Swiss Days and Scones

 

I grew up nestled beneath the majesty of Mount Timpanogos in the Wasatch Mountains. My father, grew up on the other side of that same mountain in a little farming town called Midway.  As a little girl we would spend weekends taking the 30 minute drive up the canyon to visit family and friends.  My dad would tell stories of the canyon, small towns, and the Legend of Timpanogos to help pass the "loooong" drive through the beautiful waterfall filled canyon. 


Every Labor Day Weekend, however, we'd make the trip for something special - Midway Swiss Days.


My maiden name is "Probst" - an unmistakable Swiss name.  The Probst's along with a handful of other Swiss families settled in the Heber Valley more than 125 years ago.  Swiss Days is a way to pay homage to their Swiss heritage.

I have such fond memories of Swiss Days.  The yodelers in Lederhosen.  The sound of the Alphorn in the parade. And, spending hours in the tennis courts filled with kids games and prizes.

However, the one thing that stands out the most to me are the Swiss Bratzeli's and Scones. It's worth making the trip, searching for a parking spot, and fighting the crowds for these two items ALONE!

Since I couldn't be in Midway for Swiss Days this year, I figured I'd make up a batch of Utah Scones to celebrate here in Texas.

Utah Scones/Swiss Taco

• First start with your favorite basic bread recipe (here's one to get you started). 
• Roll out dough, cut or shape and fry in vegetable oil until golden on both sides.
• Serve with honey-butter and cinnamon/sugar.  So good!

In addition to the food and entertainment, the town square is filled to the brim with booths loaded with charming merchandise. I haven't been to Swiss Days for a couple of years now, but I thought I'd include a few pictures of some of the booths and merchandise from my last visit.

This is my cute dad standing by the white gazebo in the middle of town square. The bulk of the entertainment is performed in this little gazebo.  It was originally built on wheels for my grandfather's band - The Midway Swiss Band - and for years they would play as the gazebo was pulled in the Swiss Days Parade.

There is never a shortage of beautifully handcrafted items.  This booth was selling tutu's wrapped like cotton candy.

Maybe, hopefully, next year we will make it home for a visit. It's been so hot in Texas. I'm so longing for a reprieve from the heat and humidity. I'll admit I'm homesick for that cool breeze blowing out of the canyon, the soft green grass between my toes, and a chance to see a few fall leaves signaling autumn is at the doorstep. I can't wait to get a hot scone and share some memories with family while we enjoy a little of our Swiss heritage amongst the madness of the crowds and crafts.

If you ever find yourself in Utah over Labor Day weekend - head to Swiss Days, you'll love it.

Giraffe Taggie Toy

While thumbing through some pictures, I found this little gem:



I made this little taggie giraffe for a friend's baby shower a few months ago.  I fully intended to make one for my baby at the same time.  But, of course, I didn't.  I wish I had.  He would have LOVED it, he would STILL love it.

Since my sewing machines, fabric, and every other crafty item I own is in storage right now - maybe this is a good excuse to finally get a new sewing machine.

Any suggestions? What kind of machine do you have? Do you like it?

Simple Salt Dough

It's HOT.

It's so hot it's too hot to go outside.

In fact, it's so hot it might as well be winter. 

We've made attempts to play outside. But, even the kids are miserable being out in this heat.

So, we play inside which forces me to find creative ways to keep two little people happy.

Today we played with Salt Dough. The kids LOVE it and it keeps them occupied for a little longer than some of their other activities.

Here's the recipe:

 Stay cool, and have a great summer!

Share More, Share Often, and Inspire

You may not know, but I am a Family History NUT.  I love it.  I find that the more I search, learn, read about, etc. the more I want to scour those resources available to me to find MORE!

I even keep two simple family blogs (one for each side) where I add pictures, stories, histories, or whatever I can get my hands on.  You see, family history is so much more than collecting names and dates to add to a chart.  It's about stories, and individuals.  It's amazing how their lives become so much a part of your own when you take the time to piece together their stories.

In my life, I've been blessed with some amazingly talented friends. None more so than my friend Crista a professional genealogist and Ancestry.com's "Barefoot Genealogist."  I've been lucky enough to spend time learning invaluable insights from her.  When I get the chance to see her, our conversations always turn to genealogy.  She's helped fan that flame with new ideas - and if you've done any family history, you know that "flame" I'm talking about.

She recently wrote a short article for Ancestry.com called "Seven Reasons To Share Your Family History" It's a quick read and may even give you a jump-start to get going on your own family history! Click over, read it, and get started!

===================================

• Crista is a Professional Genealogist to high profile individuals and "The Barefoot Genealogist" for Ancestry.com.  She broadcasts every Tuesday and Thursday at http://www.livestream.com/ancestry if you'd like to learn more about how to do genealogy. You can also view archived presentations on YouTube. 
•  If you'd like to check out my family blogs you can visit the Probst blog here and the Hullinger blog here. (Don't judge me for not updating in a while. It's been a busy year! I'm so far behind with so much information!)

a Little Inspiration

It's been a HOT month in Texas! Whew! In spite of all the hiccups we've had (the moving company lost the table legs, couch cushions, and crib mattress, among other lost and damaged items) this has been a great move.

Thursday The Hubby interviewed with the Tarrant County College system and was offered an Adjunct Faculty position teaching PoliSci. This position is ideal for him.  He still keeps his very cool day job, but once or twice a week, he gets to do something he LOVES.

We all have our hobbies.  His are research, reading and teaching. Yeah, he's that guy in class you know is going to throw the grading curve.  

Last night we drove past our lot to see it cleared and ready for the foundation to be poured. All of the permits have cleared and now they're just waiting on the weather.

This week I've been finding inspiration for Sissy's room.  She is such a girl. If something is pink or floral, she'll point and say "Dat's MINE!" I've been letting her thumb through some of my pinterest pics. 

We both agree that giant flowers need to be incorporated in her room somehow.

I would LOVE to have a larger than life rose garden for the Little Miss.  Now, to decide how I want to make them...

(Click on images to find source)

Well, since sewing machines and crafty stuff are in storage for the next few months, I guess its ideas and finding inspiration that will have to satisfy this crafter.

Genealogy Fan Chart - Martha Stewart

 Years ago, like the mid-90's, I made a family history fan chart for my parents as a Christmas gift.  I was interested in family history, and I knew our family already had extensive records so when I saw this Fan Chart in the Martha Steward Catalog, I purchased TWO of them.

With one of the charts I carefully penned each name into their corresponding generation box. Then I had it framed and wrapped for Christmas.

The second chart - oh, I wish I knew what happened to the second fan chart.  I suppose one day I may find it in the abyss of stuff I still have floating around my parents home (along with all my empty CD cases).

source

Martha Stewart has long since stopped making these fan charts.  Which is a shame, they were such a beautiful and simple way to view your ancestry.

As it turns out, there happens to be someone else who liked this fan chart as much as I do.  She's even gone so far as to create one in a jpeg format for FREE! 


 http://www.csh.rit.edu/~thfemale/family_tree.jpg

It's meant to fit a 20x28 inch frame.  I would have added it to this post, but blogger didn't like the size of the picture.  So, if you have any trouble finding it from this link, let me know, I'll email it to you.

I'd like to see if I can add the names in photoshop and then send this off to have it printed on canvas. Wouldn't that be cool? 

The chart I made for my parents still hangs in their home.  I think we've all been surprised at how often we look at it, and use it as quick reference to our ancestry. 

Happy Hunting!

Thank Heaven for Grandmother's

It's late and I should be in bed.  Instead, I've been up working on a few wand orders, and thumbing through old family pictures. I can't seem to shut my mind off tonight.

In less than a week we'll be moving from Southern California back to Texas.

I'm excited, relieved, stressed, and a little sad.

I thought I'd share a picture my cousin unearthed from her dad's stack of old photo's.

 

This is my grandmother and her two oldest boys (I can't get over that darling little bow-tie).  I love this picture. She was such an endearing and kind woman.  And, like so many women of her era, extremely talented. I love seeing all her handiwork in this photo.  

At 93 years old (I was 17) she taught me to crochet. She passed on a gift that will bring me a lifetime of joy.  Somehow I was lucky enough to end up with her crochet hooks. I can't tell you the fond memories that flood into my mind when I pull them out to use on a project.

I wonder if I have time to sew a bow-tie before my machine gets packed away next week?

A Little Easter Fun

 Every holiday the Hubby complains about Peeps.

I don't know what he has against the puffy little things.  After all, they are just marshmallows covered in colored sugar.  What's not to LOVE?

So, I thought it only fitting that I fill a jar FULL of Peeps to send him off in the morning when he leaves and greet him in the afternoon when he returns!  

 ***Added benefit of having a tall jar of Peeps in plain sight...the promise of one is a great motivator for a 2 and 4 year-old!***

Custom Made by Cree Probst

My Grandmother "Cree" was quite the talented lady in her day. I love this picture of her. She was posing for a picture with her fresh, homemade bread for a newspaper spread in the late 1950's.

I think the macaroni rooster needs to come back {in vogue}.

Is anyone thinking what I'm thinking?

Craft night!

If you are interested, you can read more about her here.

Recently, my dad unearthed this tag. She would attach these little things to her handmade gifts.

I can imagine if she were alive and in her prime today. She'd probably have a blog writing/etsy selling/craft making/handmade empire.

Thumbprint Family Tree

Every year I'm confronted with the same dilemma - what do I get parents/grandparents for Christmas? Its hard to come up with something new every year, especially for people who have everything.

I happened to stumble upon this darling thumbprint family tree printout:

Its perfect! I printed it out on card-stock. Actually, I printed out extras since I was depending on my Munchkins for their little fingerprints.

Then I helped the little kiddos press their inked fingers onto the paper. The little red berries are compliments of The New Guy. He's only 1 month old and MAJORLY uncooperative when it comes to stamping his finger.


Pin It

I love how sweet their little fingerprints look. We made one for both sets of grandparents. This one is for my side of the family. There is a thumbprint for my parents, their children, and each of their grandchildren. Whew! I was afraid there wouldn't be enough leaves.

If you'd like to make one yourself, you can find the printout HERE.