Follow the Star

 

“If our desires have been for righteousness and our works good—meaning we’ve exercised faith in Jesus Christ, made and kept covenants with God, and repented of our sins—the judgment bar will be pleasing. Conversely, if our desires have been for evil and our works wicked, the judgment bar will be a cause of dread. We’ll have a perfect knowledge, a bright recollection, and a lively sense of our own guilt. We shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would be glad if we could command rocks and mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his presence. We will have our reward of evil. Ultimately, then, we are our own judges. No one will need to tell us where to go. In the Lord’s presence, we will acknowledge what we have chosen to become in mortality and know for ourselves where we should be in eternity.” – Elder David A. Bednar

One Dozen Arrowheads

 

For years, a man had been having an extramarital affair with an Italian woman. One night, she told him she was expecting. Not wanting to ruin his marriage or reputation, he offered her a large sum of money to return to Italy and have the baby in secret. He promised he would send child support until the child turned 18. She agreed, but asked how he’d know when the baby was born. To keep things discreet, he told her, “Just mail me a postcard and write ‘Spaghetti’ on the back. I’ll know what it means and start the payments.” About nine months later, he came home to his very confused wife. “Honey,” she said, “you got the strangest postcard today.” He took it, read it, turned white and fainted. On the card it said: “Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti. Two with meatballs, one without. Send extra sauce.”

The Letter J

 

August 29, 1964, Bob and Norma Clark exchanged vows in a church south of San Francisco in front of their family and friends. Almost five decades later, as the Clarks entered their seventies, they began end-of-life planning. Norma read a WSJ article that said without a marriage license, a surviving spouse can’t collect their partner’s Social Security benefits. That’s when the Clarkes realized they didn’t have a copy of their license. They sent $20 to the San Mateo Hall of Records for a copy. But San Mateo had no record of their union. For some reason, the pastor who’d married them had never filed with the county. In the eyes of the law, Bob and Norma weren’t married. November 21, 2012, Bob and Norma showed up at city hall to make their 48 years of commitment official. Now, when one of them passes, the other is prepared. Memo to me: check our filing cabinet. Just in case.

Six Churn Dash Blocks

 

In the middle of World War II, a small ship carried hundreds of Polish children from the USSR across the Indian Ocean. They were orphaned refugees from Soviet labor camps who’d survived cold, hunger and illness. They hoped to find compassion in British-held India, but one by one, every port turned them away. Maharaja Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, the king of Nawanagar, heard about the orphans and said, “Bring them to me.” He told the children, “You are no longer orphans. You are now Nawanagaris. I am your father.” Beyond simply providing food, clothing and shelter, the Maharaja preserved their cultural identity. He hired Polish teachers and caregivers, and ensured their food, language, traditions and surroundings would be Polish. Many of those children grew to become doctors, teachers, engineers and diplomats; adults shaped by the kindness that once saved them. They remembered the Maharaja as someone who restored their childhood. They called him “Bapu,” their father.

Twenty Rail Fence Blocks

 

January 19, 1937, a 22-year-old Tennessee farmer named Charlie Johns married his neighbor, Eunice Winstead. He paid a Baptist preacher a dollar to perform the ceremony. The only remarkable thing about this wedding was the bride was nine years old. Eunice had lied to her family, telling them she was walking to town to buy a doll. Charlie and Eunice didn’t believe they’d done anything wrong. There were child brides in both their families. They broke no laws. In Tennessee at the time, there was no minimum marriageable age. When the story hit the news, though, the country was outraged. Tennessee (and several other states) quickly changed their laws. The Johns’ stayed married 60 years, until Charlie passed in 1997. They had nine kids, the first one born when Eunice was fourteen. Evelyn, that first child, eloped with a twenty-year-old when she was seventeen. Her dad, who was by this time 44, objected to their marriage. 

One Dozen Nine-Patch Blocks

 

December 20, 1943 Franz Stigler – a German flying ace with 27 victories – pursued a heavily damaged B-17 Flying Fortress limping back from a bombing run on Bremen. At first, Franz intended to destroy the bomber. But through holes literally blown through the plane by flak and machine gun fire, he could see the badly wounded and incapacitated crew. Franz tried to convince the American pilot to land so they could receive medical care. But 2nd Lt. Charles “Charlie” Brown didn’t understand Franz’ gestures. So, Franz escorted the bomber past German-occupied territory. He flew in close formation with the B-17, so anti-aircraft units wouldn’t target it. He then saluted and turned his Messerschmitt for home. In 1986, Charlie decided to look up the pilot who’d spared his life. He found Franz living in Canada. Franz and Charlie became close friends, maintaining their relationship until 2008, when both men passed away.

December Door Banner

 

“In reflecting on the need to cultivate the virtue of temperance, I am reminded of the words of Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel—a woman of remarkable faith who, even after great trials, offered a song of gratitude to the Lord. She said, ‘Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.’ Her song is more than a prayer—it is a self-addressed invitation to act with humility, self-control, and moderation. Hannah reminds us that true spiritual strength is not expressed in impulsive reactions or haughty words but in temperate, thoughtful attitudes aligned with the Lord’s wisdom. As covenant people, we are called to live with our hearts firmly rooted in the sacred promises we have made to the Lord, carefully following the pattern He established through His perfect example.” – Elder Ulisses Soares

Nine Arrowheads

 

At our house, this is usually a main course in late spring or early summer. But this month we served it as a side dish along with baked potatoes. It used up some of the cabbage, carrots and peppers from this year’s vegetable garden.

 

Oriental Salad

 

1 large head cabbage, shredded (You can also use Napa cabbage.)

1 package ramen noodles, slightly crushed

2 large carrots, julienned

1 coarsely chopped bell pepper (any color)

1/2 cup sliced almonds

2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

2 cups chopped cooked chicken (or turkey)

 

Place all ingredients in large bowl.

 

1/2 cup rice vinegar

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup peanut oil

1 teaspoon ginger

2 cloves minced garlic

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon sesame oil

 

Whisk together dressing ingredients in small bowl, then toss with vegetable mixture until well coated. Cover and refrigerate at least an hour.

Twelve Log Cabins

 

Slow Cooker Hawaiian Teriyaki Chicken

 

1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts

2 teaspoons each garlic and ginger, minced

1/4 cup honey

3 tablespoons brown sugar

1/2 cup soy sauce

2 teaspoons sesame oil

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

1/4 cup water

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

2 tablespoons sliced scallions

 

Place chicken in slow cooker. In a small bowl, whisk together garlic, ginger, honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, oil and vinegar. Pour mixture over chicken. Cover and cook on high 3 hours or low for 5-6 hours. Remove chicken and shred. Pour teriyaki sauce from the slow cooker through a strainer into a saucepan. Place saucepan on range over medium high heat and bring to a simmer. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water until dissolved. Pour cornstarch into sauce and bring a boil. Cook for 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened. Pour sauce over chicken and toss to coat. Garnish with sesame seeds and scallions.

Turkey Lurkey

"I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual." —Henry David Thoreau

"Be present in all things and thankful for all things." —Maya Angelou

"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough." —Oprah Winfrey

"If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share." —W. Clement Stone

"Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is."—Ernest Hemingway

"The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest." —William Blake

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." —John F. Kennedy

"When asked if my cup is half-full or half-empty, my only response is I am thankful I have a cup." —Sam Lefkowitz

Sixteen Rail Fence Blocks

 

A physicist walks in to an ice cream parlor, sits down and orders two sundaes. He eats one and offers the other to the empty stool beside him. He does this every day for a week. Finally, the owner comes up and asks, "We’re all wondering: what's the deal with the second ice cream? No one ever comes in with you.” The physicist replies, "Well, quantum mechanics teaches us there's a non-zero possibility through quantum tunneling for particles to spontaneously appear next to me in the form of a woman. Hopefully, she would accept my offer and maybe fall in love with me." The owner says, "Listen, we have girls coming in here every day. How about you just go up to one of them and ask her out? Maybe one of them will fall in love with you." The physicist says, "Yeah right! How likely is it for that to happen?"

Nine Nine-Patch Blocks

 

To be completely honest, we prefer both beef tacos and plain mac & cheese to this recipe. But it does make a nice change. It's easy to double, and it’s delicious with a southwest tossed salad and Texas sheet cake brownies.

 

Slow-Cooker Taco Mac

 

1 pound lean ground beef, browned and drained

1 packet taco seasoning

4 tablespoons butter

2 1/2 cups grated cheddar

10 ounces Ro-Tel drained

2 ounces cream cheese, diced

10.5 ounces condensed cheddar soup

1/2 cup sour cream (plus more for a garnish)

1 cup whole milk

Salt and pepper to taste

2 cups elbow macaroni

 

Dump all ingredients except macaroni into slow cooker; stir to combine. Cover and cook on low 3 hours. Just before serving, cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and toss with beef/cheese sauce. Serve hot, with salsa and extra sour cream. 

Nine Log Cabins

 

“It’s in the nature of a fallen world—where the devil rages and everyone is imperfect—that there will be disappointments and offenses, suffering and sorrow, failure and loss, persecution and injustice. It’s only by looking to God that individuals, families, and even nations can flourish. President Russell M. Nelson taught, ‘Because the Savior, through His infinite Atonement, redeemed each of us from weakness, mistakes, and sin, because He experienced every pain, worry, and burden you’ve ever had, as you truly repent and seek His help, you can rise above this precarious world.’ No promise is repeated more often in Book of Mormon scripture than this: ‘Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; but inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence.’ The lived experience of the Book of Mormon peoples over centuries demonstrates the truth of these words.” - Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Six Arrowheads

 

Last week a seventeen-year-old youth was arrested for vandalizing a golf course in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. He’d done “donuts” with his truck on the green near the second hole at 2:30 in the morning, while his passenger conveniently recorded the event with a cell phone. Employees at the golf course say damage to the course will come at least to $160K. Florida’s growing season is at an end, and temperatures are too low to replant right now. They won’t be able to begin repairing the course until spring. At a news conference, Sheriff Mike Chitwood said the young man had confessed to the crime, explaining they were bored and couldn’t think of anything better to do. Sheriff Chitwood repeated something his grandmother used to say, that nothing good happens after 10:00 p.m. My grandma used to say that, too. In this case, I think she would have added, “If you’re bored at two in the morning, go to bed.”

Four Log Cabins

 

An atheist was walking through the woods when he heard a rustling behind him. He turned and saw a grizzly charging in his direction. He ran as fast as he could, but the bear was faster. The atheist tripped and fell. Suddenly the bear was on top of him, raising its paw to strike a deadly blow. The man cried, "Oh my God!" Time stopped. The bear froze. The forest was silent. A bright light shone from the heavens, and a voice came from above. "For years you’ve denied my existence. You’ve taught others I don't exist. Do you expect me to help you now?” The atheist replied, "It would be hypocritical of me to ask you to treat me as a Christian, but perhaps you could make the BEAR a Christian?" The light disappeared. The bear brought its paws together, bowed its head and spoke: "Lord bless this food, which I am about to receive…”

Five Churn Dash Blocks

 

In November 1970, a 45-foot, eight-ton whale carcass washed up on the beach near Florence, Oregon. The Oregon State Highway Commission decided to used half a ton of dynamite to dispose of it. They assumed the blast would blow it to smithereens. Most of the bits would wash out to sea, and the rest would be devoured by crabs and gulls. They invited the news outlets and public to come watch the spectacle. Things didn’t turn out exactly as planned. Instead of disintegrating the behemoth, the explosion sent huge chunks of rotting blubber and flesh raining down on spectators and vehicles up to a quarter mile away. The blast frightened away the scavengers that were meant to clear away the smelly debris. Most of the whale was left on the beach until heavy machinery was brought to bury it. Today, Oregon’s policy is to either bury beached whales, or just let nature take its course. 

One Dozen Rail Fence Blocks

 

We had this dish Sunday, with mac & cheese, Caesar salad, and a fruit tray. John roasted it in the Traeger, so the house wouldn’t smell of cruciferous vegetables. When dinner was over, we had leftover macaroni, salad and fruit, but no leftover broccoli.

 

Oven-Roasted Broccoli

 

8 cups fresh broccoli florets

1/4 cup olive oil

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

 

Preheat oven to 450F. Grease a jelly roll pan or use silicone liner. Place broccoli in large bowl; toss with olive oil. In a small bowl, stir together seasoning. Sprinkle over broccoli and toss again. Spread broccoli in baking pan. Roast about 15 minutes, or until lightly brown. Serve immediately.

Four Nine-Patch Blocks

 

Last Tuesday we visited the Titanic Exhibit. Most of the stories there we’d heard before, but not this one: Alma Sonne and his companion, Fred Dahle, were heading home along with four other elders—George B. Chambers, Willard Richards, John R. Sayer, and L. J. Shurtliff—after completing their English missions. But when the time came to meet in Southampton, Elder Dahle was delayed. Elder Sonne, who’d convinced Elder Dahle to serve a mission in the first place and had booked their passage on the Titanic, decided they shouldn’t leave without him. Instead, he canceled the reservations so they could depart the next day. Some of the elders were disappointed they wouldn’t be traveling on the Titanic, but they thanked God after they discovered what their outcome might have been. “You saved my life,” Elder Sonne told Elder Dahle. “No,” he replied. “By getting me on this mission, you saved my life.”

Log Cabin

 

“The instrument of truth that brought my healing from the Lord came as pages in a book, yes, the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ! It has been hurled at me that the means by which this book came to be were impractical, unbelievable, embarrassing, even unholy. Now, that is harsh language from anyone who presumes to know the means by which the book came to be, inasmuch as the only description given about those means is that it was translated ‘by the gift and power of God.’ That’s it. That’s all. In any case, the impact of the Book of Mormon in my life is no less miraculous than was the application of spit and dirt placed on the blind man’s eyes. It has been, for me, a rod of safety for my soul, a transcendent and penetrating light of revelation, an illumination of the path I must walk when mists of darkness come.” – Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Four Arrowheads

 

The word “socialism” puzzles me. All my life I’ve heard what a bad thing it is, and I agree it would be terrible for the government (federal, state or civic) to own all things and employ all people. But it seems to me in moderate amounts, it’s actually beneficial. I really like the fact I can call the fire department if my house is burning, or the police department if there’s a break-in. And when they come, they won’t send me a bill. Most public infrastructure – bridges, roads, electricity, water and sewer systems – are owned and operated by the government, and paid for by a combination of taxes and user fees. Likewise most public transportation, like buses, subways and railways. Public schools are socialist programs, as are public parks, prisons, Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, Social Security, FEMA, USPS and even the U.S. military. I wouldn’t want to eliminate any of these. Does that make me a socialist?

Double Quartet

 

Last year, for his seventieth birthday, I bought John a t-shirt saying, “Being 20 in the 70’s was much more fun than being 70 in the 20’s.” He wears it a LOT, and wherever we go, he catches people reading it. Quite often, they’ll stop to say they agree. He wore it again last week, when we were out to dinner. A fellow passing by said, “Oh! You’ve got a Joe Walsh t-shirt!” I looked it up, and he’s right. Joe Walsh, the Eagles guitarist and singer who wrote “Take It Easy,” "Lyin' Eyes" and “Hotel California” has been credited with the quote my husband wears. Joe also said, “People ask if I believe in God, and I kind of have to, because I’m still here. I hadn’t planned to live this long.” And, “You can work on an album forever, but finishing it is a whole different deal.” I can totally relate to that.

Four Churn Dash Blocks

 

Do you know how many noses you have? Unless you’re an extremely unusual person, you’ll probably say you have one. But because human nostrils are separated by a septum (from a Latin word meaning fence, enclosure or wall, essentially “that which separates”) we each effectively have two noses. This separation is what makes it possible for our nostrils to perform independently. Nostrils have two basic functions: taking air in and expelling it. At any given time, one is doing mostly the former, while the other is doing mostly the latter. Every few hours, the right and left sides switch roles. Why would this be a good thing? The nostril with the higher intake flow is filling your lungs and keeping you alive. The one with the lower intake flow may be recovering, rehydrating and making it easier to detect subtle smells. Best of all, having independent nostrils can mean you might still sleep peacefully while one nostril is congested. 

Nine Rail Fence Blocks

 

Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Balsamic Glazed Pork

 

3 pounds pork tenderloin

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1/2 cup water

1 cup brown sugar, packed

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup soy sauce

 

Heat oil in heavy frying pan over medium heat; brown pork roast – about 2 minutes on each side. Add water and browned pork to slow cooker. Cover and cook on low 6 to 8 hours. In medium saucepan, whisk together remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring, until sauce thickens a bit. Pour over pork in slow cooker about an hour before it’s done. Recover and continue cooking one hour. Shred meat before serving with rice, potatoes, or in sandwiches. Makes about 8 generous servings.

Nine Patch

 

This recipe was a clever way to use up leftover hotdog buns. Sure, you have to wake up around 2:00 a.m. to start it (or 4:00 if you set the cooker on high), but I’ve always been an early bird.

 

Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole

 

5 cups bread, cubed

6 large eggs

1 cup half-and-half

1 cup shredded cheddar

1/2 pound cooked, crumbled bacon

1/2 bell pepper, coarsely chopped

 

Line sides of 2.5-quart slow cooker with foil. Coat with cooking spray. In large bowl, beat eggs and half-and-half with whisk. Stir in bacon, bell pepper and half the cheese. Fold in bread; stir to coat. Spoon mixture into slow cooker. Cover and cook on low 4 to 5 hours or on high 2 to 3 hours, until the center is nearly set. Sprinkle with remaining cheese; cover and cook another 10 minutes, until cheese melts. Use knife to loosen and remove foil before serving. Feeds 4 to 6 people. 

Four Magnolias

 

“With each passing year, I feel greater love for our Savior, Jesus Christ, and for His merciful Atonement. His supreme sacrifice, securing victory over death and sin, is the most consequential contribution of all human history. Understanding His divine gift is for me an open-ended heavenly tutorial that will continue beyond the grave. The powerful compassion of the Savior in forgiving sin and in healing the wounds caused by the sins of others is a most miraculous manifestation of the love of God. My desire is to offer hope for those seeking forgiveness for very serious sins and to offer comfort to those seeking healing from the anguishing wounds caused by the serious sins of others. Healing and forgiveness are each found in their fulness in the atoning love of Jesus Christ.” – Elder Neil L. Andersen

Arrowhead

 

There are similar block patterns from the mid- to late-1800’s, but I believe the first block with this name and look was published in 1941. I suspect that pattern was a series of printed templates the reader was expected to trace and use to hand-cut (with scissors) bits of fabric before sewing them together. In 2011, Anita Grossman Solomon published a simplified method for constructing this block in Quiltmaker Magazine. Anita’s idea was to stack two pieces of fabric and then rotary-cut them in half, diagonally, twice. Then, each triangular piece would be sliced two more times and the colors swapped to create the finished design. I didn’t use a pattern for this block. Instead, I started with two 11” squares of cotton and ended up with two identical 8” finished blocks. I’ve got plenty of civil war reproduction scraps to play with, and I suspect when I’m done, all my blocks will nest together.

Autumn Stars

 

This dish just says autumn to me. I like to use red, orange and yellow peppers, and let it stew all day. It’s the perfect foil for wet and windy weather.

 

Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

 

2 pounds Italian sausage links (You can also use bulk sweet Italian sausage.)

3 bell peppers, seeded and thinly sliced

1 large yellow or white onion, thinly sliced

2 cloves minced garlic

Salt and pepper to taste

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

2 cups marinara

 

Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Cover and cook on high 4 hours, or on low 8 hours. Serve with a sturdy pasta, like gemelli or penne. It’s also delicious with roasted potatoes.

Churn Dash

 

I’m expecting eight for Thanksgiving. On one hand, it’s a relief I’m not feeding at least twice that many. I can buy a small bird, and the side dishes will be more manageable. On the other hand, eight people won’t justify the five+ pies I’d like to make for dessert. There must be pumpkin. If I don’t make pumpkin pie, Heather will say I did Thanksgiving wrong and must start again. There should probably be apple, too. That’s already more pie than eight people need, and I haven’t mentioned mincemeat, pecan, blueberry or lemon meringue. I just had an epiphany: I can make two kinds of pie – say, apple and mincemeat – in one pie plate. I’ll fill half the bottom crust with apple filling; the other half with mincemeat. I’ll cover my hybrid pie with a top crust, seal and flute. Apple and mincemeat have identical baking directions. If anyone objects, well, that can be my pie.

Four Rail Fence Blocks

 

I got this recipe from a friend who likes really sweet smoothies. It calls for three whole tablespoons of sugar, but I never actually make it that way. Honestly, with all the lactose and fructose in there, why would you need sucrose? If you try this recipe, I’d suggest making it without any sugar first. Taste it, and if you feel it needs to be sweeter, just add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup instead.

 

Peach/Strawberry/Banana Smoothie

 

1 1/4 cups milk (We use 2%)

1 cup frozen strawberries

1/2 cup frozen peach slices

1 small ripe banana, sliced and chilled

3 tablespoons granulated sugar (Honestly, just skip the sugar)

 

Place all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Serve immediately. Makes 2 large or 3 small servings. When we’ve been out of milk, we’ve used the same amount of O.J. But then it’s a peach/strawberry/banana/orange smoothie.

Lucky Thirteen

 

A couple in their mid-sixties was celebrating their fortieth wedding anniversary in a quiet restaurant. Suddenly – POOF! – a tiny fairy appeared in the middle of their table. “You’re such a lovely couple,” she exclaimed. “I’d like to give each of you a single wish.” The wife knows exactly what her wish will be. “I’ve always wanted to travel the world with my darling husband,” she said. The fairy waved her magic wand and – POOF! – in the wife’s hands were two tickets to an around-the-world cruise. The fairy turned to the husband. “Well, this is all very romantic,” he said. “But a chance like this doesn’t come by every day. I’m sorry, but my wish is to have a wife who’s thirty years younger than me.” The fairy looked genuinely disappointed, but a wish is a wish. She waved her magic wand and – POOF! – the husband was suddenly ninety-two years old. – Author Unknown

Peach and Strawberry/Rhubarb Pies

 

“Repentance opens the door to our new beginnings, fresh starts, and second chances. Our dear President Russell M. Nelson’s teachings have cleared up misconceptions about the divine gift of repentance, and I think we are finally beginning to grasp it. It is exciting to hear our youth describe what repentance means to them. I recently heard a young woman say, with a smile on her face, 'When I think of repentance, daily repentance, I feel incredible joy and hope. I feel the love and happiness of my Heavenly Father and my Saviour. I am not afraid to come to Heavenly Father in prayer and ask for His help with whatever I’m struggling with. I know They’re not trying to catch me doing something wrong. Their arms are open wide. This is repentance to me,' she said. This young woman understands that because of Jesus Christ, she can have new beginnings!” - Elder Patrick Kearon

November Door Banner

 

As a teenager, I took piano lessons Thursday nights. My teacher’s home was filled with the smells of dinner cooking. His wife would bring in a plate of hot food so he could eat without interrupting the lessons. I used to think how wonderful it would be to have someone do that. I don’t. But I do have a slow cooker.

 

Loaded Chicken/Potato Casserole

 

3 Idaho russets, cubed

1 pound chicken breasts, cubed

Salt and pepper to taste

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar

3 scallions, thinly sliced

3/4 cup cream

 

Spray interior of slow cooker with cooking spray. Spread half the potatoes in bottom. Cover with half the chicken. Sprinkle half the seasoning, bacon, cheese and onion on top. Repeat with remaining potatoes, chicken, seasoning, bacon, cheese and onion. Pour cream over casserole. Cover and cook on low 6 to 8 hours. Makes 3 or 4 servings.

Halloween Wall Hanging

 

Some weeks ago, I saw a pattern for a Halloween wall hanging called Cat-BOO-ccino. It was 24x30” with a cat, a bat, a teacup and saucer and a spider. I thought the idea was clever, but lacking in execution. The cat, bat and cup seemed out of proportion. I don’t drink cappuccino, but I feel the drink is all about the pattern in the foamy top – which doesn’t show in the quilt design. The spider and the cat’s eyes were round appliques (not my favorite). I did like the Dear Stella prints, some with tiny cat’s heads and others with a pattern reminiscent of Haunted Mansion wallpaper. So, I bought the fabric and designed my own 20x36” quilt with a moon mug, a larger cat and bat. I swapped the spider for a pumpkin, and I'll sew on button eyes after it's quilted. I’m happy with it, but it isn’t Cat-BOO-ccino anymore. What should I call this?

One Dozen Sheep Folds

 

When we met Joe, John was twenty-four and I was nineteen. Joe was seventy. We managed the apartment complex where he lived. We’d visit him monthly to collect the rent, and at random times when maintenance was required. The other apartments in the building all looked exactly alike. But the walls of Joe’s place were lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. During one visit, Joe showed us a very real-looking human skull. It was a souvenir, he said, from when he’d played Hamlet in New York. Joe De Santis told us he was a retired actor, but we didn’t realize until after he’d passed that we’d actually seen a lot of his work. He’d appeared in some of our favorite TV shows and movies. If we’d known, we might have asked him what it was like to work with Dick Van Dyke, Humphrey Bogart, Lana Turner, or Lucille Ball. Would he have been pleased, or annoyed? I guess we’ll never know.

Rail Fence Block

 

Slow Cooker Tamale Pie

 

1/2 pound lean ground beef, browned and drained

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Small can black beans, rinsed and drained

Small can Rotel tomatoes with chilis

10 ounces red enchilada sauce

1 green onion, sliced

1 package Jiffy Cornbread Mix (If you can’t find Jiffy, buy another brand and use 1/2)

2 eggs

1/2 cup shredded cheddar

 

Add browned ground beef and seasonings to slow cooker. Stir in beans, tomatoes, corn, enchilada sauce and onion. Cover and cook on low 6 to 8 hours. In a small bowl, stir together corn muffin mix and eggs; spoon over meat mixture. Cover and cook another hour, or until cornmeal is set. Sprinkle with cheese and serve hot. Makes 3 or 4 servings.

Twelve Evening Stars

 

The Ward Clerk

He kept the minutes, typed each note,

And put them in the file.

The membership he knew by rote;

He labored with a smile.

The ordinations, births and deaths

He faithfully recorded

For forty years, until at last

He went to be rewarded.

The people he had known so well

Turned out to shed a tear,

And pay respect to this good man,

Gone to another sphere.

But as the choir rose to sing,

They saw with consternation

The good man from his coffin step

To count the congregation!

 -Author Unknown

Hovering Hawks

 

“Today many feel lonely and isolated. We want to hear each other’s voices. We want authentic belonging and kindness. There are many reasons we may feel we do not fit in at church—that, speaking figuratively, we sit alone. We may worry about our accent, clothes, family situation. Perhaps we feel inadequate, smell of smoke, yearn for moral cleanliness, have broken up with someone and feel hurt and embarrassed, are concerned about this or that Church policy. We may be single, divorced, widowed. Our children are noisy; we don’t have children. We didn’t serve a mission or came home early. Mosiah 18:21 invites us to knit our hearts together in love. I invite us to worry less, judge less, be less demanding of others—and, when needed, be less hard on ourselves. We do not create Zion in a day. But each “hello,” each warm gesture, brings Zion closer.” – Elder Gerrit W. Gong

Fantasyland Ticket Booths

 

Last week I mentioned four 70-year-old ticket booths still standing in Disneyland’s Fantasyland. We found them all! The first – a medieval circus tent – is between Fantasyland Theater and It’s a Small World. It blends in with popcorn stands and gift shops, so you could look right at it and never notice. The second is a mushroom at the entrance of Alice in Wonderland. The lighthouse ticket booth is at the entrance to the Storybook Canal Boats. This ride was closed for maintenance during our visit, but luckily the lighthouse is outside the construction site fencing. The fourth – a cottage – is near the Dumbo Circus Train, which is also down for maintenance. I assume they’re replanting the succulent “quilt” and upgrading Storybookland miniatures. It was hard to get a shot, as the cottage is completely shrouded in fences and scaffolding. I’m taking that as a good sign. If Disney had decided to get rid of it, it would already be gone.

Nine Sheep Folds

 

When I was a kid, it was common for breakfast cereal to come packaged with a toy in the box (as if all that sugar wasn’t addictive enough). In 1963, Cap’n Crunch came with a piece of plastic that looked like a bosun’s whistle. It produced a 2600-hertz tone, coincidentally the same sound used by AT&T to control its phone network. It unlocked a loophole in the system, allowing people to hack into AT&T and illegally get free long-distance calls. These early experimenters, dubbed “phone phreaks,” laid the groundwork for what would later become modern hacking culture. Hackers built “blue boxes” that more precisely reproduced the tone. Even Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak built and sold blue boxes during their college days. So, if you’ve ever watched the 1992 movie “Sneakers” and been puzzled by the character Whistler and his criminal background, now you know. If you didn’t know long-distance calls used to be very, very expensive, I can’t help you.

Balkan Puzzle

 

We visited Disneyland last week, after a year’s absence. Here are the biggest changes we noticed: Splash Mountain is now Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (though we’re having a tough time using the new name). We tried riding our first day, but it broke and we were evacuated from the very top. We loved the new verse of It’s a Small World, but the change we didn’t expect is the whole queue is now wheelchair-friendly. We feel so SEEN! And the sinks in public restrooms (at least the ones we used) are now mirror-free. When there are mirrors above sinks, women stop to fix their hair and makeup. They actually spend more time there than in the loo. It creates a bottleneck, and there’s a temptation to just walk out without washing hands. Instead of a lot of little sink mirrors, there’s one full mirror by the door. Women look (they always look) but don’t stop. Two thumbs up!

Thirteen Leap Frogs

 

“I was sitting in the waiting room, for my first appointment with my new dentist. I noticed his diploma on the wall, which showed his full name. Suddenly, I remembered a tall, handsome boy who'd been in my high school class some 40 years ago. I thought, ‘Could this be the same guy a had a crush on way back then?’ Upon seeing him, however, I quickly discarded any such thought. The balding, gray-haired man with a deeply lined face was way too old to have been my classmate. After he examined my teeth, I asked if he attended my high school. ‘Yes, I did,’ he beamed with pride. ‘When did you graduate?’ I asked. He answered, ‘1959, why do you ask?’ ‘You were in my class!' I exclaimed. He looked at me closely. Then, that ugly, bald, wrinkled, fat, gray, decrepit old son-of-a-gun asked, ‘What class did you teach?’” – Source Unknown

Nine Evening Stars

 

In 1998, Queen Elizabeth II hosted Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia at her Scottish estate, Balmoral Castle. The queen extended a casual offer of a car ride, leading the prince to a waiting royal Land Rover. Abdullah sat in the front passenger seat, while his interpreter sat behind him. The queen, an experienced driver, was known for the military-grade driving skills she’d learned during World War II. Despite the prince's initial hesitation, he agreed to the tour, and the queen took him for a spin around the castle grounds. As the story goes, the prince spent most of the ride clutching his seat in white-knuckled terror, pleading with the British monarch to slow down. I’ve heard at the time Her Majesty was unaware that it was illegal for women in Saudi Arabia to drive at all. Personally, I think it would have been an even funnier story if she’d known.

Five More Geese

 

“The fire of yesterday’s testimony can warm us for only so long. It needs constant nourishment to keep burning brightly. In the New Testament, the Savior taught a parable about a master who gave each of his servants a sacred trust—a quantity of money called talents. The servants who diligently used their talents increased them. The servant who buried his talent eventually lost it. The lesson? God gives us gifts—of knowledge, of ability, of opportunity—and He wants us to use and amplify them so they can bless us and bless His other children. Our gifts magnify and multiply only when we put them to use. Oh, how I wish I could embrace you and help you understand this great truth: You are a blessed being of light, the spirit child of an infinite God! And you bear within you a potential beyond your own capacity to imagine.” – Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Rocket Ship

 

In 1982, Larry Walters, a 33-year-old truck driver from San Pedro, California, packed a CB radio, some sandwiches and beer, and a pellet gun. He tied 42 helium-filled weather balloons to his lawn chair and launched himself into the sky. His plan was to float serenely above his neighborhood. When he was done enjoying the view, he meant to shoot a few of the balloons and drift gently back down. That’s not exactly what happened. Larry shot up like a rocket, quickly surpassing 16,000 feet. He was suddenly in the controlled airspace of Los Angeles International Airport. Several commercial pilots reported a man in a lawn chair in their flight paths. Eventually, Larry drifted into power lines, causing a blackout in Long Beach. Against all odds, he returned to earth without killing himself or anyone else. "Lawn Chair Larry" was immediately arrested. He later made an appearance on the Tonight Show, and his lawn chair was displayed in the Smithsonian.

Four Sheep Folds

 

Oskar Speck was born in Hamburg in 1907. He dropped out of school at fourteen to work, but work in post-WWI Germany was hard to come by. Oskar heard rumors there were copper mining jobs in Cyprus, and he decided to head there. He didn’t have the train fare, but he had a collapsible kayak. So, in spite of the fact he couldn’t swim, Oskar paddled to Cyprus. He canoed down the Danube to the Aegean, then the Mediterranean. When he reached Cyprus, he decided to keep going. He paddled down the Euphrates, through the Persian Gulf, and along the coast of India. He traded stories for food, water and shelter. Oskar was frequently shot at, and he contracted malaria. When he reached Australia, he was sent to an internment camp as an enemy alien. After WWII, Oskar became an Australian citizen and an opal miner. He died in New South Wales at age 86. 

Sherman's March

  

Robert and Richard Sherman were a song-writing duo who specialized in musical movies. Their most recognizable works were for Disney films, both live action (The Parent Trap, Mary Poppins, Bedknobs and Broomsticks) and animated (The Jungle Book, The Aristocats, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh). The non-Disney movies they wrote for – like The Slipper and the Rose and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – FEEL like Disney movies because of their influence. The Sherman Brothers also wrote music for Disney Park attractions, like There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow and It’s a Small World. That last song is frequently referred to as the most performed song of all time. Shortly before he passed in 2024, Richard Sherman added a new verse: “Mother earth unites us in heart and mind, And the love we give makes us humankind, Through our vast wondrous land, When we stand hand in hand, It's a small world after all.”

Rocky Road to California

 

When Disney California Adventure opened in 2001, there was an eatery in the northeast corner called Hollywood & Dine. It was like a food court in search of a mall. You could grab kung pao, pizza, or burgers and eat indoors or out. The Hollywood & Dine lasted less than a year. West of there, the Hollywood Limo ride was also shut down before its one-year mark. It was replaced by Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue in 2006. Further west was Who Wants to Be a Millionaire - Play It! The theme park game show lasted almost three whole years. Muppet*Vision 3D was also one of California Adventure’s original attractions. Like It’s Tough to be a Bug and Honey, I Shrunk the Audience, Muppet*Vision didn’t age well. For a while, the building housed a Frozen sing-along, then Micky’s PhilharMagic. In a few months, this whole area will close to become a new Avatar-themed land.

Four Evening Stars

 

Disneyland celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. When this place was new, Walt said, “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.” The seventy-year-old theme park has adapted to the changing tastes of its audience. But there are places where, if you pay attention, you can see glimpses of the park Walt knew. The track for the People Mover (and later the Rocket Rods) still hangs over Tomorrowland. The Skyway gondola is long gone, but one the stations is tucked in the trees behind the Dumbo Circus Train. There haven’t been motorboats since 1993, but the covered loading area is still behind the Matterhorn. And four ticket booths still stand in Fantasyland, from the days when you had to buy tickets for each ride. One looks like a mushroom, one is a lighthouse, one is a cottage, and one a medieval-style circus tent.