Pink Heart

 

It seems a little odd to me that February 27 is National Strawberry Day. Where I live, strawberries won’t be in season until June. The big, juicy berries in the stores right now have been shipped from southern California or Mexico. I know it’s not very environmentally conscious of me, but I can’t help myself. I bought several of these beauties just yesterday. There aren’t enough to make jam, but I could make a fresh strawberry pie. Some might get covered in chocolate. A few will decorate my oatmeal or pancakes tomorrow. But most of them are destined to be a frozen treat. I’ll run 4 cups of hulled strawberries through the blender with 2 cups of sour cream, a cup each of cream and sugar, and a teaspoon of vanilla. Half an hour in my ice cream freezer, and a few hours “curing” in the deep freeze, and we’ll have homemade strawberry ice cream. In February!

Shining Star

 

Do you ever read a news article and find yourself wondering about details the author left out? I do, and sometimes it drives me crazy. This all started with a shoe. None of the articles I found mentioned the type of shoe, or whether it belonged to a man, a woman or a child. The shoe fell off the foot of a tourist ziplining over a crocodile habitat in the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. It was a minor inconvenience for the owner of the shoe, who probably had to buy alligator-themed flip flops at the gift shop later. But for Anuket, a 10 1/2-foot reptile with an appetite for footwear, it meant major surgery. First, a medic in residence tried to remove the shoe by reaching down the crocodile’s throat. Can you picture that? I’m thinking it wasn’t a small shoe, and it wasn’t something easily digestible, like leather. I’m betting it was a Croc. 

Monterrey Medallion, Revisited

 

I set these blocks aside at the end of September last year. I didn’t want them to become a white elephant – too large for a wall hanging, too square for a bedspread. I used up all the white(ish) tone-on-tone pin dot background that I needed to make it a useful size, and it was so far out of print I had no hope of finding a replacement. For several weeks I consoled myself with small Halloween and Christmas quilts. I found some fabric I thought would work, called “cognac dots.” I didn’t know until the package arrived that “cognac” meant “dirty yellow.” Then I discovered some white tone-on-tone polka-dots from the same designer. You can’t tell from the photo, but half these star blocks and one of the chain blocks has a slightly whiter background than the rest. I can’t even tell, unless it’s in full sun. And it’s a bad idea to put any quilt in full sun.

Framed Flower

 

February is when I love gardening most. It’s planning time; time to consider the crops that did well last year, and the ones that didn’t. Time to decide what to try again and what to avoid. The little raised bed on the south side of my house gets too much sun. It’s a challenge to keep it watered, and to avoid scorching tender plants. We might set up drip irrigation there, and maybe a small awning. Root vegetables were happy there, so we'll plant carrots, radishes, beets and onions again. I might even try a little romaine. Potted strawberries, peppers, eggplant and tomatoes thrived on the deck, though the wind frequently knocked over the ones in plastic pots. Maybe this year we should invest in more terra cotta. The biggest decision is of course the walnut tree. I love the shade and the nuts it provides, but it’s definitely killing the lawn. I’m afraid it’s got to go.

Two Dozen Floating Stars

 

I’ve been managing this blog for just over a decade. Nearly every day for ten years and change I’ve stitched a quilt block (or several), taken a photo, and posted it along with whatever was on my mind. I limit myself to roughly 150 words per day – the number the average person can read aloud in a minute. I’ve tried to keep my posts positive, uplifting, amusing or helpful, even when I’m not feeling any of those things. It’s like that old Hindu proverb: “Help thy brother’s boat across and lo! Thine own has reached the shore.” This whole thing started as sort of a dare. I wanted to improve my piecing and writing skills, so I challenged myself to work on both every day for a year. Today’s blog post is number 3000. It will probably only be seen by a handful of people, but I’d like to thank you for being one of them.

Four String Blocks

 

“The institutions of family and religion have been crucial for endowing both individuals and communities with the virtues that sustain an enduring society. These virtues, rooted in scripture, include integrity, responsibility and accountability, compassion, marriage and fidelity in marriage, respect for others and the property of others, service, and the necessity and dignity of work, among others. There is much we can do as neighbors and fellow citizens to contribute to the sustainability and success of the societies we live in, and surely our most fundamental and enduring service will be to teach and live by the truths inherent in God’s great plan of redemption. If enough of us and enough of our neighbors strive to make our decisions and guide our lives by the truth of God, the moral virtues needed in every society will abound.” – Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Twenty Floating Stars

 

Non-runners probably won’t believe this, but running can be very disorienting. It can make you dizzy and nauseated. Sometimes it’s all you can do to breathe in and out and keep your legs beneath you. Top that off with running in a strange country with signs in a foreign language, and you could easily become completely overwhelmed. That’s what happened to Kenyan runner Abel Mutai in December, 2012 in Navarre, Spain. Ten meters before the end of his 3,000-meter race, he pulled up short, thinking he’d won. Spaniard Iván Fernández Anaya – running behind him – realized what was happening and shouted at Abel to keep running. In Spanish. When the Kenyan didn’t respond, Iván pushed his opponent forward. Abel won, and Iván took second place. A reporter asked the Spaniard why he didn’t just take the lead, and he said, “He was the rightful winner. He created a gap I couldn't have closed if he hadn't made a mistake.”

String Block

 

"The magic is only in what books say, how they stitched the patches of the universe together into one garment for us." – Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

“Words can be like X-rays if you use them properly—they’ll go through anything. You read and you’re pierced.” – Aldous Huxley, Brave New World

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss, I Can Read with My Eyes Shut!

“A classic is a successful book that has survived the reaction of the next period or generation. Then it's safe, like a style in architecture or furniture. It's acquired a picturesque dignity to take the place of its fashion.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Beautiful and Damned

“Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.” – Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

Thirty Four-Patch Chain Blocks

 

According to FindAGrave.com, her headstone is in the Heard Cemetery, Sandtown, Wilkes County, Georgia. It reads, “MAMMY KATE WHO RESCUED HER MASTER STEPHEN HEARD IN FEB 1779 ON EVE OF HIS EXECUTION BY THE BRITISH.” Stephen Heard served as temporary governor and council president in the early colonial days of Georgia. Mammy Kate, a slave in his household, was well over six feet tall, very strong, and absolutely fearless. As the story goes, Mammy Kate learned her master had been captured by the Tories and sentenced to be hanged. She showed up with a large basket of laundry and told his guards, “Let him hang in clean clothes.” They let her pass. When she left again, Heard was in the basket, hidden under clothing. No doubt this tale has been embellished many times in nearly two and a half centuries. But then, there is that grave marker.

Bird Bungalow

 

For dinner on Valentine’s Day, we had pork ribs. I let them sit in the slow cooker six hours on low, then served them with this:

 

Homemade Barbecue Sauce

 

1/2 cup brown sugar (Next time, I’ll use 1/3 cup honey instead.)

3/4 cup ketchup

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire

1 tablespoon dry mustard

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon kosher salt

3/4 teaspoon black pepper

Dash hot sauce (We like Cholula, but any brand will do.)

 

Dump all ingredients in a small saucepan and stir over low heat until sauce thickens a bit. May be served immediately or refrigerated in an airtight container for up to a month. This was more than enough for the three of us, but it can easily be doubled or tripled if necessary.

Eighteen Floating Stars

 

Bnei Brak (it’s also spelled Bnei Beraq) is a city in Israel, east of Tel Aviv. Although it has been particularly hard-hit by the current pandemic, members of this ultra-Orthodox community have been reluctant to take advantage of the vaccines meant to fight it. According to Israel’s Health Ministry, only 17% of Bnei Brak’s residents had received the first of two doses. So municipal leaders decided to throw a party. All four of the city’s health providers opened their doors from 7:00 p.m. to midnight last Thursday. They enlisted the help of the city’s at-risk youth to ladle out big bowls of cholent (a hearty Jewish meat-and-bean stew), rolls, and drinks to anyone willing to be vaccinated. They called their creative immunization drive, “Green Night,” because they hope increasing the city’s immunity will allow it to become a “green zone” where life can begin to return to normal.

Sailboat

 

“In the Book of Mormon when Alma and his people were nearly crushed by the burdens placed upon them, the people pleaded for relief. The Lord didn’t take away their burdens; instead, He promised them: ‘I will ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs; and this will I do that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions. And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease.’ I testify that Jesus Christ is our loving Savior, our Redeemer, the Master Healer, and our faithful friend. If we turn to Him, He will heal us and make us whole again.” - Cristina B. Franco

Sixteen Floating Stars

 

I seem to be writing a lot about owls lately. In late November, there was the tiny saw-whet owl who hitched a ride to the Big Apple in the branches of the Rockefeller Center’s Christmas tree. (That bird was rescued, rehabilitated and released in the wild.) Last month, the RSPCA removed a very greasy owl from a kitchen fan in York. (I haven’t yet heard the end of her story.) Yesterday it was a barred owl that had fallen down a chimney in Bolton, Massachusetts. When the home owners discovered an owl in their fireplace, they consulted MassWildlife. Wildlife rehabilitators were able to free the bird. As it hadn’t been damaged by the fall (or dehydrated after a long truck ride, or covered in kitchen grease), they were able to release it immediately. Owls have long been a symbol of wisdom, possibly because their large, fixed eyes give them a look of intelligence. It’s certainly not because they act smart.

Paddle Wheel

 

We eat a lot of eggs at our house, especially for breakfast. Most of them get poached or fried, but we also like scrambled eggs, shirred eggs, and omelets. Every now and then, I whip up a batch of egg muffins. They’re a bit more work, but the leftovers make tomorrow’s breakfast effortless. I coat six muffin cups with oil or melted butter, then divide three crisp, crumbled bacon slices between the six cups. I add a tablespoon of grated cheddar to each cup (Swiss or Wensleydale are good, too). Then I whisk together five eggs and a pinch of salt and pepper (sometimes I add a little Italian seasoning). I pour the egg mixture into the cups to fill them about 3/4 full. They bake at 400F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they’re nearly set. We either eat them fresh out of the oven, or save them for an on-the-go breakfast later.

Thirteen Floating Stars

 

One of the reasons we chose this house is the large pond a few yards from our door. When we moved in, there was a swan in residence. If we walked around the pond, the ducks and geese would tail us, looking for a handout. But the swan stayed aloof, as far away as possible. We hadn’t lived here long before he got tangled in some fishing tackle and had to be rescued by animal services. He wasn’t returned to the pond, so we were left to wonder if he recuperated in a safer place. Either way, he’s probably gone now. The life expectancy of a swan in the wild is twelve years, and that was easily fifteen years ago. I was reminded of “our” swan when I found a story of a Turkish man who befriended a swan with a broken wing and has sheltered her ever since: for 37 years! Animals really do live longer when they’re well cared for.

Eighteen Crayon Stars

 

We saw Disney’s Onward in our local cinema last year, about a week before the pandemic shut everything down. Since then, we’ve seen Dolphin Reef, Elephant, Artemis Fowl, Hamilton, The One and Only Ivan, Mulan, Godmothered, Safety, and Soul from the relative comfort and safety of our own home, on Disney Plus. We’ve been enjoying The Mandalorian and WandaVision as well, but where Disney Plus really shines is their wealth of archived content: Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck cartoons from the 30’s and 40’s, and all those classic animated feature films. In a year devoid of vacations and our weekly trips to the movie theater, this streaming service has been almost our only entertainment outlet. (I’m not really sure you can count the drive-through car wash.) We plan to watch Flora and Ulysses, Raya and the Last Dragon, Luca, and maybe even The Jungle Cruise on Disney Plus when they premiere. Because this isn’t over yet.

Thirty-six Churn Dash Blocks

 

Idaho has been running a state lottery since 1989. Since then, it’s paid out more $2.6 billion in prizes to players. The lottery has earned Idaho roughly twice that much. Most of the money is used to support the public school system. The rest is put into the permanent building fund for state operated facilities like colleges and universities. Retailers receive a 5% commission on each ticket they sell, and they’re also given a percentage of the winnings from those tickets. So, the lottery also benefits local businesses. Yes, it’s a tax on the gullible. But someone has to win, right? Brad Moss, a business owner in Meridian has actually won six times. Last week hit his biggest jackpot: $250,000. He says he plans to use the money to fund his daughter’s future education. The IRS will take at least 25% of that, and Idaho will want at least 13% back. But he’ll still have some left over.

Night at the Symphony

 

“The latter days are not a time to fear and tremble. They are a time to be believing and remember our covenants. I have spoken here of heavenly help, of angels dispatched to bless us in time of need. But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case, one of them consented to marry me. Indeed, heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind.” – Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Another Cottage

 

All my kids went through periods – some of them pretty intense – of being picky about what they ate. I didn’t do the “don't leave the table until your plate's clean” thing, mostly because I suspected in a battle of wills I might not win. But I did try to discourage wasted food. They all seemed to be pretty good at getting enough grains, dairy, fruits and even protein. But I worried about getting them to eat enough veg. I tried to make it fun; I made landscapes or portraits on their plates with brightly colored cut vegetables and ranch dressing. If that didn’t work, I got sneaky. I slipped spinach or kale into fruit smoothies. I “hid” celery and carrots in chili; mushrooms and red onions in pepperoni pizza; broccoli and peppers in marinara. Did this teach them to be less picky adults? Probably not. But they all made it to adulthood. I’m calling it a win.

Night and Day

 

I miss having a crowd to cook for. Most of my favorite dishes serve a dozen people or more. But these days I’m just cooking for the three of us. So, I’m always happy to discover yummy recipes that won’t leave any leftovers:

 

Blueberry Cake-in-a-Cup

 

2 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup flour

2 tablespoons sugar

1 egg yolk

1 tablespoon milk

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

2 tablespoons blueberries, fresh or frozen

1/4 teaspoon chopped crystallized ginger

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

 

In a large microwave-safe mug, microwave butter until melted. Watch it carefully! Over-nuked butter can explode! Stir in flour, sugar, egg yolk, milk, vanilla and baking powder until blended. Gently fold in blueberries and crystallized ginger and microwave 90 seconds or until cake pulls away from sides. Let stand 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in small bowl combine powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle over cake.

Big Dipper

 

I’d heard of the unrest in Myanmar, and wished I knew more about that part of the world. Until recently, all I could tell you was Myanmar used to be called Burma; it’s near Thailand, which was once Siam; and it was one of the countries hit by the tsunami December 25, 2004. Since then, I’ve learned the last king of Burma was exiled to India. After his death, his family was allowed to return. One of his daughters stayed against the royal family’s wishes, having fallen in love with a handsome gatekeeper. (The more I know about her family history, I'm less surprised she wanted out.) Somehow, no one noticed their mutual attraction until she gave birth to the gatekeeper’s daughter. They didn’t live happily ever after, though. The gatekeeper took the princess’ allowance, leaving her and eleven (?!) children to fend for themselves. I still don’t know about current affairs in Myanmar. But I do have an interesting story.

Candy Stars

On January 14, 68-year-old Cemal Senturk suffered a brain embolism and was taken by an ambulance to the hospital in Trabzon, Turkey. Shortly after the ambulance arrived, Cemal’s little white dog, Boncuk showed up. She waited patiently outside the hospital doors as patients and healthcare workers came and went. Sometimes she would nap in the sunshine. Occasionally she’d accept a little food from the hospital staff. From time to time, Cemal would call her name from his hospital bed and Boncuk would answer with a bark. When Cemal was discharged a week later, Boncuk was still waiting for him. "Everybody noticed the relationship between the dog and her owner,” said Fuat Ugur, the hospital’s communications director. “It makes everybody happy."

Symphony Sampler - Without Borders

 

No one seems to love the weather in February. Even my friends in California and Florida complain about it. But it is a lovely time of year to use the oven.

 

Chicken Chalupas

 

1 package flour tortillas

2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 cup sour cream

1/2 pound grated cheese

1/2 cup sliced black olives

1/2 cup sliced green onions

7 oz. can green chilies diced

1 cup whole kernel corn

Paprika

 

Combine soup, chilies, onion, sour cream, olives, corn and half the cheese. Set aside 1 cup of this mixture. Add chicken to remainder of mixture. Roll chicken mixture into tortillas and place seam-side down in casserole dish. Spoon the reserved soup mixture over tortillas. Top with remaining cheese. Sprinkle with paprika. Cover loosely with foil and bake at 350F for about half an hour. Remove foil, bake about 5-10 minutes longer. Serve hot, with salsa and a tossed salad.

Another Hummingbird

“Unless the way we live draws us closer to our Heavenly Father and to our fellowmen, there will be an enormous emptiness in our lives. It is frightening for me to see, for instance, how the lifestyle of so many today causes them to disengage from their families and their friends and their peers. So often loyalty to family, to community, and to country is pushed aside in favor of other pursuits which are wrongly thought to be productive of happiness when, in fact, selfishness is so often the pursuit of questionable pleasure which passes so quickly. One of the differences between true joy and mere pleasure is that certain pleasures are realized only at the cost of someone else’s pain. Joy, on the other hand, springs out of selflessness and service, and it benefits rather than hurts others.” – Spencer W. Kimball