Judy's Star

Maya Angelou passed quietly in her home Wednesday morning at the age of eighty-six. She was a teacher, an activist, and a poet. Her work has brought peace, beauty and understanding to many. To celebrate a life well lived, here are a few memorable Maya Angelou quotes:  "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." "You are the sum total of everything you've ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot - it's all there. Everything influences each of us, and because of that I try to make sure that my experiences are positive." "I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back." And my personal favorite: "Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud."

Broken Star

The next time you make tacos don’t buy a packet of seasoning mix; make your own! It’s easy, inexpensive, and delicious! Combine the following in a Mason jar. Put the lid on securely and shake. When you’re ready to make tacos, add 2 tablespoons of the seasoning mix and 1/2 cup water with a pound of browned, drained ground beef or turkey. Simmer a few minutes and serve. 

4 teaspoons dried minced onion

2 teaspoons coarse salt

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1 teaspoon crushed dried red pepper

1 teaspoon instant minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon ground cumin

This next recipe is more authentic and tastier, but if there isn’t a Mexican market nearby you may have a tough time finding hot smoked paprika.

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon ground cumin

2 teaspoons cornstarch

2 teaspoons coarse salt

1 1/2 teaspoons hot smoked paprika

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon cayenne

Crowning Glory

If you suffer from hay fever you’re probably as miserable as I am right now. I’ve been taking Benadryl, which is apparently designed to keep me asleep until the pollen count recedes. If you’d rather not spend the season comatose, there are a few other tricks you can try: Bathe and shampoo right before bed to wash off the pollen you’ve collected during the day. Remember that indoor/outdoor pets can bring in pollen, too. It may be unwise to let them lounge on your bed. Wash bed linens frequently and avoid hanging them outside to dry. If you must mow the lawn, wear a mask while you do. Avoid going outside on dry, windy days, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Use air conditioning in your home and car and keep windows closed. Replace air filters and vacuum bags frequently; keep ducts, vents, carpets and upholstery clean. It IS a lot of work. The Benadryl is starting to sound better and better.

Thunder and Lightning

World’s Best Mac & Cheese

Fill stockpot with water, add 2 teaspoons of salt and bring to a boil. Pour in 1/2 pound of elbow macaroni and bring back to boiling. Set timer to 7 minutes (or whatever the pasta package suggests). While the pasta is cooking, melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a saucepan. Whisk in 2 tablespoons flour. When mixture is smooth and bubbly (but not browned) stir in 1 1/2 cups milk. Keep stirring until mixture begins to thicken slightly, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat and add 1/2 teaspoon salt, a couple of pinches of fresh ground nutmeg and a dash of fresh ground black pepper. Stir in about 2 cups grated cheese. (We like white cheddar with a little Parmesan thrown in, but this is a great way to use up bits of almost any kind of cheese.) When the timer goes off, drain the pasta and toss with cheese sauce. Serve immediately.

Mary's Block

“I cannot be grateful enough for the Atonement wrought by my Savior and my Redeemer. Through His sacrifice at the culmination of a life of perfection, the bonds of death were broken, and the resurrection of all became assured. I cannot comprehend it all. It is so vast in its reach and yet so intimate in its effect that it defies comprehension. When all is said and done, when all of history is examined, when the deepest depths of the human mind have been explored, there is nothing so wonderful, so majestic, so tremendous as this act of grace when the Son of the Almighty, the prince of His Father’s royal household, gave His life in ignominy and pain so that all of the sons and daughters of God, of all generations of time, every one of whom must die, might walk again and live eternally.” – Gordon B. Hinckley

Mosaic #6

Flag Cake

4 cups strawberries, divided

1 1/2 cups boiling water

2 packages (3 oz. each) Jell-O, any red flavor

 Ice cubes

1 cup cold water

1 pound cake, cut into 10 slices

1 1/3 cups blueberries, divided

1 tub (8 oz.) Cool Whip

Slice 1 cup strawberries; cut remaining strawberries in half. Add boiling water to gelatin mixes in large bowl; stir 2 min. until completely dissolved. Add enough ice to cold water to measure 2 cups. Add to gelatin; stir until ice is melted. Refrigerate 5 min. or until slightly thickened. Meanwhile, cover bottom of 13x9-inch dish with cake slices. Add sliced strawberries and 1 cup blueberries to thickened gelatin; stir gently. Spoon over cake. Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm. Spread Cool Whip over dessert. Top with fruit to resemble the flag, using strawberries for the stripes and remaining blueberries for the stars.