That's a Wrap

Just a couple months ago on Thanksgiving morning, the family was busy making pies, peeling potatoes and basting turkeys; when I heard the familiar text message sound from my phone. "KSL.com page Two" was all she sent. KSL is an NBC-affiliated television/media station located in Salt Lake City, Utah. We dropped everything to read this KSL article written by my talented friend Michelle. It was such a joy to read words written about Jocie, especially on Thanksgiving Day. My heart burst with gratitude for Jocie's life and legacy. 


But you can just imagine our surprise and (dare I say) fright when I received a phone call from KSL just a few weeks ago. Would Dean and I consent to our story being brought to video form and broadcast on KSL's Studio 5 program? I had been out shopping and somehow during the phone call I exited the store, slipped on ice, fell, dropped my phone cracking the screen, and said yes!

The first Monday in February brought a senior KSL producer and her video technician to our home. Irinna had previously sent a list of questions that she would be asking us during the interview process to help us prepare. Many of the questions were difficult, extremely difficult...tell us about Jocie, how does she complete your family. Tell us about the details of the day of the accident. Tell us what it is like to lose a child...then and now. 

What is it like to lose a child...there isn't a single day that I wish we were still innocent of this knowledge. Unless you find yourself in this horrible, awful, no good club...it's nearly impossible to know. And it crushes me every time I hear of another parent losing their own innocence. With tears in her eyes, Irinna listened to the details she graciously pushed us to recount. This would be the first time Dean and I had openly discussed together...what exactly happened that March day nearly five years ago.

After an exhausting interview filming session, we breathed a sigh of relief and Thompson the video guru began shooting various footage in my craft room,

and Jiggystick World Headquarters.

This was the easy part, talking about jiggysticks and actually making a batch while the video was recording.

After about 2 1/2 hours they packed up their gear and left. Irinna asked if we considered ourselves an inspiration. We both emphatically exclaimed "NO"! However, if because of this interview there is one person somewhere, engaged in fighting a similar battle...watching us breath, stand upright, smile, and even laugh...then this segment will be absolutely worth it.

While I know our little video surely is not a blockbuster with a cliffhanger ending. If after all the footage is edited and most of it on the cutting room floor, you would like to watch us...the segment is scheduled to air on KSL Studio 5 Wednesday Feb 20th, sometime between 11:00 am and 12:00 noon (mountain standard time). You can click on the "Watch It Live" button on their site and watch it from KSL Studio 5's website if you don't live within KSL's broadcast range to watch it on TV.

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!