Halloween Placemat

 

When “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” was released in 1966, nearly everyone who saw it loved it. Everyone, that is, except Ray Bradbury. The legendary science fiction author found the popular Charles M. Schulz/Vince Guaraldi Halloween television special deeply disappointing; a lackluster depiction of one of his favorite holidays. And he decided to do something about it. In 1972, Ray Bradbury wrote “The Halloween Tree,” a fantasy novel that explores ancient Celtic, Egyptian, Greek and Roman cultures and how they helped to shape the way we celebrate Halloween today. For years, Ray Bradbury dreamed of having an actual Halloween Tree in Disneyland, and in 2007 his dream came true. You can find his tree in Frontierland, decorated with pumpkins and twinkling orange lights. “I belong here,” the author said at the tree’s dedication. “I’m glad I’m going to be a permanent part of the spirit of Halloween at Disneyland.” Happy Halloween!

Big Red Heart

 

We try to visit Disney parks when they’re less crowded – not entirely for the reasons you might assume. Sure, the shorter wait times are nice. It’s lovely to find a free table so you can relax while enjoying your Dole whip or churro or corn dog. It’s great to get where you’re going without people literally tripping over the wheelchair. (Why is our chair so hard to see? Do we need to paint it hunter orange?) But the thing we love most to do when we’re in the parks is chat with cast members; something you can’t really do while they’re crazy busy. We ask where they’re from, and what led them to work for the Mouse. They all have amazing stories, and they all seem to love sharing. My favorites: a waitress who grew up in Harrogate, a boat pilot who remembered Brook’s House of Barbecue, a train conductor who was third-generation Disney, and a cashier who serenaded me with, "More I Cannot Wish You."

Concord Grape Juice

 

There probably won’t be a lot of time for piecing quilts this week. Any day now (it may even have happened last night) the temperature will drop below 30F and everything we haven’t already harvested will be toast. I’ve got a bushel of tomatoes to stew and to bottle, bell peppers to roast, and lots of grapes to make into juice and jelly. I promised to mend my daughter’s torn jeans and my granddaughter’s Sunday dress. There are still over a dozen quilts – large and small – waiting to be bound. And then there’s Halloween. We haven’t bought any candy for trick-or-treaters this year, and we don’t intend to. (If I had, it would probably need to be replaced by now anyway.) Instead, we’re treating the neighborhood to a Hallo-weenie roast. Halloween used to be my least favorite day in the whole year. This year, I’m actually looking forward to it.

Thirty-six Butterflies

 

“If we’re not faithful and obedient, we can transform the God-given blessing of prosperity into a prideful curse that diverts and distracts us from eternal truths and vital spiritual priorities. We always must be on guard against a pride-induced and exaggerated sense of self-importance, a misguided evaluation of our own self-sufficiency, and seeking self instead of serving others. As we pridefully focus upon ourselves, we also are afflicted with spiritual blindness and miss much, most, or perhaps all that is occurring within and around us. We cannot look to and focus upon Jesus Christ as the ‘mark’ if we only see ourselves. Such spiritual blindness also can cause us to turn out of the way of righteousness, fall away into forbidden paths, and become lost. As we blindly turn unto our own ways and follow destructive detours, we are inclined to lean upon our own understanding, boast in our own strength, and depend upon our own wisdom.” – Elder David A. Bednar

Large Pine Tree

 

National Pumpkin Day – always October 26 – celebrates our favorite autumn decoration/food. You know pumpkin pie, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and pumpkin bread, but did you know you could bake a casserole INSIDE a pumpkin, and then eat both the casserole AND the pumpkin? There are recipes for pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin jelly rolls filled with cream cheese frosting, and pumpkin snickerdoodles. Two weeks ago, we had pumpkin pecan pancakes with buttermilk dressing, bacon and eggs for breakfast. While you’re scooping out your pumpkin to make a jack-o-lantern, you can wash and save the pumpkin seeds to roast them, coated with sweet, spicy or savory seasoning. We like to add a bit of canned pumpkin and pumpkin spice (it’s really just cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and allspice) to hot cocoa, top it with whipped cream and call it “pumpkin cocoa.” My Halloween decorations are never complete without at least one pumpkin on the doorstep. Here’s wishing you a happy pumpkin day!

Birds in the Air

 

I like traditional Hawaiian sliders, but they’re not a hit with my family. Onion – even onion powder – is unpopular. Some family members avoid Dijon; a few distrust all mustard. A couple won’t touch meat, while several think they haven’t had a meal meat wasn’t included. There’s no way to please everyone, but I keep trying.

 

Cheeseburger Sliders

 

1 pound lean ground beef

16 Hawaiian rolls

16 slices cheddar

8 ounces shredded medium cheddar

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 teaspoon seasoning salt

1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire

1/4 cup mayo

Sesame seeds (Optional, but they make the finished product look cheeseburger-y.)

 

Preheat oven to 350F. Brown and drain beef; stir in seasoning, Worcestershire and mayo. Halve rolls and lay bottom half on cooking sheet. Top with sliced cheese. Spread ground beef evenly over slices. Sprinkle shredded cheese over beef. Cover with remaining roll halves. Brush tops with melted butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake fifteen minutes, until cheese melts.

Turquoise House

 

We only planted two cherry tomato plants this year, but a third cherry tomato plant “volunteered” alongside them. The combination was about two and a half plants more than we needed. We would never have been able to keep up without recipes like this one. It uses up lots of tomatoes, without the need for peeling or seeding them.

 

Slow Cooker Cherry Tomato Marinara

 

8 cups cherry tomatoes stems removed

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon salt

 

Place all ingredients into slow cooker and stir. Cover and cook on low 5 hours, or high for two and a half. Process with an immersion blender until smooth. Use promptly, or freeze to use later. Makes about 6 cups marinara.

Halloween Pillowcases

 

A few weeks ago, we took our youngest grandchild out for lunch. She’s six, and she seems determined to survive on chicken nuggets and catsup. We were only a block from Raising Cane’s, so we headed there. Cane’s has the best chicken fingers I’ve ever tasted, and really decent (if a tad sweet) lemonade. But they only have one sauce. It’s a lot like fry sauce, with something extra; maybe soy sauce and/or coarse black pepper. Luckily for us, there was catsup on demand for the fries, and they didn’t seem to mind that she used it on her chicken. The best thing about the visit was the restrooms. There were three, and all three were unisex. Each was a room with four walls and a locking door – no creepy stalls. Each had a toilet, sink, a grab rail on the wall, a changing table, and room for a wheelchair. Brilliant!

Two Cactus Flowers

In 2011, a Taiwanese woman named Lin Xiaofen was in a bad car accident. Doctors were able to save her, but it took ten units of blood and two units of platelets. More than a decade later, she told her boyfriend Lian the whole story. He let her know he was a regular blood donor. What are the odds, they wondered, that he was among the people whose blood saved her, long before they’d even met? Apparently, in Taiwan, you can actually look that sort of thing up. Here, when I donate, I’m told where my blood was used, but nothing more specific than that. As it turned out, Lian was one of Lin’s donors. (One of at least a dozen, as you can only donate one unit of whole blood every 56 days.) Now, Lian uses the story to encourage others to donate blood. “You might have a chance to save your future wife,” he says.

Thirty-two Butterflies

 

“If you want to nourish a tree, you don’t splash water on the branches. You water the roots. Similarly, if you want the branches of your testimony to grow and bear fruit, nourish the roots. If you’re uncertain about a particular doctrine, seek clarity with faith in Jesus Christ. Seek to understand His sacrifice for you, His love for you, His will for you. Follow Him in humility. The branches of your testimony will draw strength from your deepening faith in Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son. For example, if you want a stronger testimony of the Book of Mormon, focus on its witness of Jesus Christ. Notice how the Book of Mormon testifies of Him, and how it invites and inspires you to come unto Him. If you’re seeking a more meaningful experience in Church meetings or in the temple, try looking for the Savior in the sacred ordinances we receive there. Find the Lord in His holy house.” – Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Small Pine Tree

 

Lots of folk had to be rescued after Hurricane Helene last month. But not all those saved were humans. Wednesday, October 2, after waters had receded, Kingsport Tennessee Fire Department and Murfreesboro Police were searching for casualties along the Nolichucky River. Kari – the bloodhound helping them – suddenly started barking and led them to a tree where a dog named Athena was stranded 20 feet in the air. Kari’s handler, Office Angela Alexander said, “The funny thing about Kari is she’s not fond of other dogs. This time it was different. I'm so proud of her helping to find something good in all the devastation caused by the flooding.” The police department posted a video of Athena’s rescue, where Athena’s owners saw it. Allie and TJ Faulkner and their kids lost everything in the flood; even their house had floated away. They said getting Athena back was “a light at the end of a tunnel.”

One Dozen Tissue Holders

 

Watching a funny movie and laughing out loud can release endorphins. It’s why we say, “laughter is the best medicine.” But crying at a great movie can be good for you, too. It’s cathartic, and it really can make you feel better afterwards. Here are a few of our favorite movies that make us cry:

Inside Out – When Bing Bong says, “Take her to the moon for me.”

Little Women – There are at least seven movies. Choose your favorite.

Marley and Me, Old Yeller, A Dog's Purpose, et al – “Remember the funny movie where the dog dies?”

My Girl – “He can’t see without his glasses.”

Steel Magnolias – This one might only resonate with mothers and daughters.

Titanic – Three hours and 15 minutes, but worth it.

Toy Story 2 – The song, “When She Loved Me.”

Toy Story 3 – The furnace scene, but also the end sequence, when Andy says goodbye.

Up – The opening sequence never fails to turn on the waterworks.

Blue House

 

In the 1980s, Bear Country was a dead-end in Disneyland, just past the Haunted Mansion. Its only attraction was the Country Bear Jamboree. Consequently, Bear Country was often vacant. Imagineers decided to add a log flume ride to attract guests, and they chose Song of the South, one of Disney’s most acclaimed films, as its theme. (Song of the South had been nominated for a best musical scoring Oscar. “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” had won for best original song, and James Baskett had won an honorary award for his portrayal of Uncle Remus.) Bear Country was renamed Critter Country in anticipation of the new ride. Splash Mountain was one of Disneyland’s most popular attractions from 1989 to 2023, with notoriously long wait times. A month from now, it will reopen as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. If you still want to get wet while listening to “How Do You Do?” “Everybody’s Got a Laughing Place” and “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah,” you’ll have to visit Disneyland Tokyo.

Ravenchase

 

When they designed Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Disney imagineers wanted to add a restaurant. The ride was meant to look like a posh 1930’s Hollywood Towers Hotel. What could be more natural than an in-house hotel eatery? In the end, though, the idea was nixed. There were concerns the smell of food being cooked and served might mask odors accompanying a possible ride malfunction. Instead, a menu for a gala (imaginary) feast was placed between the ride exit and the gift shop. The menu no longer exists in Disney California Adventures, because this ride is now Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission Breakout. It might still be in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but I’d have to cross a few time zones to find out. There ARE Disney rides with restaurants: Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean has The Blue Bayou, and in Florida Living with the Land has The Garden Grill and It’s a Small World has Pinocchio Village Haus.

Four Barrel Cacti

 

It’s a Small World was part of UNICEF pavilion in the New York World’s Fair in 1964. It was reinstalled as an E-ticket ride in Disneyland’s Fantasyland in 1966. May 28 of that year, Disneyland celebrated the re-opening of It’s a Small World with costumed dancers from all over the world. Children from several different countries poured water from their homelands into the “Seven Seas Canal.” Ed Morgan and Carl Baker had been working round the clock for days to get the ride operational in time. Once the ride was running, they took a short break. They came back to a scene of utter chaos. The water had drained, and VIPs were stranded in little boats throughout the ride. It seems a cast member had tried to jump the canal and landed on the main stilling well, crushing it. It took Ed and Carl 45 minutes to stabilize the system and the “happiest cruise that ever sailed” was back on track.

Thirty Butterflies

 

“One characteristic of Jesus’s divine charity was His obedience to every word that proceeded from God’s mouth, always aligning His will and behavior with that of His Heavenly Father. When He arrived on the Western Hemisphere following His Resurrection, Christ said to the Nephites: ‘Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father from the beginning.’ Of the myriad ways He could have introduced Himself, Jesus did so by declaring His obedience to the will of the Father—never mind that not long before in His hour of greatest need, this Only Begotten Son of God had felt totally abandoned by His Father. Christ’s charity—evident in complete loyalty to divine will—persisted and continues to persist, not just through the easy and comfortable days but especially through the darkest and most difficult ones.” – Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Four Gold Sawtooth Stars

 

Between 1908 to 1942, Sears sold more than 70,000 homes in North America. Not finished houses; they were built-it-yourself deals. Think Ikea dressers on steroids. You’d flip through their catalog and choose a floorplan from more than 370 designs in a wide range of sizes and architectural styles. You’d place your order, and everything you needed to build the home would arrive by railroad car. You could then hire professionals to complete the project, but more often than not all your family, friends and neighbors would just show up and pitch in. They were called Sears Modern Homes, because most of them included the very latest in comfort and convenience: central heating, indoor plumbing, even telephones and electricity. Sears offered financing; usually 5- or 15-year mortgages at around 7 percent. So many people defaulted on these loans during the Great Depression, the company had to liquidate $11 million in bad debt. Sears stopped offering mortgages in 1933.

Last Border

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. It’s marked by an elaborate and ancient ritual, including a 25-hour fast and intense prayer. Yom Kippur always occurs ten days after Rosh Hashanah, Jewish New Year. So, Yom Kippur happens on a different day every year. In 2028, it will fall on Thursday, October 19. The following year, it will be Tuesday, September 18. This year’s Yom Kippur starts today at sunset and ends with tomorrow’s sunset. Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah are the only Jewish holidays that don’t commemorate historical events. Much of the day is spent in meditation, as well as reading from the Torah and reciting penitential prayers. During Yom Kippur, the faithful set aside their daily work, so they may focus on asking for forgiveness from God and from one another, and also so they may forgive their neighbors and seek reconciliation. 

 

Green House

 

Rhinos are among Earth’s largest land mammals. A male white rhino can weigh 5,000 pounds. Rhinos have thick, heavy bodies and relatively short legs, but they can run 30 MPH; faster than the fastest humans. Rhinoceros comes from the Greek word rhinokerōs, meaning “nose horn.” The “horn” is actually made of keratin, not bone. So, it’s like each rhino has a huge, pointy fingernail growing on its snout. This week I learned about two UK zoos, Woburn Safari Park and West Midlands Safari Park, who traded rhinos. Granville, a captive-born male, went to Bedfordshire, while Bonnie, a 2-ton female headed to West Midlands. Bonnie has a sister in West Midlands, though the two had never met before the trade. The swap was to provide Woburn Safari Park with a healthy young male to help preserve the genetic diversity of the species. Which brings me to another fun rhino fact: the collective noun for rhino is “crash.”

Striped Star

 

My grandma used to make “salads” like this one. It’s really more of a dessert, but who’s judging? If the salad police come after me, I’ll just explain it has unsweetened pineapple, fresh strawberries, and cottage cheese (after I’ve stashed the Cool Whip and Jell-O containers in the bottom of the trash).

 

Strawberry Cottage Cheese Salad

 

20 ounces crushed pineapple, drained

6 ounces strawberry gelatin mix

24 ounces small curd cottage cheese

16 ounces frozen whipped topping

16 ounces fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

 

Mix pineapple, gelatin mix and cottage cheese together in a large bowl. Fold in whipped topping and about half the sliced strawberries. Garnish with remaining strawberries. Cover and refrigerate until completely chilled. Serves about 16.

Two Jade Plants

 

We’ve lived in our home more than a year. One reason we chose this place is the lovely sun room the previous owners built, with huge windows opening on the back garden. As we were moving in last fall, a confused dove flew right into one of them. Last week as I was enjoying the sun room, a robin did the same thing. The robin survived. The dove did not. So, I was especially interested to learn about Chicago’s McCormick Place, the largest convention center in North America. In a single night during last year’s autumn migration, over a thousand birds fatally crashed into the building’s windows. This year, McCormick Place spent $1.2 million to install an adhesive film covered with tiny white dots on the window/walls. The dots are invisible to humans, but should help birds distinguish between solid glass and open air. With any luck, we’ll find a similar solution on a much more modest budget.

Butterflies En Pointe

 

Here are a few of my favorite Russell M. Nelson quotes:

"The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives."

"We need to put God in the forefront of everything."

"True disciples of Jesus Christ are willing to stand out, speak up, and be different from the people of the world."

"The Lord will make much more out of our lives than we can by ourselves."

"The more we learn about the Savior's ministry and mission, the more we realize how imperfect the world was and is."

"Our theology begins with Heavenly Parents. Our highest aspiration is to be like them."

"True love is a process, not an event. It is not the proclamation of a promise. It's the constant rendition of a commitment."

"As you choose to live on the Lord's side, you're never alone."

Gold Sawtooth Star

 

If you want to increase your endorphin levels, there are several things you can try:

Go outside and get some exercise.

Expose yourself to a little sun light. (This becomes more important as days grow shorter.)

Eat more complex carbohydrates, like whole grains and vegetables.

Choose foods with tryptophan, like turkey, eggs, nuts and salmon.

Reduce stress.

Pet your dog or cat.

Hug a loved one.

Make a donation to a good cause, or help someone in need.

Practice yoga or meditation.

Listen to your favorite music (or make some music of your own).

Get a massage, or give one.

Give someone a complement, or tell someone you love them.

Spend time with your friends.

October 5th is Do Something Nice Day. It occurs to me that this list is just full of nice things you can do. Isn’t it gratifying that doing something nice can also make you feel good?

Feeling Crabby

 

I have friends who quilt on demand. When they learn a friend’s expecting a baby, their niece just announced her wedding date, or their grandson is about to graduate from high school, they get started. They consult with the recipient about bed size and color preferences, and they whip up something in time for the big day. I’ve done my share of these, but most of the quilts I make are very different. I’ll stumble on a pattern or a print that catches my eye and I’ll buy it, not knowing what the end goal is. It may sit a while – sometimes years – until inspiration strikes. Usually, by the time I’ve finished the top, I know exactly what I’ll do with the finished product. I’m still unsure about this one. It could hang in next year’s Garden of Quilts, or be donated to Quilts of Valor or Festival of Trees. Or I may just keep it for myself.

Yellow House

 

 "All of us, at some time or other, need help. Whether we're giving or receiving help, each of us has something valuable to bring to this world. That's one of the things that connects us as neighbors –  in our own way, each one of us is a giver and a receiver."

"As human beings, our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is. Each of us has something no one else has – or ever will have – something inside that’s unique to all time. It's our job to encourage each other to discover that uniqueness and provide ways of developing its expression."

"It's not the honors and the prizes and the fancy outsides of life which ultimately nourish our souls. It's the knowing we can be trusted, we never have to fear the truth, the bedrock of our very being is good stuff." – Fred Rogers

Chickadee

 

Honey-Mustard Dipping Sauce

 

1/3 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons yellow mustard

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (We like the smooth variety, but coarse mustard works, too.)

1 tablespoon honey

 

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and serve. This is a great dip for chicken fingers, chicken nuggets, grilled chicken, French fries, sausage bites, steak bites, hot fresh pretzels, and cut fresh vegetables. It also makes a terrific marinade for grilled salmon, chicken or pork, and a wonderful spread for burgers, wraps and sandwiches. You can even use it as dressing for a green salad! In a sealed container, this sauce will keep in the refrigerator for up to five days. This recipe serves 6, but it can be doubled or tripled as necessary. 

Two Aloes

 

Heather ALWAYS knows what day it is, and she sees it as her job to keep us informed. Yesterday she reminded us today would be the first day of October, and there are certain things expected of us because of it:

Halloween is coming, and we’ll be required to search the garage for the inflatable dragon and set it up.

Cool weather is on the way, so she’ll be wanting her long-sleeved shirts, especially the orange one that says, “BOO!” (We binned the shirt over a decade ago, but she never stops asking for it.)

She’ll need Halloween socks. (Way ahead of her here. I ordered a pair of candy corn socks last week.)

She also expects a Halloween-themed notebook and pumpkin bubble bath. (Office Depot no longer carries composition notebooks with skulls on the cover; Philosophy discontinued their pumpkin icing bubble bath. Looks like I have my work cut out for me.)