Fathers and Sons for Mikey, Dad and Lilly

Michael invited Dad to join him for his ward's Fathers and Sons campout held this weekend at the Blackhawk campground in Payson Canyon. Somewhat reluctant at first, because of the distance and his still healing foot, Dad made the decision to go since it is likely one of the last few times he will get to spend with his youngest son until we return from our mission. Michael barbequed pork chops and fixed his world-famous Dutch oven potatoes for dinner . . . the High Priests in his ward fixed hotcakes, sausage and eggs for breakfast. The evening included a short program and a list of 21 questions for fathers and sons to discuss together.

Lilly went along, too . . . and although she cried in the night for her mommy, this beautiful and precocious little 3-year-old enjoyed the perfect weather, the good food, and the chance to make happy memories with her Daddy and Grandpa Ed in the great outdoors.

It's Natl. Sneak Zucchini onto Your Neighbors Front Porch Night

Today is National Sneak Zucchini Onto Your Neighbors Front Porch Night! It is also the day I spent five hours working in my backyard garden. In its second year, my garden is still “a work in progress,” but I had more success than last year when it was an “experiment.” The lessons I learned are these . . . it’s too hot here in St. George to grow some things, like green beans, artichoke and peppers (red or yellow). But what grows really well here in our triple digit summers are tomatoes, pumpkins, and zucchini (strawberries also do well before it gets hot . . . and hopefully, after it cools down!)

In the spirit of the holiday, I was going to sneak zucchini onto Ralph and Pam Bingham’s front porch, but since Kaytee gifted me with a new cookbook for my birthday called “Zucchini Houdini” maybe I’ll use it to make Spicy Zucchini Potato Soup (pg. 20), Zucchini Sausage Stew (pg. 26), Zucchini Fries (pg. 44), Zucchini Enchiladas (pg. 69), Zucchini Pancakes (pg. 85) or Zucchini Coconut Carrot Muffins (pg 96).

Gardening is such fun (I think Michael and Kris will back me on this opinion) . . . and in our current economy, it is reassuring to know the 3-foot strip of dirt which runs the entire parameter of my backyard is also providing food to feed me and my family.

After about five morning hours in the garden, dark clouds began to gather. By mid-afternoon, the sky opened up and we got a real gully-washer which dropped nearly an inch of much needed rain in about an hour and produced a spectacular Noah-and-the-Ark kind of rainbow over our desert community!