Simplicity

 

This dish was on the Chick-fil-A menu for more than forty years. It was finally discontinued in 2013. It’s very old school, and I suppose tastes have changed.

 

Carrot-Raisin Salad

 

4 1/2 cups fresh carrots, finely shredded

1 can (20 ounces) crushed pineapple, drained

3/4 cup raisins

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup sugar

Juice of one small lemon or half a large one

 

Dissolve sugar in pineapple, then gently fold in remaining ingredients. Be sure to use fresh carrots, as it will definitely make a difference in the finished product. The original recipe called for more than twice as much sugar. But, when you consider pineapple, raisins and even carrots are already pretty sweet, a quarter cup seemed more than enough. You may want to eliminate the sugar altogether. Chill salad thoroughly before serving. 

Nine Friendship Stars

 

“Becoming a lifelong disciple of Christ is a process, the sum of multiple small, daily, personal and spiritual events. President Dallin H. Oaks taught: ‘We need to be patient, even with ourselves. Overcoming doubt can be a lengthy process, as with building faith.’ The path of discipleship often resembles climbing a mountain. The shortest path to the top is not always the most appropriate and often not the safest either. Thus, we must choose the firm and safe path, even if it is sometimes the longest and most demanding one. Jesus Christ and His restored gospel constitute that safe path that leads us to the true summit. I testify of the healing, refining, and perfecting power of Jesus Christ. I know that Jesus Christ lives, that He was resurrected on the third day, and that the empty tomb is a symbol of His victory.” - Elder Eduardo F. Ortega

Odd Fellows Cross

 

Our quilt guild occasionally invites quilters to show and discuss their work. Once, when they were really scraping the bottom of the barrel, they asked me to provide what they call a “trunk show.” It was harder than expected, because my best quilts have all been gifted to family or friends, or donated to Quilts of Valor, Quilts for Kids, Project Linus, Festival of Trees, Intermountain Medical Center, etc. This month, the trunk show was provided by Ione Vanwagenen, who used to own one of our favorite quilt shops, Elaine’s Quilt Block. She brought her own creations, and some her mother had made. Several were African designs, and some were Native American. They were all amazing, but the ones I found most inspirational were antique quilts she’d bought, including this one from the mid-1800’s. I’ve made this block, but never with Civil War prints, or reversed color values. Can't wait to start!

Turnstyle

 

I used to have a recipe for a quiche that called for skinny Japanese eggplant. It was delightful, but so complicated I only made it once. I make a mean ratatouille, and once in a blue moon I try my hand at eggplant parmesan. But this is the easiest and possibly the tastiest eggplant recipe I’ve made so far. You take just about any variety of eggplant – globe, Italian, Asian, whatever – and cut it up into one-inch cubes. In a large bowl, toss the cubes with a splash of olive oil, coarse salt and fresh ground pepper. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray and spread the eggplant on top. Roast in the oven at 450F for half an hour, until they’re golden-brown and tender. You can eat them as is, or seal and store them in the fridge a few days. Roasted eggplant is a delicious and nutritious addition to salads or savory bowls. 

Eight Friendship Stars

 

Today is Constitution Day. The Continental Congress of the United States of America was tasked by representatives of the 13 colonies with coming up with a constitution for our newly formed country. The group’s final meeting was on September 17, 1787. The meeting’s purpose was to sign the Constitution of the United States of America, a document they’d painstakingly labored to create and perfect. Eventually, they realized more laws and a set of declared rights were also needed. Subsequently, the Bill of Rights and the first ten Amendments were adopted December 15, 1791. After the meeting, there was still much to do. Individual states then had to meet and vote on it. The U.S. Constitution did not go into effect until two years later on March 4, 1789. The Constitution is what makes our country what it is. It’s why our President, members of Congress, federal officials, and new citizens all take an oath to support and defend it.

Butterfly

 

The lyrics to the 1958 song go, “Splish splash I was taking a bath.” It was Bobby Darrin’s first big hit. You probably know all the words, and there’s a chance you’ll have the tune stuck in your head the rest of the day. But I’ll bet you’ve never asked yourself, “Why splish-splash? Why not splash-splish?” There’s actually a rule governing these things. It’s not one you were taught in school, but you KNOW it. If the vowel order reverses, it just sounds WRONG. We say, “criss-cross” and never “cross-criss.” Someone making sharp turns is “zig-zagging,” never “zag-zigging.” Clocks don’t go, “tock-tick.” We don’t complain about “raff-riff,” and Mary Poppins never says “spot-spit.” If you can’t make up your mind, you might be called “wishy-washy,” but never “washy-wishy.” Or you may “flip-flop,” but not “flop-flip.” The phenomenon is called ablaut reduplication, and it isn’t strictly an English thing. Evidently the Japanese, Chinese and Turks do this, too.

Orange Pinwheel

 

My best advice for young adults: learn to cook five inexpensive, easy meals that you like. Yours will be different, but here are mine:

Mac & cheese. No blue box: macaroni, milk, butter, flour, cheese. It doesn’t have to be cheddar. What a yummy way to use up odd bits of cheese!

Fried rice. Here’s a fun way to 86 leftover rice and veg. Toss in scrambled eggs, bacon or ham if you have them. If not, it’s still a delicious, filling meal.

Jacket potatoes. Poke and bake at 400F one hour. Add butter and salt and you’re set. If you have cheese, sour cream, tuna and sweet corn, chili, leftover meat and veg, even better.

Buttered noodles. Any pasta will do. Toss with butter or olive oil, minced garlic, and pepper flakes. Add a little pasta water, too.

Creamed eggs on toast. Just chopped hard-boiled egg, toast points and white sauce: the ultimate comfort food.