Grandma E

The morning air was crisp and precisely sharpened to skier's blue.

Beaver Mountain was calling...as it often does for so many of us.

But today, Beaver Mountain would be hosting Grandma Elaine Seeholzer. 86 years young...and I mean young!

Jocie's very good friend Autumn sent a text out Friday night "Mama Lisa! My grandma just decided she wanted to go skiing tomorrow!" You know I had to bring the camera...first time I've ever had it on the mountain. But definitely not going to be the last!

I think by "decided", Autumn meant she had finally talked "The Big E" (as she so fondly calls her) into going...convincing her that it would be sunny and warm and wonderful.

Grandma E's entourage included granddaughter Autumn, daughter Holly, son Jeff, and daughter Heidi. 

Grandma E jumped onto the Face Lift like she probably has a billion times before!

Autumn...oh sweet Autumn...very much like a daughter to Dean and I! In Jocie's absence, we wrap ourselves around each other to squeeze a little bit of Jocie's spirit into each of our lives.

Grandma E took a minute or two at the top to chat and then before we knew it...

she was off! And she blew me away with her awesomeness!

Elaine started skiing when she was in college. She enrolled in a winter snow skiing class that would meet and ski down Old Main Hill at Utah State University.

Apparently Elaine fell in love with skiing almost as fast as she fell in love with her ski instructor...the handsome Loyal Seeholzer.

The couple were later married and soon found their lives busy raising five children turning them into ski bums!

Grandma Elaine's father-in-law Harold Seeholzer was the dreamer behind Beaver Mountain and the catalyst for success and the family owned ski resorts rich history.

Growing up, Autumn remembers skiing every Saturday with Grandma Elaine. Rather rambunctious...her large pack of cousins could always be seen darting among the runs at The Beav.

     

Elaine and Loyal's kids skied on this mountain almost from the time they could walk...and continue to still ski here today.

        

Jeff started working as a "liftie" helping skiers on and off the lift when he was just a little boy...around 9 years old.

The kids all competed in ski racing throughout their youth. Skiing was in their genes you might say.

It was about this point on the mountain that Jeff told his Mom NOT to take the Rock Garden run to get to the lift, but rather to go around the other way.

Grandma Elaine exclaimed "Don't tell me where I can and can't ski, I'll go where I want!"


And she did...all day long!


My kind of Grandma...one with spunk and attitude!

Autumn has an adorable relationship with her grandmother. She often visits and sorts through Grandma E's things in search of that perfect ugly Christmas sweater or some other vintage find.

Skiing on the same slopes that her dad, her grandmother, and her great grandfather skied is a pretty cool thing I would have to say.

I'm not sure what is happening here...but I think Autumn and Elaine are flirting with the lifty!


I can only imagine what it must feel like to ski with your 86 year old mother. But I know for certain Heidi and Holly were beaming with pride. Giant smiles were actually on all of our faces.

On the second run we took Elaine over to Harry's Dream...the chairlift named after the resorts founder and Elaine's father-in-law. Just in front of the threesome...Dean and I overhead bouts of laughter and giggles that echoed through the tall snow-covered trees as they made their way to the top.

A small balance check leaving the chair...


but hey, I often do that and I'm not even close to 86! And truth be told...it looks from this photo that it was most likely Grandma E steadying her son Jeff!

Autumn pushing her over...wanted a photo of Grandma Elaine "this red-head"


with "that red-head", at her friend Jocie's monument.

I can't help but feel a tremendous amount of spirit and energy at this gorgeous spot on top... 

streaming down from above. I believe  Loyal, Jocie, and even Harold  are thrilled that Grandma Elaine, Autumn, and the rest of us have found our way up to their mountain to ski together today.

And that is one of the reasons why we come here...memories, both past and future lie in every snowflake that lands at Beaver Mountain.

    
Generations of skiers have played at this place...with many more to come!

Grandma Elaine you are one classy lady. From your bright red lipstick to your lifetime season pass hanging from your one-piece ski suit.

It was truly an honor and a pleasure to be part of your big day at Beaver Mountain.

Legendary and inspirational...I plan on coming here with my children and grandchildren when I am 86 years young too!

Play Like You Mean It

Today is my hubby's birthday. Somewhere in the middle of the Canadian nowhere, he is having the time of his life on a cat skiing trip with a bunch of guys! While there are a million things I love about Dean, his energy and enthusiasm for life has to be right at the top.

And there is nowhere Dean has more fun than on top of snow covered mountains with a pair of skis attached to his feet! Like a teenager, he caresses his way through bumps, powder, corduroy, whatever the mountain dishes out. He passed on his love for skiing to every one of our children...especially The Red One. Dean teaches us all how to play like you mean it!

           
                   Sundance 2013 HDTV from Lisa Garlick on Vimeo.

And lucky for The Garlick Press he creates amazing videos to document the fun. Sundance Ski Resort frosted with feet and more feet of fresh fluffy white stuff a few days ago was the setting for his latest ski video. I hope you enjoy it!

Happy Birthday Dean...I'm so pleased to be sharing this life together with you.

Filthy Fifty #4 Friday-Pie-Day

Filthy Fifty #4 is all for you, my faithful readers. Based on your requests for my recipes...once a month I'm hosting Friday-Pie-Day. Although Dean suggested I have Pie-Day-Every-Friday. The plan is to share 10 pie recipes with you throughout the year. I gave myself December off because I already made TOO many pies during that month.


First up...Coconut Creme Pie, oh yes! I have been making this pie for a bazillion years. You are going to love it.


Combine in a medium saucepan
3/4 cup sugar
3 Tbl Cornstarch
1/4 tsp salt


Gradually stir in 2 cups milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened.

Now you can use 1% or 2% milk if that's all you have. But if you REALLY want a velvety delicious pie then you should make a trip to the grocery store and buy yourself some good old Vitamin D whole milk. You really can taste the difference.


Beat 3 egg yolks until thick and pale.

See the color of those eggs...nearly orange. Those are farm fresh eggs supplied by Mother Clucker, Red, and Nuggett in the Garlick Press coop.

Gradually stir about 1/4 of the hot milk mixture into yolks tempering the eggs; add to remaining hot milk mixture...stirring constantly. Cook over medium heat 5 minutes, stirring constantly. And I mean CONSTANTLY. This is important unless you like chunks of burnt custard in your pie.

Remove from heat.

Stir in 1 cup coconut, 2 Tbl butter, and 1 tsp vanilla.


Spoon into 1 baked 9 inch pie crust. Don't worry I'll cover pie crusts in one of my next posts.

Beat 3 egg whites, 1/4 tsp cream of tartar, and 1/2 tsp vanilla at high speed of an electric mixer until foamy.


Gradually add 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbl sugar, a tablespoon at a time, beating mixture until stiff peaks form and sugar dissolves (2-4 min).

Spread meringue over hot filling, sealing to edge of pastry crust. Sprinkle with coconut.

Bake at 325 degrees for 25-28 minutes or until golden. Cool on a wire rack.

Now if you'll excuse me...Izzy and I have a slice of pie to eat but we do hope you enjoy this recipe!

Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed

Knock knock!

Who's there?

Ada!

Ada who?

Ada lot for breakfast!

That's who!

Poor poor Izzy...no one ever gives Izzy any breakfast.

A quick sleepover trip at Olivia and Henry's house turns into an early morning of fun and giggles before heading out to ski the two feet of fresh fluffy white Utah powder.

The more I see these two together, the more they remind me of each other. Cass even calls little Henry "Bud" just like I have always called Chet.

And every time I hang out with these little people, I have to pinch myself to remind me that I'm not dreaming and really am Nana to two beautiful grandchildren. I am truly blessed!

Holiday Images

Admittedly, I let the holidays just slip away, barely posting any photos. I took a few...but just a few. I was in that place where I sometimes go.

Today I opened up my Lightroom catalog and began peering through the few images I did take during the holidays.

What I found made me smile and remember...

The cookie exchange party that was so incredibly beautiful.

I felt as if I had stepped into a Martha Stewart scene

and was invited to stay for lunch.

It was easy to remember the teenage boys who waited at our door, eager to devour those seven dozen cookies.

I remember how absolutely perfect I wanted this gift to be.


How I fretted and planned and worried about it more than all my other Christmas gifts combined.

I remember her grace and overwhelming gratitude...

that brought puddles of tears for both of us.

I remember my friend Leisa modeling her "Birthday in a Box" gift...how sweet is that!

I remember how this little one couldn't wait to meet Santa. Though just two years old, Olivia was brave and confident...she snuggled right up to the chubby old elf.


I remember when Henry and Santa looked into each other's eyes and loved what they saw.

Of course, the annual Children's nativity was an image not to be forgotten. Sweet little Piper played all the animals in the scene one by one. And Grandpa Owen just beamed with pride watching his great grandchildren reenact the familiar story.

Dorothy the puppy had a hard time waiting for Christmas...she kept finding her hidden present under the tree and couldn't help herself from playing with it. We eventually gave in and let the clever pooch have her gift early.

And then when she thought no one was looking...Olivia sneaked a treat for Sami dog.

These images of Christmas 2012 are priceless.

Twenty years from now, we are going to laugh uproariously at Chet's Beard-all.


We will likely remark at how much Henry looked like his Mama in those days

and giggle at all the candy Olivia consumed Christmas Eve.

But most of all these images of Christmas 2012 remind me that every single photo I take has a story to tell. Innocent, raw, emotional, joyous stories lay just ahead. And that's why I climb out of that place I sometimes go...and am instantly drawn to my camera.

Happy New Year to you all...may you have a wonderful and blessed 2013.