite summer experience for me. WOW!
- My first trail run-I'm totally hooked!!! I need more trail running buddies because I want to go more.
- Rock Climbing. My husband and boys are totally hooked. We've found a new family outdoor activity we all like to do. In fact we want to get rock climbing gear for Christmas. Such a fun experience.
- Red Butte Gardens. BEAUTIFUL!
- Kickboxing. I found another activity I really love. It leaves me either totally sore or totally wasted the next day, but I love this. The hour goes by so fast!
- All the amazing natural wonders in our mountains.
- Macroinvertebrates are awesome!
- Beavers-I've seen the lodges and the dams and beavers swimming. But to see the trees that were actually cut by beavers was pretty amazing.
- Robin's Nest-I haven't seen a robin's nest since I was a child. It was really fun to show my boys.
Perhaps it is because I am in a 'mood' that will not shake these past three weeks, or perhaps I am feeling that I've become a selfish person. Whatever the reason, I feel like I've become so focused on finding something new everyday that I've lost sight of what is really important.
So for the next month I'm going to focus more on spiritual goals and service goals. I'm still going to work toward doing 365 new things in one year, but I need to focus more on things that are more lasting than a quick 'fun'.
I'll let you know what I find!
Day 210 - See a Robin's Nest
“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.”
― John Muir
This robin's nest was in a little tree up the canyon. Beautiful isn't it.
― John Muir
This robin's nest was in a little tree up the canyon. Beautiful isn't it.
Day 209 - Salt Lake City Cemetery & a Mystery
"All that we are is a result of what we have thought."
-Buddha
Visited the Salt Lake City Cemetery for my first time this afternoon. It was so peaceful and so beautiful. The old headstones are my favorite. Some were so old they seemed to be crumbling and others you couldn't read half of what was carved on them. The variety of names and headstones was really amazing to see all together in one place. War veterans, children, old headstones, brand new headstones, Jewish, Catholic, LDS, Indian, even a paupers field.
The Jewish cemetery was beautiful. Some of the tombstones had what I assume is Hebrew written on them. Why do family members place little stones on their families tombstones? It seems a very sweet tradition.
Some of the tombstones were sad. Little children-The Angel Monument for anyone who has lost a little child and the Wheelchair Monument for the little 9 year old boy were touching. We ran across one that was a bench and the little 2 year old boy's family had left him some toy cars to play with. I almost cried with that one.
Family members like these sisters that went within a month of each other, what illness did they have? Ages 3, 7, 12 and Mary most likely sick on her 12th birthday.
So much history here. I would love to learn the stories behind all the people buried here. I bet there are some really interesting ones. We ran into one gentleman, and his son, who was their visiting his grandfather. He told me his grandfather came into the valley with Brigham Young. How cool is that!
-Buddha
Visited the Salt Lake City Cemetery for my first time this afternoon. It was so peaceful and so beautiful. The old headstones are my favorite. Some were so old they seemed to be crumbling and others you couldn't read half of what was carved on them. The variety of names and headstones was really amazing to see all together in one place. War veterans, children, old headstones, brand new headstones, Jewish, Catholic, LDS, Indian, even a paupers field.
The Jewish cemetery was beautiful. Some of the tombstones had what I assume is Hebrew written on them. Why do family members place little stones on their families tombstones? It seems a very sweet tradition.
Some of the tombstones were sad. Little children-The Angel Monument for anyone who has lost a little child and the Wheelchair Monument for the little 9 year old boy were touching. We ran across one that was a bench and the little 2 year old boy's family had left him some toy cars to play with. I almost cried with that one.
Family members like these sisters that went within a month of each other, what illness did they have? Ages 3, 7, 12 and Mary most likely sick on her 12th birthday.
But these two were the ones that moved me the most. Their testimony shouts what they believe, even in death and maybe because they were always my heroes that I was especially excited to see them. I didn't know they were buried in the Salt Lake Cemetery.
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| Firm in the Faith of the Gospel |
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| "My body sleeps for a moment, but my testimony lives and shall endure forever." |
The first pioneers to the valley almost starved to death that first year and then the crickets came and started eating their harvest before the Lord sent seagulls to eat the crickets. I bet that gentleman has some amazing family stories to share!
There is even a mystery that surround the Cemetery. The Unsolved mystery of Jean-Baptiste. Jean-Baptiste was employed as the first grave digger for the Salt Lake City Cemetery. The death of Moroni Clawson set off a chain of events that would etch Jean-Baptiste into the pages of Utah's Mysteries and Urban Legends forever. Here is the story:
Those who knew and loved young Moroni Clawson were no doubt saddened by his death in January 1862 and may have even witnessed his burial in the city cemetery on the north bench of Salt Lake City. Several days later, however, their private grief turned public. An event had occurred that, according to outraged citizens and public officials, could not pass unnoticed and without severe consequences.
There is even a mystery that surround the Cemetery. The Unsolved mystery of Jean-Baptiste. Jean-Baptiste was employed as the first grave digger for the Salt Lake City Cemetery. The death of Moroni Clawson set off a chain of events that would etch Jean-Baptiste into the pages of Utah's Mysteries and Urban Legends forever. Here is the story:
Those who knew and loved young Moroni Clawson were no doubt saddened by his death in January 1862 and may have even witnessed his burial in the city cemetery on the north bench of Salt Lake City. Several days later, however, their private grief turned public. An event had occurred that, according to outraged citizens and public officials, could not pass unnoticed and without severe consequences.
Only weeks before his death, Moroni Clawson had been arrested for participating in the sensational robbery and assault of Gov. John W. Dawson whose stormy relationship with the Mormons had prompted him to flee the territory. When the young man escaped from the penitentiary on January 17, he was pursued and shot down by a Salt Lake police officer. Since no one came forward to pay for a proper burial, Henry Heath of the city police department purchased, with his own money, Clawson's burial clothes. After witnessing the burial, Heath was surprised to learn a week later that, while uncovering the grave to move the body to a family cemetery, George Clawson, Moroni's brother, had discovered that the corpse was completely naked!
Heath quickly organized an investigation of the strange occurrence. Finding no evidence at the grave site, he continued his inquiry at the home of gravedigger Jean Baptiste. His wife invited the officers into the house. While there they noticed a stack of boxes in a corner of the room. One of the officers peeked inside a box and found neatly folded burial clothes. Upon further investigation it was discovered that Jean Baptiste had collected nearly 60 pairs of children's and adult's shoes, clothing, and personal belongings by robbing some 300 graves. He was arrested and sent to jail.
When news of the lurid discovery spread throughout the city, residents expressed both their horror and loathing of the crime. Mobs gathered at the jail, threatening to lynch the grave robber. Hundreds thronged to the city courthouse during his trial. In reaction to the situation, Brigham Young assured worried residents that the bodies of their loved ones would rise up in the resurrection wearing the original clothes in which they were buried. Meanwhile, police officers tried to correct part of the problem by putting all the burial clothes found in Baptiste's home in a large box and burying it in a single grave in the cemetery.
Still, the question of what to do with Jean Baptiste remained. Shunned even by his fellow inmates, he was not safe within or outside prison walls. Arguing that the prisoner's safety could not be guaranteed, city officials had Baptiste secretly placed in a wagon at night and taken across the Antelope Bar to Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake. He was soon moved to the more remote Fremont Island in order to prevent his wading ashore to the mainland.
Jean Baptiste's life in exile on Fremont Island was short-lived. Only three weeks after his arrival cattle herders came to the island to survey their animals. They discovered that a heifer had been killed and its hide tanned for leather. Lengths of wood had been torn from a small ranch house on the island, presumably to construct a raft. Leaving behind only these small traces of his existence and possible escape, Jean Baptiste was nowhere to be found.
The mystery of the eventual fate of Jean Baptiste has never been solved. When hunters found a skeleton with an iron clamp around its leg near the mouth of the Jordan River in March 1893, an article in the Salt Lake Tribune retold the story of Jean Baptiste and speculated that the skeleton belonged to the unfortunate convict. The Deseret News contested this theory by recording the statements of police officers Henry Heath and Albert Dewey confirming that Jean Baptiste was not wearing a ball and chain around his leg when he was placed on Fremont Island. This controversy added yet another puzzling element to the Jean Baptiste story. Even today the bizarre tale of his grave robberies and island exile remains a mystery in the annals of Utah history.
Day 208 - See a Tree cut by a Beaver
"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
-St. Francis of Assisi
I have NEVER seen a tree cut by a beaver. Today I saw one!!!! Totally AWESOME! It looks exactly like the cartoons. There were actually several stumps and trees in one area. We found the beaver lodge and where we think the beaver exits the water to get to the trees.
-St. Francis of Assisi
I have NEVER seen a tree cut by a beaver. Today I saw one!!!! Totally AWESOME! It looks exactly like the cartoons. There were actually several stumps and trees in one area. We found the beaver lodge and where we think the beaver exits the water to get to the trees.
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| See the wood chips by the stump! The log was laying just out of the picture. |
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| Almost through! I can't imagine how long this would take. |
Day 207 - Macroinvertebrate Tally
"Think of success as a game of chance in which you have control over the odds. As you begin to master concepts in personal achievements, you are increasing your odds of achieving success."
-Bo Bennett
Went up to Silver Lake today and found some Water Ecologists looking at some 'dishes' of water. They were kind enough to explain what they were looking at and even game me a Tally Sheet of my own. They love the water at Silver Lake because they get to see macroinvertebrates that they can't see in other Utah waterways because of pollutants.
We saw, to name a few:
- Water Pennies (Super Small!)
- Snails (Pouch Snails and Gilled)
- Leeches (Another first for me and so gross!)
- Damselfly Larva (which are SO cool! They totally look like dragonflies-brilliant blue-when they are adults. I will be going back up to watch for them!)
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| Snail (on bottom left) Leech (kiddy corner above the Snail) |
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| Damselfly Larva (looks a bit like a grasshopper) |
If you ware interested in more, you can go to Cottonwood Canyon Foundation http://cottonwoodcanyons.org. They have free programs that they do, but they don't advertise, so you have to go to their website to find the dates.
Here's what they have up right now.
Wildflower Festival 2014 –
- July 25, 26, 27
- Brighton, Solitude, Alta, Snowbird.
- Free naturalist-guided wildflower walks. Walks and hikes for all levels, kids’ walks with activities built-in, chairlift rides, music, kids’ art, and more!
- Visit www.wasatchwildflowerfestival.org for schedules and details.
- Volunteer guide training begins June 11th, 2014
Ongoing Family Nature Programs at Silver Lake –
- Begins June 6th and runs through August.
- Fridays 11 AM – Nature Story Time (approximately 20 minutes)
- Saturdays 11 AM – Family Nature Walks (lasts approximately 1 hour)
- For more information email info@cottonwoodcanyons.org or call 801-466-6411.
Day 206 - Tracy Aviary
"Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow."
-Doug Firebaugh
-Doug Firebaugh
This was my first ever time to Tracy Aviary and I was really surprised. The Owl Forest was my favorite! But the rest of the exhibits were really amazing. I also loved the picnic and benches and chairs they had around, plus there was a lot of shade, which makes it nice in the summer.
I won't go into the shockingly rude encounters we had from other families there, but it has tainted me a bit. When did mothers stop teaching their families manners?
Day 205 - Soft Pretzles
"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars."
-Les Brown
Very Good!
-Les Brown
Very Good!
Day 204 - Creekside Park
"If you don't know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else."
-Lawrence J. Peter
Where else in the world can you go and spend a day with a view of the mountains, like this. The literally stretch strait up from where you are. Stunning! To be able to play and eat lunch and enjoy perfect weather in a setting like this…well, life just doesn't get any better than this.
To find this park take 100 N off of Main Street in Alpine. Then drive east to 600 E.
-Lawrence J. Peter
Where else in the world can you go and spend a day with a view of the mountains, like this. The literally stretch strait up from where you are. Stunning! To be able to play and eat lunch and enjoy perfect weather in a setting like this…well, life just doesn't get any better than this.
To find this park take 100 N off of Main Street in Alpine. Then drive east to 600 E.
Day 203 - Create my Life Mission Statement
"Having a destination is like setting a needle in your compass. From then on, the compass knows only one point-its ideal. And it will faithfully guide you there through the darkest nights and fiercest storms."
-Daniel Boone
Today I created my life Mission Statement.
-Daniel Boone
Today I created my life Mission Statement.
To be humble.
To say thanks to God in some way, ever day.
To make my family and all my friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.
To laugh often & love much.
To play & laugh with enthusiasm.
To leave the world a little better, whether by a child, a garden patch, or bringing one soul to the knowledge of Jesus Christ & Heavenly Father.
To make one life easier, more beautiful for one person.
To appreciate the world around me.
Day 202 - Shrinky Dinks
"If you really know what you want out of life, it's amazing how opportunities will come to enable you to carry them out."
-Dr. Goddard
When was the last time you remember playing with Shrinky Dinks? I forgot how much fun these were.
-Dr. Goddard
When was the last time you remember playing with Shrinky Dinks? I forgot how much fun these were.
Day 201 - God Grew Tired of Us
"Thoughts become things."
-Mike Dooley
I read this book and was hooked, so I had to see the documentary.
I look at life a little differently now.
-Mike Dooley
I read this book and was hooked, so I had to see the documentary.
I look at life a little differently now.
Day 200 - KICKBOXING
-Henry Ford
I have wanted to try kickboxing since high school. This morning I woke up and went to the 6:00 am class at UCTC, for their kickboxing class and... IT… WAS… AWESOME!!!
The class felt like one big family. I walked in (like a deer in the headlights) and they totally welcomed me in. I felt at home right away. They were so funny talking to each other I think I laughed the whole time. Seriously, one big family!
It was a workout, but the hour went so fast and for the whole rest of the day I felt so energized. I think I've found something that I totally love. All day I kept thinking about how I wanted to go back. Such a blast.
By the way, my blue nails match the mat...
Update: This morning (next day) I woke up and I am sore, in such a good way.
Day 199 - Blue Fingernails????
"Imagination is everything. it is the preview of life's coming attractions."
-Albert Einstein
I was very hesitant to do this 'first'. Blue fingernails are not my thing, but it was daring and I'm even going to wear them rock climbing tonight. (Yes, my Fred Flinstone feet hurt in my rock climbing shoes. I have very square feet, that's what I get for running around barefoot all my life.)
I think I might like this color for Halloween or races or just to be crazy. Don't look too close. I've got fingernail polish all over outside my nails. I'm a sloppy 'painter'.
-Albert Einstein
I was very hesitant to do this 'first'. Blue fingernails are not my thing, but it was daring and I'm even going to wear them rock climbing tonight. (Yes, my Fred Flinstone feet hurt in my rock climbing shoes. I have very square feet, that's what I get for running around barefoot all my life.)
I think I might like this color for Halloween or races or just to be crazy. Don't look too close. I've got fingernail polish all over outside my nails. I'm a sloppy 'painter'.
Day 198 - Hill Aerospace Museum
"Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you believe."
-Oprah Winfrey
-Oprah Winfrey
This morning we headed off to the Hill Aerospace Museum. It was raining crazy so we didn't get to walk around outside to see the HUGE airplanes, but inside was really fun.
To get there take Exit 338. Follow the road around until you see a sign that points toward the museum. If you really want to impress your kids-or whoever you go with-here is some quick information that will make you sound very knowledgeable.
A-Attack
B-Bomber
C-Cargo
F-Fighter
SR-Stealth Reconnaissance
Now you are ready to impress.
Also, if you go make sure you print off one of the scavenger hunts, it makes it really fun for the adults and for the children. For example, the B-17 "Flying Fortress" - think Memphis Bell movie - carried 13 .50-caliber machine guns. Can you find them all?
Day 197 - Make a Rainbow Loom Rubberband Bracelet
“In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration.”
― Ansel Adams
These are really popular with the kids in our area, even my nephews make these. So I tried my hand at it today and Wa-La!
― Ansel Adams
These are really popular with the kids in our area, even my nephews make these. So I tried my hand at it today and Wa-La!
Day 196 - Eat at the Lion House Pantry
“Adventure is not outside man; it is within.”
Such great food! It is best not to count calories here, but instead sit back and enjoy real comfort food!
Day 195 - Red Butte Gardens
“May your adventures bring you closer together, even as they take you far away from home.”
― Trenton Lee Stewart
In all the years that I have lived in Utah I have never been to Red Butte Gardens. Sad. This place was amazing! If you have not ever gone and you live in Utah go try a new first. They will not disappoint.
We took the suggested route on the map, for the most part. There are trails that jut off into the unknown that beg to be explored, which is lovely to find in a garden like this. The Pear Arbor was amazing. I totally want to try that with my fruit trees. Such a fun thing-I have never seen this done before and it's quite beautiful.
There are loads of fun resting benches and picnic spots, which was wonderful. It made it so much more inviting and 'stay a while' attitude. The step out places to eat are covered in shade so you can relax and they are a bit private so you feel like you are eating in private while really you are in this amazing garden with lots of people walking around.
The ponds were stunning! My boys loved feeding the fish and the ducks (thanks nice couple that bought fish/duck food for my boys). They though it was funny to see the ducklings and the fish fight over the food.
They have a Children's garden that really is a children's garden. It was marvelous! There were mazes-only child size, and fountains and a sandbox with shade over it so kids can play and play as long as they want. Splash pads and waterfalls and so many fun places to explore and the plants are kid friendly plants. It was so much fun! I'm not sure what we liked more, the Gardens or the Children's Garden.
Amazing place! Well worth the price of admission!
― Trenton Lee Stewart
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We took the suggested route on the map, for the most part. There are trails that jut off into the unknown that beg to be explored, which is lovely to find in a garden like this. The Pear Arbor was amazing. I totally want to try that with my fruit trees. Such a fun thing-I have never seen this done before and it's quite beautiful.
There are loads of fun resting benches and picnic spots, which was wonderful. It made it so much more inviting and 'stay a while' attitude. The step out places to eat are covered in shade so you can relax and they are a bit private so you feel like you are eating in private while really you are in this amazing garden with lots of people walking around.
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| Picnic Spot |
The ponds were stunning! My boys loved feeding the fish and the ducks (thanks nice couple that bought fish/duck food for my boys). They though it was funny to see the ducklings and the fish fight over the food.
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| Oak Tunnel |
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| My Dream Pot |
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