Fractured Rainbow

 

Last week we attended the Boo Lights holiday display at Hogle Zoo. Even with limited entry, face masks, hand sanitizer stations and social distancing, it felt like one of the most “normal” things we’ve done in months. The lights were stunning, but the soundtrack – mostly from Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean and Nightmare Before Christmas – made us miss Disneyland even more than usual. Sadder still, our hopes of Dole Whip desserts were dashed when a zoo employee told us the Dole Whip machine was broken. Apropos of nothing: did you know there was a time you could arrive at the Happiest Place on Earth by helicopter? Between 1955 and 1972 there were regularly scheduled flights between LAX and a helipad near Tomorrowland (in 1963 it moved to the Disneyland Hotel). The flights ended after two accidents with 44 casualties. I do recommend seeing the Halloween lights at zoo. It isn’t Disneyland, but it IS open.

American Beauty

 

We were watching The Incredibles after dinner and suddenly felt the need for chocolate cake. (I blame the choice of movie. We’d just reached the scene where Mr. Incredible sneaks into the kitchen and swipes the last piece of chocolate cake.) I pulled out my old steam canner and pressed it into service. I cut down an old recipe for steamed chocolate cake so it would make four servings instead of eight, and it was ready to eat before the movie was over.

 

Steamed Chocolate Cake

 

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

2 large eggs

1/2 cup flour

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking powder

 

Beat sugar and butter together, add eggs and stir until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and cocoa. Add dry ingredients to wet and stir until just combined. Turn into buttered seven-inch cake pan. Cook in steamer half an hour, until completely set. Serve warm with whipped cream.

The Album Block

 

Ten Good Reasons to Buy Fabric

1. It insulates the cupboard(s) where it is kept.

2. It keeps the economy moving. It’s your duty to support cotton farmers, textile mills and fabric shops.

3. It’s less expensive and more fun than psychiatric care.

4. It's a contest - the one who dies with the most fabric wins.

5. It keeps without refrigeration, you don't have to cook it to enjoy it, and you'll never have to feed it, change it, wipe its nose or walk it.

6. Like dust, it's good for "protecting" previously empty spaces in the house, like the ironing board, laundry basket, the dining room table etc.

7. It's not immoral, illegal or fattening. It calms the nerves, gratifies the soul and makes you feel good.

8. Because it's on SALE.

9. Because you’re worth it.

10. Buy it now, before your husband retires and goes with you on all your shopping expeditions.

Four Turning Leaves

 

“As we come to trust God, sometimes through pleading in our darkest, loneliest, most uncertain moments, we learn He loves us better and knows us more than we know and love ourselves.” – Gerrit W. Gong

“Today I call upon our members everywhere to lead out in abandoning attitudes and actions of prejudice. I plead with you to promote respect for all of God’s children.” – President M. Russell Ballard

“Unity and diversity are not opposites. We can achieve greater unity as we foster an atmosphere of inclusion and respect for diversity.” – Quentin L. Cook

“I testify that Jesus Christ is our loving Savior, Redeemer, the Master Healer and faithful friend. If we turn to Him, He will heal us and make us whole again.” – Cristina B. Franco

“God will watch over and shepherd you during these times of uncertainty and fear. He knows you. He hears your pleas. He is faithful and dependable. He will fulfill His promises.” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Four Rock Gardens

 

I was waiting in line to pay for my groceries while maintaining my six-foot distance from everyone, when this older man suddenly cut in front of me. He didn't appear to notice me at all. I didn't say anything. I just maintained my distance.  When it was time for him to pay, he reached in his back pocket and pulled out a small note pad. He had forgotten his wallet. He looked a bit disappointed and embarrassed. I stepped up and told the cashier I would take care of his groceries, which consisted of a carton of milk and a package of chocolate chip cookies.  He was more than grateful. He thanked me and off he went. The cashier, who’d seen everything, said, “He cut you off and you paid for his groceries! Why?” “I replied, “I hope that if one day my dad forgets his wallet, someone will step up and buy his milk and cookies.” – Danny Pineda

Fixer Upper

 

It’s often difficult to understand what Heather says, even if you’ve been listening to her speak all her life. She has multiple speech disorders operating simultaneously. One of them is that words often jump out of her mouth backwards, even though she has no trouble spelling them frontwards. It’s sort of like a oral version of anagrams. In the winter, she’ll often ask us to help her build a “noseman.” She ALWAYS says the word “snowman” that way, even though the word “snow” on its own is never reversed. When we picnicked in our backyard this past summer, she worried that a “swap” might try to buzz her plate. So, we hung “swap traps” in our big walnut tree. Last Friday, as I was making out our weekly menu and shopping list, she asked if we might have “teamloaf.” I agreed, and so we’re having teamloaf for dinner tonight, with carrots and mashed topatoes.

More Broken Dishes

 

There’s an awful lot of glass in my kitchen. Most of my tableware is glass, as are my casserole dishes, baking pans, measuring pitchers, and mixing bowls. I even own a few glass saucepans. I love how everything can go in the dishwasher, the oven and the microwave. I love how easy it all is to clean, even if I’ve been baking aubergine parmigiana or steaming beets fresh from my garden. But glassware isn’t foolproof. The best way to keep yourself, your counters and your cookware safe is to fully preheat the oven before use. Always place hot glassware on a DRY towel or pot holder – never a stove top, metal trivet, bare counter, damp cloth or sink. Make sure there’s enough liquid to cover the entire bottom of the pan, and check periodically to make sure the liquid hasn’t boiled away. Last (but not least), keep your wits about you when emptying the dishwasher.