Raisin the Roof with Gram

Grandmas alway have a special recipe that only they know how to make...

Lucky for me Grandma Lila let me come spend a day learning how to make her infamous raisin filled cookies.

These are famous. And a lot of you non-raisin lovers are probably thinking EWWW but before you stick your tongue out in disgust, you'll have to try one!

These are heaven sent. Made for the most elite. 

I remember these cookies for as long as I can remember, a staple at all football games! Random strangers usually ask if there is a spare for them to try--and gram being the saint she is gives them away!

Grandma Lila made a handwritten notebook of all her famous recipes and gave one to each grandchild. The book is gold and worth more than anything I own.

If you asked me what was something I'd grab if the house started on fire...this would be one of the items.

I absolutely adore the handwritten recipes.

Spending time with grandparents is important and sometimes we take it for granted... Just as quickly as we are aging, so are they.

Making cookies isn't the only thing we can learn from our grandparents.

They help you understand the simple things.

Grandparents may not know the ins and outs of the newest technology, but they do know what is most important in life. They love you with everything they've got.

And while we make cookies...grandpa is out in his yard chumming bees. You think I'm kidding. He's literally chumming bees.

"Autumn, come here and let me show you something."

*I walk outside*

"Now watch this. I will poor this on the flowers and in an hour you will see a ton of bees all over the place!"

*I look over to see grandma looking out the window at us shaking her head and laughing at the sweet man she married*

Grandpa continues to take me around the house to show me his greens.

The first time I ever tried a cherry tomato was at Grandma Lila's house. I wasn't too sure of it before I took a bite. I squeezed the little sucker and tiny seeds shot into my eye--great first experience with tomatoes. I love tomatoes now.

And wouldn't you know it, grandpa has been trying a new thing and growing cantaloupe this year.

We went back over to the "chumming bee section." Sure enough, bees all over were coming to get honey. It was no longer grandma laughing and shaking her head, but me as well.

(look at his butt! ha! oh wait there isn't one there)

I laughed as I told grandpa I was surprised it really worked. He looked back at me and smiled and said, "I'm their best friend and I know what they need."

Yes, grandpa. You truly are a best friend and know exactly what I need.


"What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance. They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life. And most importantly, cookies."
<<<Rudy Giuliani>>>

Summertime Sweets

There is always that one summer that changes you…

Summer 2015 was mine.

I believe there is no such thing as coincidence. You don’t meet people randomly. You don’t experience things the same way everyone else does. “No one is you and that is your power.”

I can say without a doubt this has been the best summer of my life.

Earlier this spring I was looking at options for internships. For a while I didn’t have one thing lined up or planned. When making big decisions, my dad is the first person I go to. He knows me better than myself. That’s what dads are there for.

He gave me the best advice. Ever. Straight from his mouth about me finding an internship.

“Don’t worry, even a blind squirrel gets a nut sometimes.”

And I did—I found two options. One would take me to Louisville, Kentucky and the other to Park City, Utah. Two nuts, no pun intended.

Both were good options, but one was a great option and has been the best decision in my life thus far—Park City.

Going into the internship I knew there would be no pay and that would be a risk I’d have to take. With my eyes forward on the future, and still forward, I knew and know this internship will open doors and opportunities for me down the road.

Interning for the Utah Olympic Park has given me a love so deep for the outdoor and tourism industry in Utah. It’s my dream career—wherever that will take me. The Olympic Park has given me hands on experience in a little of everything concerning marketing and public relations. I have met incredible people at the internship.

(chipmunk cheeks for days on the bobsled)

Sandy Chio and Melanie Welch, my bosses, are the head honchos for marketing for the Utah Olympic Park. They are an inspiration and example to me—both have full-time careers while being mothers to kids under the age of five. They work hard and know what works. We’ve become good friends and we’ve talked about them coming to ski on my home turf at Beaver Mountain! I’m stoked.

I have met so many incredible people here in Park City. Honest and genuine people with hearts of gold. I have met friends who will last a lifetime here. I LOVE YOU ALL!

 What a difference they have made in my life. I mean that. Every single one of them has helped me learn more about life and made my time here better than I could have imagined.

Every single person has something to offer. Remember that. Every. Single. Person.

Every single person and moment in my life has led me up to this point, and like I said before, nothing is a coincidence. The outdoors and skiing have been a part of every big and little aspect in my life.

The outdoors and skiing started way before my time. For my 22 years of being alive, and I’m sure many more to come, skiing has shaped my life.

My great-grandpa Harry Seeholzer and his wife, my great-grandma Luella, had big dreams of bringing skiing to Logan Canyon. A big dream that started small and has impacted so many in a big way. Beaver Mountain—1949. You might say he was a ski pioneer.

Flash forward to 2014 and he was inducted into the Intermountain Ski Hall of Fame for just that, a ski pioneer. This experience ultimately led me to the right people, at the right time to find the internship at the Utah Olympic Park.

My grandpa Loyal defended our country as part of the 10^th Mountain Division in WWII. These young men were soldiers on skis (he's the one in front).

I was skiing before I could walk (in the backpack on my dad’s shoulders).

So many memories skiing at Beaver Mountain with aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. A lot of my best memories come from moments skiing.

Laughter, powder, sunshine, matching skis with friends, crashing and falling, freezing cold, Diet Coke, snack shack, boys, and tears.

March 22, 2008 was another moment in time when skiing changed my life. We lost one of the most beautiful souls I have ever met. Her vivid red hair, contagious laughter, sense of adventure, love of skiing, and memory will always be there. I know she is close by telling me to “Go big or go home” with my dreams and skiing.

The outdoor and ski industry is something that needs to be shared. It brings so much happiness and history to our friends, family, and state. I’m loud and proud of the skiing in Utah. It’s given me a lot of who I am.

I’ve learned so much about myself this summer—who I am and where I’m going. For that I will forever be grateful to the Utah Olympic Park, Park City, and the wonderful people who welcomed me with open arms. Your kindness has not gone unnoticed.

God has a hand in everything we do and has laid out a map for each of us. This summer has given me a unique opportunity to reflect just how much His hand has been in my life.

Thank you Park City—I fully expect to see you soon!

"Hope, but never expect. Look forward, but never wait."

Because....

Because sometimes the thing you really need is to spend some quality time laughing your butt off with a friend (of 15 years) and chill in a mountain lake with a $3 Walmart tube.

Introducing my most favorite place in the entire world: 

<<BLOOMINGTON LAKE>>

I'm 100% positive it's my favorite place. I haven't seen the whole world, yet, but this place will always be my favorite. Can't help it. 

<< And thank you to the good people who finally got signs up to direct you to the lake because hello? Directionally challenged over here even though I've been a thousand and one times. >>

Sid and I woke up, picked up Old Gristmill sandwiches and took off for the 2-hour drive. 

Definition of mountain class: This photo

Ask us how doggy paddling back went. It didn't.

Okay, cutest ever. We have both had our Keen's since 6th grade! We laughed and joked about all the adventures/places these shoes have been. And that our feet haven't grown since then.

How great it is you can just jump in your car and go anywhere. Anywhere! My car is partial to places like this.

Of course we went off the rope swing. Sorry no pics to prove it. But I will tell you Sid and I showed up some teenage boy who thought he was all macho till it was his turn to swing. I was yelling at him from the lake to commit. (still laughing out loud about it as I type this)

It was a FAB weekend. If I ever become full blown hippie and decide to live one with nature--you can find me here. God took extra time making this place...and I couldn't be more grateful!

<< I don't know where I'm going but I promise it won't be boring. >>