Squares and Triangles

Last Saturday I bought everything I thought I needed for a Sunday fondue: Swiss cheese, French bread, pears and broccoli. I was sure I had fire gel to heat my fondue pot, but I was wrong. The cheese will keep until I find more fuel. I served the pears for breakfast and the broccoli with lunch. But the bread very quickly became hard as stone. I used it for garlic bread, but I could have made French toast, croutons, onion soup, or bread pudding. Or I could have made this:

Panzanella

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 small baguette, cubed

1 teaspoon salt

2 tomatoes, cubed

1 cucumber, cubed

1 bell pepper, cubed

1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

20 basil leaves, chopped

3 tablespoons capers, drained

3/4 cup vinaigrette

Saute bread cubes in oil until golden brown. In a large bowl, toss bread with remaining ingredients. Serve immediately or let rest 30 minutes before serving.

Clear Skies

Our dishwasher was finally replaced last week. The new model is beautiful, quiet and efficient; well worth the ridiculous seven-week wait. I’ve learned a few things over the past couple of months: first, using paper plates and plastic flatware really only reduces the dish washing load a little. There are still all those dishes and utensils you used to prepare, to store and to serve food. In the end, all paper plates will do is fill your rubbish bin to overflowing. Second, the only things that actually taste good on paper plates are picnic foods like hot dogs and hamburgers. Everything else seems to really want china. Third, if you complain about not having a working dishwasher, you’ll hear from all of your friends who have never owned one. Fourth, the most efficient way to clear a room (even when you have fifteen dinner guests) is asking, “Who’d like to help with the dishes?”

Four Turnstiles

“This is the work of our generation, what the Apostle Paul called the dispensation of the fullness of times, when he said God would gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him. This is made possible through the atoning work of God’s Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us. You have felt this, as I have, when you have experienced an increase of love as you looked at the picture of an ancestor. You have felt it in the temple when the name on a card seemed like more than a name, and you couldn’t help but sense that this person was aware of you and felt your love. God the Father wants His children home again, in families and in glory.” - President Henry B. Eyring

Four Lazy Janes

“In addition to arguing that the differences between men and women are real and important and spiritually significant, The Family: A Proclamation to the World also boldly claims that men and women are intended by divine design to be equal partners. It seems increasingly obvious to me that in our day, defending the family means rooting out our world’s misogyny. Defending the family means defending women from both the subtle and violent forms of degradation, abuse, and marginalization that riddle our world. It means taking seriously, perhaps for the first time in the history of the world, the solemn declaration that God intends men and women to be equal partners. In my view, this will be the defining moral issue of our generation.” – Adam S. Miller, author of Letters to a Young Mormon

Turnstile

Today is Australia Day, the National Day of Australia. It’s a time for Australians to celebrate their national pride and culture; an opportunity for the whole country to recognize and enjoy its accomplishments. Those of us who are not Australians might observe the day by planning a holiday in the Land Down Under. If money were no object, we might actually TAKE such a trip. The rest of us can still take a virtual vacation by watching a movie (or possibly two) set in Australia. Here are a few to consider: Mad Max, Crocodile Dundee, The Matrix, The Dish, The Man from Snowy River, Quigley Down Under, Finding Nemo, Rescuers Down Under, Babe, and (of course) Australia. If movies aren’t your thing you might whip up a pavlova or a batch of Anzac biscuits, or just cut into a nice, ripe mango. Either way, I hope you have a happy Australia Day!

Lazy Jane's Sister

Last week we finally saw The Greatest Showman. It’s been out since before Christmas, but we couldn’t get tickets until now. Critics hate this film, primarily because of its historical inaccuracies. I guess they have a point. P. T. Barnum was a dozen years older than Hugh Jackman when he founded what would become the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. He certainly wasn’t anywhere near as good looking as the star of Les Misérables and X-Men, and I’m pretty sure he wasn’t as good a singer or dancer. The real Barnum was the kind of fellow who’d hire the tallest guy he could find and parade him on stilts, wearing vertically striped silk trousers. In defense of his “humbuggery,” Barnum said that if, at the end of the day, the audience had been entertained, they’d got their money’s worth. Go see this movie. I promise you’ll find it entertaining. If you can find tickets. 

Four Green Hour Glasses

The other day we were trying to choose a film to watch together, and I was tired of Moana, Toy Story 3, and Big Hero Six. I absolutely love all three of these, but there’s only so much you can take. So I suggested Bedtime Stories. My seven-year-old grandson wanted to know how old it was. “It’s a pretty new movie. You’ll like it.” “But how old is it, really?” So I looked it up. It first aired in 2008. Apparently, ten-year-old movies are not even worth considering. We ended up watching Inside Out instead. I guess I should think twice before recommending Mulan or A Bug’s Life, both of which turn twenty this year. So do Armageddon, The Mask of Zorro, The Truman Show, and my all-time favorite, You’ve Got Mail. Guess I’ll have to watch them all by myself. Whoever said grandkids make you feel young again never met mine.

Michael's Remember When

One thing nearly all children with Down syndrome have in common is a difficulty with learning to speak. Many are born with impaired hearing. Their large tongues and tiny, narrow mouths make shaping words hard, and their brains just aren’t wired for verbal communication. (Last week a young man with DS repeatedly shouted, “GO DISNEYLAND! STAR WARS RIDE!” We gathered he loves Star Tours, but couldn’t tell if he was about to go or just got back.) Two-year-old Bo Gray’s family was told he’d probably manage his first words (if he learned to speak at all) at age four or five. But as his older sister played the guitar and sang “You Are My Sunshine” to him, he chimed in with his very first word: “happy.” Within a month, Bo had mastered a dozen words from the song. Today they’re working on “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” so little Bo can learn to say his own name.

Green Hour Glass

“In choosing how we spend time as a family, we should be careful not to exhaust our available time on things that are merely good and leave little time for that which is better or best. A friend took his young family on a series of summer vacation trips, including visits to memorable historic sites. At the end of the summer he asked his teenage son which of these good summer activities he enjoyed most. The father learned from the reply, and so did those he told of it. ‘The thing I liked best this summer,’ the boy replied, ‘was the night you and I laid on the lawn and looked at the stars and talked.’ Super family activities may be good for children, but they are not always better than one-on-one time with a loving parent.” - President Dallin H. Oaks

Four Rail Fence Blocks

We’ve been in hot water – up to the elbows – at least three times a day for about seven weeks while we’ve waited for our dishwasher to be replaced. I’ve mentioned it here not to complain, but because the situation is so absurd I thought it might be entertaining. I’ve had several people ask why I’m not absolutely furious that this is taking so long to resolve. I suppose I could have given the sales people and plumbers a tongue lashing, but I seriously doubt it would have changed the outcome. I’d only be giving us all a case of heartburn. With any luck, I should be able to hang up my dishtowel sometime next week. Meanwhile, it’s nice to remember we do have hot, running water to do the dishes. We also have a steady stream of dirty dishes, which means my family is eating well. My hands and my kitchen sink have never been cleaner.

Four Green Robbing Peter Blocks

I was thinking the other day about the Winston Churchill quotes that were included in the movie Darkest Hour. Here are a few of my favorites that WEREN’T in the movie: “You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, some time in your life." "If you’re going through hell, keep going.” "Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” “The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.” “My most brilliant achievement was my ability to persuade my wife to marry me.” “You can always count on Americans to do the right thing – after they have tried everything else.”

Rail Fence

Oatmeal Cake

1 cup uncooked rolled oats

1 1/4 cups boiling water

1/2 cup butter

1 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

In a shallow bowl soak oats in boiling water for 20 minutes. While they’re soaking, cream butter and sugar together until light. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Sift together dry ingredients. Fold soaked oats into batter. Turn in a buttered 9x9" pan and bake at 350F for 40-50 minutes. Mix together:

1/4 cup melted butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

3 tablespoons cream or milk

3/4 cup shredded coconut

1/3 cup chopped nuts

Spread topping over hot cake and put under the broiler until bubbly and golden brown. Serve while still warm.

Green Robbing Peter

“I went up to my hometown the other day and ran into my gym teacher, Stan Nelson, looking good at 96. He commanded a landing craft at Normandy on June 6, 1944, and never said a word about it back then, just made us do chin-ups whether we wanted to or not. I saw my biology teacher Lyle Bradley, a Marine pilot in the Korean War, still going bird watching in his 90's. I was not a good student then, but I am studying both of them now. They have seen it all and are still optimistic. The past year of politics has taught us absolutely nothing. Zilch. Zero. Nada. The future is scary. Let the uneducated have their day. I am now going to pay more attention to teachers.” – Garrison Keillor

Four Meteor Blocks

Last week we caught a showing of Darkest Hour, a movie detailing the first few weeks of Churchill’s first term as British Prime Minister. (It would be interesting to see this film along with Dunkirk, as both show the same time period from very different perspectives.) Dozens of actors have played Churchill in movies and on television; dozens will likely play him in the future. But I think few will or have done as well as Gary Oldman. Several wonderful Churchill quotes were included in the movie, like “Will you stop interrupting me while I’m interrupting you?” and “You cannot reason with a tiger when your head is in its mouth.” But my favorite quote was from Viscount Halifax (although I believe it’s actually a John F. Kennedy original) about Winston Churchill: “He mobilized the English language and sent it into battle.”

Four Green Scotsmen

“The First Presidency had told Elder Hales that he could give a brief message in the Sunday morning session if his health permitted it. While his health did not permit it, he prepared a message, which he finished last week and shared with me. Given his passing approximately three hours ago, I share just three lines from his talk. Quoting Elder Hales: “When we choose to have faith, we are prepared to stand in the presence of God. After the Savior’s Crucifixion, He appeared only to those who had been faithful in the testimony of Him while they lived in mortality. Those who rejected the testimonies of the prophets could not behold the Savior’s presence, nor look upon his face. Our faith prepares us to be in the presence of the Lord.” - Elder Neil L. Andersen

Meteor Block

This is one of the most versatile recipes I’ve ever run across. It’s great for a weeknight dinner at home or a barbecue picnic in the park. It’s also easy recipe to double or quadruple for a large crowd.

Citrus Chicken

1/2 cup orange juice

1/2 cup pineapple juice

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

3 tablespoons water

1 package dry Italian dressing mix

1 whole broiler/fryer, cut up

Place chicken parts in a large bowl with an airtight lid. Combine first five ingredients and blend well; pour over chicken in bowl. Seal and allow to marinade for at least an hour. At this point you can cook the chicken – marinade and all – in a slow cooker four hours on high. Or you could discard the marinade and bake in the oven at 350F for 45 minutes or until thoroughly cooked. You might also cook the chicken on an outdoor grill. Serve with hot rice and a tossed salad.

Green Bonnie Scotsman

Between last Christmas and New Year’s Day John, Heather and I took a short vacation to exotic Hurricane Utah. We caught some after-Christmas sales at the outlet stores in St. George and Las Vegas and took in a show at Brigham’s Playhouse in Washington, Utah. But I think the highlight of the trip for all three of us was a visit to Grafton, Utah. Brigham Young sent five families here in 1859 to grow cotton and build a community. The Virgin River flooded them out three years later, but instead of giving up they simply moved a mile upstream. In 1866 the Black Hawk War forced them to abandon their homes for a short time. Without running water and electricity, Grafton’s population gradually dwindled. The last residents left in 1944. Their descendants still return for reunions, and it isn’t hard to see why. It’s one of the most beautiful spots I’ve ever seen.

Nine Bear Paws

The S. L. Livingstone was built in 1912 in Lytham, Lancashire. That same year the narrow vessel was shipped to the British East Africa Railways Company. For nearly forty years the Livingstone carried missionaries, mercenaries, hunting parties and their cargo up and down the Victoria Nile. In 1951 John Huston gave her the starring role in his film adaptation of C. S. Forester’s novel The African Queen. In 1968 the boat was bought by a restaurateur from San Francisco and then by a fellow from Oregon. Fourteen years later a movie buff found the launch in a cow pasture in Ocala, Florida. He bought the African Queen and took her to New York, London and Sydney. In 2012 the century-old Queen underwent major restoration so she’d continue to be seaworthy while still looking like she did in the movie. You can visit her (and maybe even take a dinner cruise) in Key Largo, Florida.

Four Green Coral Court Stars

Early in December I noticed the seal around our dishwasher drain was crumbling. I searched in vain for a replacement seal on the Internet. I called a reliable appliance repair shop. I sent a photo of the seal, the make and model, and they said a repairman would be by in a week with the needed part. What’s a week of hand-washing dishes? A week later the repairman came with the wrong part. He looked at our machine and said it couldn't be repaired. In fact, it's more or less disposable. That night we went out and bought a new dishwasher the store said would be installed a week later. When the appliance arrived the installers said they couldn’t work under a granite counter top without special hardware. A week after that, they said the dishwasher we’d bought had been mislabeled on the sales floor. The dishwasher that came yesterday had been damaged in transit, so we'll try again next week. Does anyone have a good remedy for dishpan hands?

Lawyer's Puzzle

In 1983 an indoor theme park opened in Murray Utah. The 49th Street Galleria had a bowling alley, a skating rink, mini-golf, an ice cream parlor, a carousel, a small roller coaster and an arcade. Most of these were still functioning nearly a decade later when I visited with my two small nephews. In addition to the rides and games, I treated them to burgers for lunch. They were the best you can find this side of your own backyard: grilled instead of fried, on a toasted bun with cheddar cheese, crispy lettuce, juicy tomatoes and thin sweet onion slices. One of the boys lifted his top bun and wailed, “What’s this SALAD?” His brother chimed in with, “This is the stupidest burger I ever saw!” Ever since then we’ve called burgers with the works “stupid burgers,” to remind me of the day I should have taken the kids to McDonald’s.

Green Coral Court

“To appreciate—to say ‘I love you’ and ‘thank you’—is not difficult. But these expressions of love and appreciation do more than acknowledge a kind thought or deed. They are signs of sweet civility. As grateful partners look for the good in each other and sincerely pay compliments to one another, wives and husbands will strive to become the persons described in those compliments. Good communication includes taking time to plan together. Couples need private time to observe, to talk, and really listen to each other. They need to cooperate—helping each other as equal partners. They need to nurture their spiritual as well as physical intimacy. They should strive to elevate and motivate each other. Marital unity is sustained when goals are mutually understood.” – Russell M. Nelson

Katie's Cupboard

My baby will have her 32nd birthday tomorrow, though she’ll always be around seven or eight. We’re baking a chocolate cake, of course. If the cake isn’t chocolate, we’ve committed a serious birthday faux pas and have to try again. We’re having stupid burgers (that’s a story for another day) because they’re her favorite. In addition, she’s asked for:

Oven Sweet Potato Fries

5 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/4" wide strips (I may use my crinkle cutter)

A tablespoon or two of vegetable oil

1 tablespoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon paprika

Line jelly roll pan with parchment. In large bowl toss sweet potatoes with just enough oil to coat. Combine seasonings and toss with sweet potatoes. Spread in single layer on pan. Bake until tender and golden brown, turning occasionally, about 20 minutes. Let cool 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Serve with Thousand Island dressing as a dip.

Four Petronella Blocks

In 2010 Eric O’Grey was 51 and weighed 340 pounds. He took insulin for type 2 diabetes and 15 other medications, including antidepressants and weight loss drugs. He tried dieting, but nothing helped. “It's amazing how painful it is to be that heavy,” he says. “Every part of your body hurts.” He felt traditional medicine had failed him, so he consulted a naturopath. She recommended a plant-based diet. She said to throw out everything in the house that wasn’t on her list. She ordered him to adopt a dog and walk it thirty minutes, twice a day. At the shelter he met Petey, an obese, depressed pooch. At first the pair could only manage 100 yards or so, but Petey loved it. “He looked so appreciative,” Eric said. “I decided to become the person he thought I was.” Today Eric is into fresh vegetables and long-distance running.  “It's never too late to turn it around,” he says.

Four Sweet Sixteens

“I pray that we may be aware of the needs of those around us. May we ever be ready to extend to them a helping hand and a loving heart.”

“May I suggest a formula that will ensure our success: first, search the scriptures with diligence. Second, plan your life with purpose. Third, teach the truth with testimony, and fourth, serve the Lord with love.”

“There is no need for you to sail uncharted seas or to travel unmarked roads in search of truth. A loving Heavenly Father has plotted our course and provided an unfailing guide; even obedience.”

“May we show increased kindness toward one another, and may we ever be found doing the work of the Lord.”

“Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love.”

“If you want to give a light to others, you have to glow yourself.” – President Thomas S. Monson (1927-2018)

Petronella

If your New Year’s resolution for 2018 is to improve your health, you might start by adding a little more color to your diet. Bright red fruits and vegetables like pink grapefruit, watermelon, tomatoes and red cabbage contain lycopene, which can decrease your chances of getting certain kinds of cancer. Purple foods like blueberries, blackberries, eggplant and concord grapes provide anthrocyanins, which improve cognitive function and help to keep your liver healthy. Some orange foods – like sweet potatoes and carrots – have vitamin A which plays a vital role in bone growth and immune support. Others like nectarines and oranges, have vitamin C to help with tissue repair and iron absorption. Deep green vegetables, like spinach, broccoli and kale, contain lutein for your eyes and skin and folate to lower your risk of birth defects and depression. Your choices – even the small ones – can make a big difference. This year, choose to eat a rainbow.

Sweet Sixteen-ish

The pond nearest my house freezes every year and stays frozen much of the winter. But it’s never quite as solid as it looks. Nearly every year we watch another poor fool find this out the hard way. Luckily for them our pond is only a few feet deep. Christmas Day an eight-year-old boy named Jason near New Harmony wasn’t so lucky. He chased his dog onto an icy pond, fell through and disappeared into much deeper water than ours. Sgt. Aaron Thompson went in after him. “I just made the decision I was going to go get him,” Thompson said. “I knew what I was getting into.” He broke through the ice with his hands and arms, jumped into the water and pulled the boy from the bottom of the pond. Jason was taken by Life Fight helicopter to Primary Children's Hospital, where he recovered. He’s back home now, thanks to Sgt. Thompson’s quick thinking and selfless courage. 

Any Direction

“Sometimes we look at what others might have or be and feel we are less in comparison. We become focused on the Pinterest or Instagram versions of life or caught up in our school’s or workplace’s preoccupation with competition. However, when we take a moment to count our many blessings, we see with a truer perspective and recognize the goodness of God to all of His children. Whether we are eight or a hundred and eight, we can bring the light of the gospel into our own environment, be it a high-rise apartment in Manhattan, a stilt house in Malaysia, or a yurt in Mongolia. We can determine to look for the good in others and in the circumstances around us. Young and not-so-young women everywhere can demonstrate charity as they choose to use words that build confidence and faith in others.” – Jean B. Bingham, First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency