Another year older, hopefully a whole lot wiser too!

I turned old today! I don't feel old. But I think I must be getting old, as friends and I recall events in our life that took place 20, 25, and 30 years ago! That's when my age starts to feel old.

I enjoyed a wonderful day with my family here at home...on of my most favorite places to be! We watched General Conference, listening to our Prophet's words, and teachings from apostles and other leaders of the church! I was reminded of many important truths, and recommitted to doing better. My bestest friend, Shauna and her fam also came to have dinner with us! And to share some yummy cheesecake. I reconnected with an old friend today, and she reminded me of some important things we shared back in 1992 in Germany. It's so nice to know that 20+ years later, and I have a friend who helps me recall important things in my life. Friends and Family are priceless.

I don't have any huge things coming up this year...I haven't set any earth- shattering, cool goals. I want to work on my balance, as a wife, a mother, a therapist, a friend, and a daughter of God. I want to be kind and loving to those around me and myself. I want my husband and my sons to know how much I love them, and I want to be a good daughter.

Here's to a year filled with joy and love!

~Gretchen

Easter Braid Bread

My mother always made this Easter Braid bread when we were kids, and I decided to bake some this year to share with neighbors and delight my boys!

The recipe is pretty easy...

2 c. scalded milk

1/2 c. butter

2 Tsp. yeast (or 2 packages)

1/2 c. lukewarm water

1 c. sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1 c. mashed potatoes (soak 1/2 c instant flakes by filling cup with boiling water)

7 c. flour

1 tsp. salt

4 oz maraschino cherries

And then a cream cheese glaze.

So, here is what you do...

Add yeast to the water (if you have rapid rise yeast, you can forego this step and just add the yeast). In a saucepan, put your milk and butter and melt on low heat. Remove from heat when butter is melted. Meanwhile, add salt, sugar, potatoes and eggs to the yeast and mix in your mixer. Then add the milk/butter mixture. Make sure it is not too hot so it won't kill the yeast. Then I add the chopped cherries. Then add 3 cups flour, and beat. Gradually add the remaining flour. Do not knead. I usually spray Pam into a large mixing bowl, and then put the dough in it. I cover it  with a towel and let it rise for 1-2 hours on the warm stove top. When doubled, I divide it into two portions, and then I cut each portion into 6 pieces. I roll them out into rope like pieces between my hands. I then braid three of the pieces together. I repeat the process, making 4 braided loves. I then let it rise again another 45 minutes.  Adding the eggs is optional. I think it makes the bread look festive and it is super easy. I took uncooked eggs, and put them in a small bowl with water and food coloring to tint them lightly. My sons helped and made a couple of them look tie died. Then I placed them on the bread. Then bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. The eggs will cook while the bread bakes, and are edible.

While the bread is still warm, I make a cream cheese glaze. It is 4 oz cream cheese, softened, 2 cups powdered sugar, 3-5 Tsp. milk, and 1 tsp. almond extract (you could use vanilla too, but I prefer almond.) I also add a bit of the maraschino cherry juice to give it the pink color. Mix that all up, and spread onto the warm bread. Then I added sprinkles! It makes 4 loaves...so plenty to share with neighbors and friends!

Yummy bread that reminds me of my mom, Easter, and family! By the way, you can use this basic recipe, minus the cherries, and use the dough to make cinnamon rolls too, or orange rolls. It is moist and delicious!

Happy Easter!

Jesus Christ,
by Liz Lemon Swindle


I look forward to Easter so much each year. Not so much for the traditions of coloring the eggs, which we didn't do this year, nor for the egg hunts, but for the opportunity to reflect on the Hope that Christ brings for each of us. I am so grateful for my Savior, my elder brother, and friend. The Chief and I have spent more time the past month talking with each of the boys in depth about our Savior and what he did for each of us. We have been watching The Bible on the history channel and discussing the significance of Jesus and his life.

Jesus Christ brings joy and hope to our world. We hope you take time this weekend to reflect on his Atonement and Resurrection, and the meaning of those acts for each of us.

Happy Easter!

What do you think?

Are you adventurous enough to try a new flavor of m&m's? Here at the Skelly household, we decided to go for it, since carrot cake is a favorite for many of us, and we also love white chocolate.

Well, it was a definite hit for 3 of us, and for two of us it was a strike-out! I am in the category of the strike-out. I didn't like them at all. And McKay, who loves carrot cake was deeply disappointed. 

Yet, the other three think they are winners! So, maybe you should do a taste test at your household and see what the results are for yourself!

Sister time



Las Vegas, 2011
Mom, Suzanne, Robin, Gretchen, Erika, Ingrid, and Kari


My sister, Robin, is flying across the country as I type, along with her son, Mitchell. I'm so excited for her to come and visit. There is something just so wonderful about having a sister. I've been blessed to have 14 of them. Robin is my sister just older than me. She and I shared a lot over the years, and we both have stories to tell. Since I want her to keep my secrets (aka embarrassing moments) I will do the same and keep hers!

Hopefully, I will remember to get my camera out this week and take some fun photos of us enjoying our rare time together!
 



Heart fun

Yesterday, Intermountain Healthcare hosted a Heart Healthy Fair at Intermountain Medical Center. I had to work, and the two oldest boys were at a Boy Scout Powwow, but I encouraged the Chief and his brother (who is living with us) to go and get their free screenings. Seth, of course, had to tag along with them. It wasn't a whole lot of fun for Seth, except that they were handing out free stress balls, shaped like hearts!

 

Seth was allowed to take one for each of his brothers as well! He was thrilled to present us with a heart when he returned home. Then somehow, the boys "invented" the old game of hot potato with the heart. Our family began playing this yesterday evening, following Noah's basketball game, which they won, and we were all hyped up for some reason. We played "hot heart" for a number of rounds, and laughed and laughed. It was difficult to convince them to put the hearts down and turn in much later than their scheduled bedtime. On a positive note, today is Sunday and they can sleep in, and they all still are asleep this morning!

 

This post is just an expression of gratitude for Intermountain Healthcare, my stable employer, who provides opportunities for the community to get healthy, for my family who enjoy playing together, and for our warm home that keeps us all safe on this cold, snowy February morning!

 

Happy Heart Day this week!

Inversion, shmersion

I've lived in Utah 24 years, for the past 7 years, we've been in Salt Lake County. Noone really told me about this Inversion thing that happens every January/February! Its not really something to complain about because it is going to happen, whether I complain or not, so we've decided to not complain.

Instead, we are spending our January doing things that keep us indoors. This month alone, we have completed 4 puzzles. We are in the middle of another right now. All of us have really gotten into it, and are having so much fun, celebrating when someone finds a piece!

We have also been immersed in the Scriptures! We accepted a challenge to read the Book of Mormon in 80 days. It takes time and perservance! After 21 days, we are still on track! We have enjoyed the family time, and the discussion that has ensued.

The boys have also created a large fort in the basement! They are so creative, and it is fun to listen to them downstairs come up with ideas on how to improve the fort, as they work together!

Noah also completed everything to earn his Webelos Badge, and his Arrow of Light for Cub Scouts. He will start Boy Scouts next week! He also turns 11 next Sunday.

McKay is working on getting his Life Rank in Boy Scouts. One more merit badge to go!

So, despite the yucky, polluted air outside, we are staying warm and toasty in the sub-freezing temperatures outside.

I'm definitely looking forward to Spring though!

Good-bye to 2012

We hope you had a very Merry Christmas. Once again, we didn't send out holiday greetings. I wanted to. Unfortunately, we are in a similar situation as last year...unemployment is here again for the Chief, and every dime is very closely accounted for. So, sending cards just didn't make it on the budget this year.

I'll include the pics of my darling boys that I would have sent, had cards gone out...




Seth, our baby. He turned 7 this month! He is loving first grade. He is also getting skinny. He is a picky eater, but in a desperate attempt to get him to eat, we let him eat whatever he wants: marshmallows and wheat thins are probably his two favorite things! He love Jr. Jazz Basketball and flying his R/C Helicopter.



 

Noah will turn 11 next month. He is still our all american athlete. He played football this fall, and he is currently playing Jr. Jazz Basketball. He is a really good student. He had a traumatic experience this summer, getting attacked by a neighbor's dog. He endured many stitches after getting bit and scratched in 5 different areas of his body. He fortunately still loves dogs, but is weary of big, unknown dogs, especially rottweilers.

 

 My McKay is 13...a teenager. He got a phone for his birthday, which he pays for each month. He is way into Minecraft. He is working on his Scouts, though his mom wishes he would be a bit more dedicated with it. He is kind to his brothers, and very responsible. He surprised himself with how much he is enjoying choir in the 7th grade, though he refuses to think about singing in the Ward choir at church. He is never without his I-pod.

 

 

I'm working both jobs. It is a challenge at times, trying to juggle work, kids, chores, grocery shopping, friendships, and my newest church calling. I was asked in the October to be the President of the Relief Society in my ward, which is the local women's organization at church. It means that I've been able to get to know a lot of my neighbors a lot better, and been able to serve others, which has helped me to now focus on stressful things we are dealing with here at home.

 

The Chief has been unemployed since November 9th. He has had a few interviews, and has another coming this week. I appreciate how diligent he is in looking for work.

 

Despite the situation, we still went through with going to Arizona for Thanksgiving. We had reserved our condo down in Tucson the year prior, and we were able to go and spend the week with my sister, Heidi, and her family. It was a really fun, relaxing time for our family. Tucson is really a neat place.

 

Since September, the Chief's brother, Tom, has been living with us. The Chief loves having his brother here. I'm really outnumbered now by testosterone! Its a good thing I enjoy sports too!

 

We are hopeful that this coming year will see new employment in the near future. We also hope that we will be able to travel to NY as a family. It has been too long since the boys have spent time at their grandparents' home with my siblings there at home. I miss visiting home too!

 

If I don't write very often, it is because I'm going, going, going. I figure that like learning to play the piano, writing a blog regularly will happen sometime!

 

In the meantime, from our family to yours...

Happy New Year!

May 2013 be a year filled with love, joy, and good health!

 

Love,

Gretchen and the Skelly family

 

Happy Fall!

Somehow, I allowed the summer to pass by without taking the time to finish telling our Alaskan story. After a wonderful June, the Chief and I both struggled in July, me saying good-bye to my 94 year old Grandma Boscher on July 9th, and the Chief losing his older sister, Tamara, unexpectedly, in Oklahoma on July 8th. While, I was flying to NY with Seth in attempt to arrive before she passed away, Scott received the news that his sister had passed away alone in a hospital. He and the two older boys got in the car and drove the long drive there, where he met up with his niece, Kandace, and his older sister, Kim. They took care of things there, and then they made the long drive home. Meanwhile, I arrived in NY in time to go to the hospice and see many of my aunts and uncles, cousins, and my sweet Grandmother. She opened her eyes, and acknowledged that I was there, letting me know that she loves me. And I was able to let her know that I love her too. It was a bittersweet trip home. I was reminded again how much family means to me, and so grateful that I was able to be with my parents and a number of my siblings. Once home, August arrived, and our family enjoyed being together again, enjoying the last days of summer. We started football again with Noah, with the Chief signing on as one of the assistant coaches. Our lives revolved around football practice. It was a happy time. Now, my favorite season has arrived. Autumn...crisp air, cooling temperatures, changing leaves, pumpkins, apples, Halloween, and Thanksgiving! They are upon us, and I am so happy!

Visiting the 49th State, Part 1

Alaska was everything that we had hoped it would be. Here is my travel log.

Let the adventure begin

The Chief and I left SLC at 9 a.m. and flew to Seattle. At the airport, our luggage was the first to come down the ramp! When does that ever happen? We took it as a positive omen for the trip! We then walked over to the Central Link Light Rail, where we bought our tickets for $2.25 each and rode to Pioneer Square in downtown Seattle. It was so easy, and so much cheaper than a taxi. On the light rail, we met Megan, who is a teacher from South Carolina. She was also going on a cruise, except she was going to work on a Holland America ship for 4 weeks, and work with the their kids' program. She was alone, meeting friends later in the day, so we invited her to hang with us as we went to lunch and to the Underground Seattle tour, which she had planned to do too. We got off the light rail, walked to our hotel (the Best Western at Pioneer Square) and checked in and dropped off our bags, and then grabbed lunch. I had a panina and it was so yummy! We then enjoyed the Underground Seattle Tour, which we both found really fun and interesting. We then said good-bye to Megan, and the Chief and I went back to the hotel to get a sweater as it was getting chilly, but no raindrops! The Chief was hungry again, and wanted to get a hot dog from a street vendor. There in Seattle, they serve them with cream cheese, and the Chief wanted the whole Seattle experience, so he was game! I took a bite too and it was actually really tasty! We then hopped on a city free bus and headed down to Pike's Market. It is such a fun place to visit! We loved watching the fish tasting, and couldn't refrain from buying a juicy pear from a vendor. We also bought a bouquet of flowers, which we gave to our friends, Doug and Mark. We decided to walk back to the hotel (about a 20 minute walk).

Then, we rested briefly and then Doug and Mark came and picked us up. They gave us a short tour of Seattle by car, and then we went to a nice dinner on the water. I can't remember the name because I was so happy to be visiting with Doug and Mark again. Doug is one of my oldest friends from BYU, and we don't get to see one another very often, but when we do, we are able to pick up just where we left off. After a yummy dinner of fish of course, the evening came to an end all too soon, and we were back at the hotel! We had an early wake up call!





Doug, Gretch, and Scott

Seattle, 2012

We caught a cab at 6:15 a.m. in order to get to the Amtrak station. From there, we boarded our train and rode to Vancouver, Canada. It was a 4 hour ride, and it was beautiful. We saw beautiful scenery, and even glimpsed some bald eagles. We arrived there, and were able to go through customs in about 2 minutes! We then got another cab, who took us the 10 minutes to Canada Place, where we met our Celebrity Cruise ship.

Everyone was so nice, and helpful! We were just soaking it all in! We felt like we were on a honeymoon, except with left our three kiddos at home!



We were on the ship within 30 minutes of arriving at Canada Place. We were overwhelmed with how big it was, despite it being a somewhat moderate size cruise ship. We found our stateroom, on the 2nd deck, and we were pleasantly surprised by how nice it was. Then we set off to explore the ship. We joined a ship tour, but about 20 minutes into it, we decided to ditch it as there were so many people trying to go on the tour, we couldn't hear the guide. We figured we would be able to disclover the place on our own, which we were able to do through the week on the ship. We decided to go up to the buffet on the 10th deck and have our first meal on the ship. I wasn't super impressed, but decided to forego judgment.



That first day was so exciting! The weather was beautiful, and we enjoyed being together. We laughed, we were silly, and we fell in love all over again!  That night, we ate in the dining room. We had chosen the Select Dining, which meant we could eat whenever we wished, and we would rotate our table each night. The Chief and I love to meet new people, and figured we would be able to meet lots of new people each night. It was something that we both enjoyed very much as we were successful 5/6 nights of meeting interesting and kind people. One night we struck out, but it wasn't terrible.

The dining room food was generally really good. I had fish almost every night, and I loved it! I attempted to eat new food, although I could not go so far as to order the fried frog legs, like the Chief did. I had a nibble, and it wasn't bad. Just couldn't get over the idea of it!



Frog Legs

We went to the show almost every night and really enjoyed them! The staff were so helpful and polite. The crowd was generally older...maybe 70 years old on average. But we didn't mind...they were kind and interesting to talk with.



The second day was the only day that it was rainy. It was also the day we went through the Inside Passage. It was so beautiful and green! We spent a lot of time up on the deck, enjoying the scenery. The next day, we arrived in Ketchikan. We had not planned any excursions there. It was still rainy...more drizzly really. That morning was the only day we ate in the Main Dining room for breakfast. Then I went and had a massage, that I had won on the first day on the ship. It was a nice way to start the day. It was also the only hour of the whole 9 days we were gone that the Chief and I spent apart. We loved being together and finding things to do. After the massage, we got off the ship, and wandered around Ketchikan. We went in and out of shops, and just enjoyed this little town.

The next day, we arrived in Icy Point Strait. Here, we had planned to go fishing with Captain Eric. It was a beautiful morning, with the sun shining. Captain Eric told us it had rained for a whole week, and this was the first beautiful day. We met up with another couple, who had also reserved the fishing trip, and off the 5 of us went. It was amazing to be on the water. I didn't even need my jacket. It was about 70 degrees that morning. As we approached our fishing spot, Captain Eric pointed out a bear on the shore. It was far enough away that we couldn't make out the details, but could see him moving about! Then we put the anchor down, and Captain Eric got us set to fish for Halibut. Within minutes of the Chief getting his line down, he had a bite. He slowly pulled him in and he had a 28 lb. Halibut! It was so exhilerating! We were all so excited! The other couple were also able to catch a few fish, but none very big, so they kept throwing them back. Finally, near the end, she caught a smaller halibut that she kept! I didn't get any, but still had a great day!



We could move to Alaska in a heartbeat!



Getting that fish!



Back on the ship, we enjoyed a formal night in the Dining Room. It was interesting to see what different people thought of for "formal night". There were some women in their 60s, who wore what looked like prom dresses that teens would wear to their prom. Thankfully, there were only two of these women that we saw dressed this way! It was fun to dress up and be on a "fancy date."

Formal Night

So, after Icy Point Strait, we then headed to Juneau. This was definitely my favorite place we visited. Look for Part 2 for more on our cruise to Alaska!