Pioneer Day 2017

July 24

Today commemorates the day the first Mormon Pioneers arrived in the 

Salt Lake Valley 170 years ago. 

I am grateful to stand on the shoulders of their sacrifices and dedication, 

the depth of which I cannot fully comprehend.

President Gordon B Hinkley said the following,

"Whether you were born among the posterity of the pioneers, 

or whether you were baptized yesterday, 

each is the beneficiary of their undertaking."

My great aunt, Minerva Teichert, depicted the pioneer journey in many of her paintings.

These are a few of my favorites.

 "Not Alone"

I know that angels carried these Saints through dark and desperate circumstances.

 "Handcart Pioneers"

This is my favorite and hangs in my home.

The strength of this pioneer woman speaks to me. 

She is throwing her bonnet in the air but it is cut of in the painting.

"Covered Wagon Pioneers"

A Day of Fun

Pioneer Day Fun

We planned and hosted an impromptu Pioneer Day Celebration.

We made Homemade Ice Cream and had people bring their

favorite toppings. We served Brownies and Homemade

Whole Wheat Bread with Butter and Honey Butter.

Everyone did more swimming than eating. The moment

the party was to end, one of the infamous Florida Afternoon

thunderstorms came...it was wicked with all the thunder and

lighting close by. Thank goodness it did not hamper our

afternoon of fun....

Alexis, Gigi, and Caroline with Haley in the background

Enjoying the Homemade Ice Cream

Skylee, Taylor, Alison, and Megan

Jaimie and one of our favorite pool toys...The Turtle
More Yummy Ice Cream Shots..
Taylor, Alison, and Megan

Taylor

Kelly and Lacey

Gigi and Caroline

( I will say this until Caroline graduates...

I cannot BELIEVE for one minute that she is going to High

School this year. She will be in College and I will still have

her in Middle School!!!)

Lacey, Haley, and Kelly

Haley

Kelly and Gigi

A great afternoon with wonderful company! Not how the early Pioneers would have envisioned we celebrate their arrival in the Salt Lake Valley.

Faith In Every Footstep

Pioneer Day

Today, July 24, 2008, Commemorates the

161st Anniversary of the Mormon Pioneers arriving in

The Salt Lake Valley

This is a day near and dear to my heart.

How grateful I am for Pioneers of yesterday and today who love the Gospel of Jesus Christ with all their hearts.I am in awe and reverence those who sacrificed every comfort and even life itself to ensure I enjoy the blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

How grateful I am to rub shoulders daily with Modern Day Pioneers. Those who are the first in their family to embrace The Gospel of Jesus Christ and be Baptized. Their strength, courage, and vibrancy build me up and help me want to be a better person. There are many, many first generation members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints I am blessed to call dear friends, one I even call my husband. Their dedication to living the Gospel daily has been a motivation for me to become a better person.

Have you ever been around people who just make you want to be the best you can be? That is how I feel when I am around Modern Day Pioneers, also referred to as Converts To The Church. They are just amazing people to me. I think that is how it would feel to be around the early Pioneers and to feel of their love and commitment to the Gospel.

As President Gordon B Hinkley taught at the 150th Pioneer Day Commemoration....Whether you were baptized yesterday or come from a a long line on Pioneer Ancestry, The Pioneer Heritage is yours. It is for all. We ALL have the Gospel because of their willingness to find the place they could settle and worship in peace.

In a previous post, I wrote that I never fly over the Rocky Mountains without crying. It is true. As I fly in and out of Salt Lake City a few times per year, I contemplate the miracle of weak, tired, and ill-equipped wagons and handcarts crossing over the mountains. They only could have made it with the help of Angels. I know Angels accompanied the Mormon Pioneers at each step of their journey. I stare at the jagged peaks and straight up and down inclines and marvel at every step taken to reach The Salt Lake Valley. Yes, I cry....tears of gratitude and reverence.

Amid the celebrations, parades, and fun food today.... Stop for a moment and think about the Legacy of The Mormon Pioneers. It is yours, it is mine.

They changed the world, literally, One Step At A Time.

How are you celebrating this day? Do you have any traditions surrounding Pioneer Day?

Ice Cream In A Bag

Summer And Ice Cream

They Go Together!

Specifically....Homemade Ice Cream!

Homemade Ice Cream is always on my brain in July.

If we don't make it for July 4th, there is July 24th

(Pioneer Day, if you are Mormon, like me)

One fun and EASY way to make Homemade Ice Cream is in

Ziploc Bags. Your kids will love this. Trust me it really works.

I did this with Megan's entire school class in May and they loved it.

Click HERE for directions.

Meanwhile, I am searching for my stand-by Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe. It uses no eggs and does not require cooking. Any suggestions????? The recipe I think it is, I have posted below, but if you have one similar...share it, please.

Philadelphia Ice Cream
2 C. Heavy Cream
1 C. Whole Milk
3/4 C. Sugar
2 tsp. Real Vanilla
Do you have a recipe with similar ingredients? No eggs, no cooking? Just simple?