Valentine Heart

 

Mark Twain once said, “If you don’t like our weather, just wait a few minutes.” I actually prefer George Carlin’s quote, “The weather will continue to change on and off for a long, long time.” So far, our winter has been remarkably mild. But that could change on a dime. If you hear the words “winter storm warning,” make sure all your devices are charged and your gas tank is full. Check flashlights and spare batteries. See that you have at least three days of non-perishable food that doesn’t need cooking. Fill bottles and tubs with water. Fill your freezer with ice. Bring pets indoors. If the power goes out, use flashlights, not candles. Unplug sensitive electronics. Close curtains to retain heat. Make sure your neighbors are okay. When the power comes back on, check for frozen pipes. Toss any spoiled food, and gradually plug your devices in again.

February Door Banner

 

“Our Savior Jesus Christ is our ultimate role model. We’ll be blessed if we model our lives after His teachings and self-sacrifice. Following Christ and giving ourselves in service to one another is the best remedy for the selfishness and individualism that now seem to be so common. Parents also have a duty to teach children practical knowledge apart from gospel principles. Families unite when they do meaningful things together. Family gardens build family relationships. Happy family experiences strengthen family ties. Camping, sports activities, and other recreation are especially valuable to bond families. Families should organize family reunions to remember ancestors, which lead to the temple. Parents should educate children in the basic skills of living, including working in the yard and home. Learning languages is useful preparation for missionary service and modern life. Families flourish when they learn as a group and counsel together on all matters of concern to the family and its members.” – President Dallin H. Oaks

Two Dozen Echoes

 

An elderly priest died and was welcomed at the pearly gates by Saint Peter. “Father Mulgrew, we’ve been expecting you,” said the saint. “Please go with this angel. We’ve got a lovely retirement shack on the edge of the woods. It’s a humble place, but I promise you’ll be comfortable.” The priest settled in, but not long after, he returned to the pearly gates with a question. “I feel as though there’s been a mistake,” the priest said. “Not far from my shack I noticed a magnificent mansion. The fellow who lives there was a taxi driver I knew from earth. Surely it cannot be intended that a man like me should receive such a modest reward compared to him!” Saint Peter smiles, “Let not your heart be troubled, Father Mulgrew. You were a faithful servant of the Lord, and that’s why you’re here. But when you preached, some people slept. When that man drove, people PRAYED.”

Spin Around

 

A few of my favorite Roald Dahl quotes:

“The books transported her into new worlds and introduced her to amazing people who lived exciting lives. She went on olden-day sailing ships with Joseph Conrad. She went to Africa with Ernest Hemingway and to India with Rudyard Kipling. She travelled all over the world while sitting in her little room in an English village.” – Matilda

“You should never, never doubt something that no one is sure of.” – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

"Those who don't believe in magic will never find it." – Billy and the Minpins

“A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.” – The Twits

Twenty-Eight Flying Geese

 

Two weeks ago my husband and grandsons came home from a robot fight (don’t ask) with some bagels and a tub of cream cheese. They’d grabbed breakfast at Einstein on their way to the event, and their leftovers were in the car ALL DAY LONG. Temperatures were in the thirties most of the day, and the cream cheese seemed okay. But the bagels were hard as rocks. (Memo: the driest environment you’re likely to meet is inside your car. I’ve used mine to make sun-dried tomatoes and fruit leather.) If you have dried-out bagels, you can LIGHTLY toast them to make them edible. If they’re too gone for that, wrap each bagel in a damp paper towel and microwave 10 to 20 seconds. Or, you can preheat the oven to 350F, run a bagel under HOT water, and bake 5 minutes. With each of these methods, you must eat the bagel immediately. Otherwise, just bin it.

Twenty Echoes

 

From 1876 to 1882, the torch of the Statue of Liberty was on display – with the attached hand and forearm – in Madison Square Park in New York City. It was there to help raise funds for the construction of the statue’s pedestal. Yes, Lady Liberty was a gift from France. But the French only donated the statue; the U.S. had to pony up for the island and base on which she stands. The original idea came from Édouard René de Laboulaye, a staunch French abolitionist who wanted to celebrate both our country’s centennial and our commitment to end slavery. But when Emma Lazarus wrote “The New Colossus” to help raise money for the pedestal construction, her focus was slightly different. Instead of the Revolutionary War or abolition, she wrote about immigrants. Emma had helped to bring Jewish refugees fleeing Europe’s pogroms to America. For her, they were the “huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

Four Corners

 

I love simple recipes; the ones that use a single pan instead of leaving a mountain of dirty dishes in the sink. I think it’s safe to say you won’t find a beef Wellington or baked Alaska in my kitchen, unless, of course, someone else made it for me.

 

One-Dish Pasta

 

1/2 pound uncooked spaghetti or fettucine

10 ounces cherry tomatoes

2 cups fresh spinach

1/3 cup sun dried tomatoes

2 tablespoons sun dried tomato oil

2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed

4 tablespoons butter

2 cups chicken broth

1 cup cream

Salt and pepper to taste

 

Add all ingredients to a large skillet and cover. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and cook about 10-12 minutes. Reduce heat and remove lid and stir to combine. Add water or more broth as needed. Continue cooking if needed until pasta is tender. Serve in bowls with grated parmesan.