Pointed Tile

Howard Brookins Jr. is the alderman for Chicago’s 21st ward. He has been an outspoken opponent of what he sees as one of that city’s biggest threats – urban squirrels. The rodents are in the habit of chewing through plastic trash can lids; an appetite that has cost Chicago upwards of $300,000. In October Brookins recommended that the aggressive beasts be eradicated. A few weeks later the alderman was cycling along the Cal-Sag Trail when the squirrels launched a counter attack. One of them threw itself into the spinning bike spokes, sending Brookins to the hospital with a fractured skull, a broken nose and several missing teeth. The alderman is expected to eventually make a full recovery, but the kamikaze squirrel will not.

Fish Platter

Tuna/Noodle Casserole

6 ounces wide egg noodles

2 tablespoons butter

6 scallions, sliced

3 ribs celery, chopped

1 12 -ounce can evaporated milk

1 cup frozen peas and carrots

1 tablespoon Dijon

1/2 cup sour cream

3/4 cup shredded Monterrey Jack

1 5 -ounce can tuna, drained

1/4 cup breadcrumbs

Prepare noodles as directed. Drain noodles, reserving 1/2 cup cooking water. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add scallions and celery; sauté about 2 minutes. Add milk, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a dash of pepper. Stir in mustard, peas and carrots. Bring to a boil; reduce to medium. Cook until slightly thickened. Pour the sauce over the noodles in 1 1/2 quart baking dish. Fold in the sour cream, 1/2 cup cheese, tuna and reserved water. Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Toss with the breadcrumbs and remaining cheese; season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle over the casserole. Bake at 400F 15 minutes.

Chained Nine Patch

    Our young members’ fascination and expertise with social media gives them unique opportunities to reach out to interest others in the gospel. Describing the Savior’s appearance to the Nephites, Mormon writes, “He did teach and minister unto the children … , and he did loose their tongues … that they could utter.” Today I suppose we would say loose their ‘thumbs’ that they could utter. Go to it, youth! Sharing the gospel is not a burden but a joy. What we call ‘member missionary work’ is not a program but an attitude of love and outreach to help those around us. It is also an opportunity to witness how we feel about the restored gospel of our Savior. As Elder Ballard has taught, ‘A most significant evidence of our conversion and of how we feel about the gospel in our own lives is our willingness to share it with others.’” – Elder Dallin H. Oaks

The Red Cross

August 25, 1835 the New York Sun published the first of six articles describing the “great astronomical discoveries made by Sir John Herschel (a prominent astronomer at that time) at the Cape of Good Hope.” According to these articles the use of a powerful new telescope had led to the discovery of life on the moon. They described in fascinating detail the strange and wonderful lunar trees, goats, bison and unicorns. There were signs of civilization on the moon: bat-winged humanoids who built elaborate temples. The articles, which were never retracted, ended with the sad report that sunlight through the telescope’s lenses caused a fire that destroyed the observatory, making further discoveries impossible. 134 years later we watched as humans first set foot on the moon. I have to wonder: which of our “scientific facts” will people be laughing at in the year 2150?

Bread 'n Butter

According to my records I've made 32 quilt tops so far this year, with a few more waiting in the wings. More than half of those have already been quilted and bound. Most were small one-block quilts: wall hangings, baby quilts, table runners and lap quilts. About half a dozen were large comforters - sampler quilts that used up thirty blocks or more. So maybe I can be forgiven for having lost track of a few. I was going through my files when I realized there wasn’t a shot of the newly bound quilt hanging above my piano. Usually when I finish a new top, I spread it up on my design wall to snap a photo before it gets quilted. For some reason I didn’t do that with this one. So here’s your picture of the finished Bread ‘n Butter quilt, with a cat to show scale.

Pocket Change

Seventeen-year-old Jamal Hinton was sitting in class at Desert Vista High School in Phoenix when a text alert popped up on his phone. “Thanksgiving is at my house November 24 at 3:00 p.m.” it read. “Let me know if you’re coming. Hope to see you all.” Jamal didn’t recognize the texter’s number, so he asked, “Who is this?” “Your grandma,” was the reply. Thinking his grandmother might have changed her number, Hinton requested a photo. Wanda sent him a selfie which was followed by one from Jamal. “You not my grandma,” he concluded. “Can I still get a plate, though?” “Of course you can,” was her response, “that’s what grandmas do. Feed everyone.” Jamal then tweeted screenshots of their conversation, which went viral. Wanda received so many RSVPs she had to change her number. She’s not mad at Jamal, though. He’s still invited to Thanksgiving dinner. I hope they have a great time. I hope you do, too.