Plaid Pine Tree

 

“God loves us as we are, but He also loves us too much to leave us this way. Growing up unto the Lord is what mortality is all about. Change is what Christ’s Atonement is all about. Not only can Christ resurrect, cleanse, console, and heal us, but through it all, He can transform us to become more like Him. Forsaking sin and having no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually are lifetime pursuits. Life is like a cross-country road trip. We can’t reach our destination on one tank of gas. We must refill the tank over and over. Taking the sacrament is like pulling into the gas station. As we repent and renew our covenants, we pledge our willingness to keep the commandments, and God and Christ bless us with the Holy Spirit. In short, we promise to press forward on our journey, and God and Christ promise to refill the tank.” – Bradley R. Wilcox

Balkan Puzzle

 

Ask anyone, and you’ll get the same answer: Vincent Van Gogh was the poster child for tortured artists. You’ll hear about his ear, and about his suicide, and that no one appreciated his art until after his death. Okay, that last part’s the truth. But nearly everything you KNOW about Van Gogh might not be. He did suffer from poor mental health, which he probably made worse by ignoring his physical health. He spent time in a mental institution where the chief remedies were rest and long baths. Many of his most beloved works were created there. Paul Gauguin – noted artist and swordsman – was staying with Van Gogh when Vincent lost some (or all) of his right ear. Some scholars suspect this was an accident (or altercation) involving Gauguin's saber. Van Gogh’s death might also have been an accident, too; he may have been unintentionally shot by a neighborhood teen. The point is no one’s EVER as two-dimensional as they seem.

Bunny Ears Cactus

 

This recipe serves 6 to 8 people. (Probably more, if you have several side dishes.) There were only three of us Sunday before last, so we halved it. I happened to have a couple of left-over baked potatoes on hand, so I sliced and added them an hour before serving.

 

Honey-Parmesan Pork Roast

 

3-pound boneless pork roast

2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup honey

3 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons dried basil

2 tablespoons minced garlic

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

 

Place roast in slow cooker. Whisk together remaining ingredients and add to cooker. Cover and cook on low 7 to 8 hours. About an hour before dinner, remove roast and carefully slice across the grain. Return slices, baste and continue cooking about an hour.

Three-Inch Hourglass Variations

 

I love volunteering at the hospital, but it really wipes me out. When I get home, the last thing I want to do is stand in the kitchen for an hour or more, fixing dinner. Thank heaven for dump-in-the-crock-pot recipes! We get a terrific meal, and I’m not to tired to eat!

 

Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken

 

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried parsley

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 tablespoons butter

15 ounces chicken broth

6 tablespoons lemon juice

4 cloves garlic, minced

Zest of 1 lemon

3 tablespoons diced onion

8 ounces cream cheese

 

Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low 5 to 6 hours. About half an hour before serving, remove chicken, shred it and return it to the cooker. Serve over baked or roasted potatoes, rice, quinoa or pasta. 

Valentine Hearts Table Runner

 

Mel Blanc, the voice of Buggs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig and Woody Woodpecker, was asked to provide the voice of Gideon the Cat in Disney’s Pinocchio. Several lines of dialog were recorded for the part of the loveable bad guy’s sidekick. “The Man of a Thousand Voices” decided to portray Gideon as a drunk, a bit like a character he’d created in 1937 for the short, “Picador Porky.” But Walt disapproved, and instead made Gideon mute. The only part of Mel Blanc’s performance you’ll hear is three inebriated hiccups toward the end of the movie. Another famous voice actor, Thurl Ravenscroft, was also involved in Pinocchio. The voice of Tony the Tiger and the singer of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” was also Monstro the Whale. No, Monstro has no lines, but he roars and he wheezes. Walt himself voiced the four Russian marionettes in Pinocchio, who only shout, “Hey!” Pinocchio was released in theaters February 23, 1940. 

Cock's Comb

 

You’ve decided to send an email to an elected official. Good for you! Before beginning, there are a few steps to follow. First, put your name and address at the top. Your representative will want to know you actually live in his/her district before hearing what you have to say. Second, be brief. Members of congress and their staff are busy people; respect their time and patience. Be clear about your position in as few words as possible. Make sure your message is timely. If the vote on a critical issue was last week, writing about it today is a waste of energy. Be civil. If you can’t express yourself without being vulgar, blasphemous, obscene, abusive, insulting or threatening, step away from your laptop until you can. Last (and most important), proofread. Poor grammar and sloppy spelling can call your overall judgement in question. Indeed, ignoring any of these steps could prevent your message from ever being heard.

Nine Valentine Hearts

 

“It has been almost 45 years since my mother and I first learned the joy and power of having faith in Christ. It was because of their faith in Christ that the Lopez family shared their new faith with me. It was because of their faith in Christ that these two missionaries left their homes in the United States to find my mother and me. It was the faith of all these dear friends that planted a mustard seed of faith in us that has since grown into a mighty tree of eternal blessings. During these blessed years, we have known, as President Russell M. Nelson declared: ‘Everything good in life—every potential blessing of eternal significance—begins with faith. Allowing God to prevail in our lives begins with faith that He is willing to guide us. True repentance begins with faith that Jesus Christ has the power to cleanse, heal, and strengthen us.’” - Elder Patricio M. Giuffra

Indian Puzzle

 

The other day, I read a story of a Brazilian named Jose who lost his black-and-white spotted dog, Ikki. Jose would walk with Ikki trailing behind. One day Jose returned from his walk, but Ikki didn't. Two days later, Jose discovered an online post of a found dog. Jose drove to collect Ikki, who seemed overjoyed to be reunited. A few more days pass, and Jose realizes the spots on his “found” dog don’t match photos he'd taken of Ikki. Another Internet search pulled up a post of another dog. This one really was Ikki. By then, Jose’s family was fond of the imposter and kept him, too. Happy ending, right? A few things keep bothering me. Don’t they have microchips in Brazil? Or collars? What kind of dog owner walks his dog without a leash – without even watching the dog? What kind of dog lover doesn’t recognize his own pet? And is someone out there missing the second dog?

Fairy Castle Cacti

 

Americans don’t like being told what to do. This dislike occasionally leads us to avoid doing things in our best interest. When I was a child, cars didn’t come with seat belts. When they did, there was no law mandating their use. For a long time, people argued: “The choice to wear a belt is a personal right.” “Being thrown clear of an accident may be safer than being strapped in a car.” “Wearing seat belts are detrimental to your health!” Buckling up doesn’t guarantee you’ll survive every accident. But I think no one today believes they’re safer without one, or that their child is better off without restraints. Every state has mandatory vaccinations – for children. We seem fine with that. We make all sorts of decisions on behalf of our kids to keep them safe. We just need to extend that same care and stewardship to ourselves and each other. If you’re not vaccinated yet, fix that. And remember to buckle up.

Sundial

 

Around the year 40 BCE, Julius Caesar consulted with the Alexandrian astronomer Sosigenes to come up with a more accurate calendar than the one Rome had been using. The result, the Julian calendar, was in use (with certain adjustments) until 1752. (The Julian calendar had leap years, but no February 29. Instead, it had February 23rd twice! That had to be pretty confusing.) In 1752, Great Britain officially adopted the Gregorian calendar. At the time, the discrepancy between the two calendars was eleven days. George Washington was born February 11, 1732. When he was twenty, as a British subject, his birthday was changed to February 22. There is evidence to suggest he celebrated both birthdays. (I can’t honestly blame him. If you had two birthdays every year, wouldn’t you have cake and ice cream twice?) Today, the difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars is thirteen days. In the year 2100, it will be two weeks.

Four Hearts

 

I’d had Grandma’s rocking chair for many years; it was in dire need of repair and reupholstering the whole time. I always assumed I’d fix it up and enjoy it several more years, but when I consulted a professional, I was told it was too far gone. Replacing it became the next project. I scouted furniture stores for YEARS. I finally found a lovely wooden rocker a few days after Thanksgiving. Our family has a moratorium on buying for oneself between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It lets us focus time and money on gifts for other people, and gives them a chance to get us what we’d really like. Of course, after Christmas the chair was gone. I asked the store to call when a new one came in. Last week I texted the family to let them know I finally have my Amish rocker, and the spell checker changed it to Amish rocket. Which, YouTube assures me, is a thing. Now I want that, too.

Tulip Block

 

Some slow cooker recipes are no work at all. You dump the ingredients in the pot, cover and cook a few (or several) hours, and serve. Others have you chopping, browning, etc. before the slow cooker comes into play. This one has most of the work at the other end.

 

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

 

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 tomato, peeled, seeded and diced

8 to 10 ounces enchilada sauce (We used red, but green works, too.)

 

Place all ingredients in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low about four hours. Remove and shred chicken. Return to pot and continue cooking another 30 minutes. Serve with soft tortillas or crispy taco shells, shredded cabbage or lettuce, chopped tomatoes, olives, onions, salsa, avocado, limes, rice, beans, cheese and sour cream.

Valentine Heart

 

“Our belief in divine inspiration gives Latter-day Saints a unique responsibility to uphold and defend the United States Constitution and principles of constitutionalism wherever we live. We should trust in the Lord and be positive about this nation’s future. We must pray for the Lord to guide and bless all nations and their leaders. This is part of our article of faith. Being subject to presidents or rulers of course poses no obstacle to our opposing individual laws or policies. It does require that we exercise our influence civilly and peacefully within the framework of our constitutions and applicable laws. On contested issues, we should seek to moderate and unify. We should learn and advocate the inspired principles of the Constitution. We should seek out and support wise and good persons who will support those principles in their public actions. We should be knowledgeable citizens who are active in making our influence felt in civic affairs.” – President Dallin H. Oaks

Triple Hearts

 

This recipe turned out a bit soupier than I’d expected, but there were no complaints. There weren’t any leftovers, either. I’ve seen several Alfredo recipes that have the pasta cooking in the slow cooker along with the sauce. That might be less work, but it seems a bit risky to me. Too short a cooking time, and you have crunchy pasta. Too long, and you have mush.

 

Slow Cooker Sausage Alfredo

 

1/2 pound sweet pork or chicken Italian sausage

1 tomato, peeled, seeded and chopped

1/2 cup heavy cream

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup diced onion

 

Brown sausage in pan; drain and add to slow cooker. Dump in remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on low 2 to 3 hours. Stir and serve over cooked pasta. (Fettucine is lovely, but penne and farfalle are good, too.) 

Aloe Vera

 

Some six or seven years ago, a dear friend gave me an aloe vera plant. It had outgrown its pot and was prone to tipping over. I gave it a sunny spot near the hot tub, where it thrived for several years. That plant sprouted “children,” and in time its children had babies of their own. Three of these share a pot in my kitchen window. They’re actually starting to take over that space, so it may be time to separate them and find them new homes. I put them here in the first place because the gel inside aloe vera leaves is good for burns, and the kitchen is where burns are most likely to happen. But I think I’ve used these plants more for sunburns than for anything else. I’ve heard aloe vera is edible; that you can use it in soups or stews, salads or smoothies. Maybe, instead of repotting and rehoming them, I should harvest!

Three-Inch Diamond Stars

 

About two years ago, Matt replaced my car radio with a DVD player. (Thank you!) Now, wherever we go, we’re watching Pixar movies. Or at least Heather is. I have to watch the road. We don’t drive a lot, so it takes us about two weeks to get through a two-hour movie. When you only LISTEN to movies, you tend to hear gems you barely noticed while WATCHING. Here’s what I noticed while listening to Ratatouille last week:

Dad: We look out for our own kind, Remy. When all is said and done, we're all we've got.

Remy: No.

Dad: What?

Remy: No. Dad, I don't believe it. You're telling me, that the future is - can only be - more of this?

Dad: This is the way things are. You can't change nature.

Remy: Change is nature, Dad. The part we can influence. And it starts when we decide.

Dad: Where are you going?

Remy: With luck, forward.

Bow Ties

 

The Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show on this day in 1964. I don't think I watched it. I was four and a half, so I don’t really remember. But I looked it up. The Ed Sullivan Show aired at 8:00 Sunday nights on CBS. Disney’s Wonderful World of Color (which I actually DO remember watching) was on NBC Sunday nights from 7:30 until 8:30. The nursing home residents I entertain on Thursday afternoons were adults when the Beatles took the music world by storm. Many of them had teenage kids at the time. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised to find that none of them were Beatles fans. When I play Beatles’ music for them on the piano – I Want to Hold Your Hand or All You Need is Love – they say they don’t recognize the songs. Either they’re all in complete denial, or Beatles’ tunes just don’t sound the same without John, Paul, George and Ringo. 

Red and Brown Eccentric Star

 

Sure, you can make corn bread from a mix, but this is SO much better. The secret is stone-ground cornmeal. Regular cornmeal has had its germ removed for a longer shelf life. Stone-ground cornmeal must be stored in the refrigerator, but it has a nutty taste and crunchy texture you won’t get from a mix.

 

World’s Best Corn Bread

 

1 2/3 cups stone-ground cornmeal

1 2/3 cups white flour

1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoons (This isn’t a typo) baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 2/3 cups milk

4 eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons melted butter

 

Stir first five ingredients together in a large bowl. In a medium bowl, combine milk, eggs and melted butter. Pour the wet mixture into the dry one. Stir until just combined; don’t over mix. Pour into buttered 9” baking pan and bake at 375F for half an hour. Serve warm with butter and honey.

Songbird Cabin

 

“Part of enduring well consists of being meek enough, amid our suffering, to learn from our relevant experiences. Rather than simply passing through these things, they must pass through us and do so in ways which sanctify these experiences for our good. Thereby, our empathy, too, is enriched and everlasting. Thus, life is carefully designed to produce for us, if we are willing, a harvest of relevant and portable experience. But there is such a short growing season! The fields must be worked intensively amid droughts, late springs, and early frosts. For the disobedient and despairing who refuse to plant, plow, or harvest, theirs is not simply a 'winter of discontent' but a despair for all seasons. The indifferent and lackluster who work only on the surface of life will harvest little. Only for the perspiring and anxiously engaged faithful will the harvest be manifold.” - Elder Neal A. Maxwell

Two Little Cedar Tree Blocks

 

This is as foolproof a recipe as I’ve ever seen. If you’re out of bacon, diced ham will do. You can add a can of kidney, pinto, white or lima beans for variety. Substitute honey or maple syrup for the brown sugar. Out of yellow onion or yellow mustard? Red onions or shallots, Dijon or spicy brown will work just fine.

 

Slow Cooker BBQ Baked Beans

 

8 ounces bacon

55 ounces canned baked beans

1 yellow onion, minced

1/2 cup barbecue sauce

1 tablespoon brown sugar

2 tablespoon yellow mustard

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

 

Slice bacon into 1” pieces. Pan fry until HALFWAY done; add to slow cooker. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on low about 5 hours. You may want to stir a few times towards the end of the cooking time, in case your slow cooker has a “hot spot.” Serve warm or cold, with anything off the grill.

Sweetheart

 

Every year since the early eighties, I’ve followed the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) awards. The Caldecott Medal is given to the previous year’s best picture book, and the Newbery goes to the best contribution in children’s literature. A day or two after the award winners are announced in late January, I show up at my favorite book store (It used to be Borders, then B. Dalton, now Barnes & Noble) and pick up the new Caldecott book. I’ve read most of the Newbery winners, but I usually borrow them from the library. Last year’s winners weren’t in the library or the bookstore until mid-February; victims of paper shortages, hiring challenges, and transportation issues. I ended up ordering through Amazon and receiving my package just after Valentine’s Day. This year it’s even worse. I’ll be lucky to see Jason Chin’s “Watercress” before the end of March. And it’s costing me twice as much.

Red and Black Churn Dash

 

Several of my neighbors complain that our recyclables only get picked up every other week. A walk around the neighborhood on trash day shows most of the bins are overflowing. But it isn’t hard to see much of what they toss in recycling bins doesn’t belong there. We can only recycle three things: corrugated cardboard (not newspapers or cereal boxes), plastic jugs and bottles with necks (not plastic food containers or bags) and metal food and beverage cans (not Styrofoam or glass). Everything should be rinsed and flattened before being placed in the bin. If they actually read and followed these directions, there would be more than enough room in their bins. Better yet, they could choose not to buy so many things in throw-away containers. Even when we think we’re helping the planet, there’s collateral damage. Rinsing plastic in a drought makes no sense. And recycling trucks and plants run on fossil fuel. 

Framed Heart

 

Fifteen random facts about me:

America’s my country. Disneyland’s my home town.

I can touch my nose with my tongue. You don’t want to see it.

I’m 4'9", which means I’m a midget.

I’ve taught classes on nearly every instrument in the orchestra.

You can try beating me at word games. You won’t succeed.

I like dogs better than I like cats. Or people.

Patchwork quilting relaxes me: it's cheaper than therapy, and warmer.

I don’t drink coffee, tea, alcohol, or soda.

Dark chocolate’s my weakness, on berries, caramel, nuts or marzipan.

I seldom have trouble falling asleep. Or waking up.

I’ve staged dozens of theatrical productions, in every capacity.

I love pajamas. If the world was truly civilized, we’d wear them 24/7.

I like four seasons, but two last longer than necessary.

I can bake a bread, grow tomatoes and breed hedgehogs.

I knew how to milk cows and clean fish, but I’ve conveniently forgotten.

Two Whirling Geese Blocks

 

Last week we had Brussels sprouts as a side dish, coarsely chopped and pan-fried with olive oil, salt and pepper. They were delicious, but they left a horrid smell behind! A scented candle made it bearable until bedtime, and baking a batch of ginger cookies the next morning dispelled any traces that were left. Cooking cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, and Brussels sprouts does tend to stink up the place, but there are several ways to avoid it. I could have roasted the veg on an outdoor grill, or opened a window while cooking indoors. I could have chosen a cooking method that took less time, like steaming or microwaving. I could have added a splash of vinegar to the pan as I cooked. I might have served my veg raw, cut in bite-size pieces with a dip, or chopped up in a salad or slaw. I’m saving this to remind myself, but I’ll probably forget. Again.