Bow Ties

 

“Let us go forward in this glorious work. How exciting and wonderful it is. I do not know how anybody can feel gloomy for very long who is a member of this Church. Do you feel gloomy? Lift your eyes. Stand on your feet. Say a few words of appreciation and love to the Lord. Be positive. Think of what great things are occurring as the Lord brings to pass His eternal purposes. This is a day of prophecy fulfilled, … this great day in the history of this Church. This is the day which has been spoken of by those who have gone before us. Let us live worthy of our birthright. Keep the faith. Nurture your testimonies. Walk in righteousness, and the Lord will bless you and prosper you, and you will be a happy and wonderful people.” – Gordon B. Hinckley

Empire House

 

I shared my recipe for a classic Waldorf salad here almost a decade ago. I still love and use that recipe. But if I want a main dish salad, I’m more likely to use this one. I love to serve it with freshly baked and buttered dinner rolls, and crisp dill pickle spears.

 

Chicken Waldorf

 

2 chicken breasts

1 stalk celery, thinly sliced

1 whole apple, chopped

3/4 cup grapes, halved

3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

3/4 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup sour Cream

Salt and pepper, to taste

Juice of half a lemon

Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper and bake at 400F for half an hour. Cool completely and cut into bite-sized pieces. Toss in a large bowl with remaining ingredients. Cover and refrigerate at least an hour before serving.

Underground Railroad

 

We bought a new sofa set in May this year, after years of looking for one we liked as well as the one we’d worn out. To keep them from wearing out too quickly, I’ve draped both new sofas with a couple of older quilts. One of these is among the first quilts I ever made, from Eleanor Burns’ 2003 book Underground Railroad Sampler. It was probably a mistake to put that quilt where I have to pass it several times a day. All I can see is the mistakes I made: the points that got swallowed, the corners that don’t meet, the fabric I shouldn’t have used for sashing, binding or back. I can’t fix what’s wrong with that quilt, but I can make a newer, better one. I have lots more Civil War-era reproduction scraps to play with, a far superior sewing machine, and seventeen years more experience than I had when I made the first one. 

Windmill House

 

I’ve read the Splash Mountain rides in Disneyland and in Walt Disney World are being rethemed to reflect the 2009 movie, “Princess and the Frog.” Disney parks are constantly growing and changing, but I suspect this move is an attempt to erase any trace of “Song of the South” from our collective consciousness. The 1946 movie has been under fire for three quarters of a century, primarily from people who’ve never seen it. Surely, after 75 years, it could do no harm to release it as an historical artifact, with a disclaimer for home video or on Disney+. It might be worth noting the film’s cast stood firmly behind it: “If I had for one moment considered any part of the picture degrading or harmful to my people, I would not have appeared therein.” – Hattie McDaniel “I believe certain groups do my race more harm in seeking to create dissension than can ever possibly come out of the ‘Song of the South.’” – James Baskett

Hunter's Star

 

I’m so glad August is finally here. I fully expect the temperatures to start backing off a bit. I’d like to celebrate this month’s family birthdays with a backyard picnic, and that’s hard to do when it’s like a blast furnace outside. I want to serve corn on the cob, pasta salad, and watermelon. I was thinking of this for the main dish:

 

Homemade Sloppy Joes

 

 2 pounds lean ground beef

2 cups celery, sliced thin

1 cup finely chopped onion

1/2 cup finely chopped bell peppers

10.5 ounce can of tomato soup

1/2 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoons Worcestershire

Fresh ground black pepper to taste

 

Brown the ground beef; drain excess fat. Add vegetables and sauté until tender and aromatic. Stir in remaining ingredients. Continue cooking while stirring about 20 minutes. Serve over toasted hamburger buns. 

Fying Dutchman

 

When Heather was an infant, Idaho state paid for an early interventionist to visit, teach me how to teach her, and check on our progress. Much of what she taught me I was already doing: playing with her, talking to her, reading to her. One new concept she introduced was that babies won’t demonstrate a new skill if they feel they’re under scrutiny. The woman chatted with me, her face pointed my way, while watching Heather out of the corner of her eye. She told me she once worked with disabled twins who lived on a nearby reservation. The twins exhibited no language skills until their older sister passed away. It seems the sister had been intervening on their behalf, telling everyone what the twins wanted or needed. While she was there, they hadn’t needed to learn to speak. It’s been three and a half decades, but I still ask myself if I’m helping Heather or holding her back.

Grape Basket

“One of the most important things we can do in this life is to recognize and remember the pathway back to our Heavenly Father and faithfully and joyfully persevere throughout the journey. Whatever you must leave behind to follow the path to your heavenly home will one day seem like no sacrifice at all. We have Jesus Christ’s perfect example to follow, and the journey toward our eternal home is possible only because of His teachings, His life, and His atoning sacrifice—including His death and glorious Resurrection. I invite you to experience the joy of remembering that we are children of God and that He so loved the world that He has sent His Son6 to show us the path. I invite you to remember to be faithful, to turn your life to the Savior and build your foundation on Him. Remember to be prayerful in your journey and serve others along the way.” – Elder José A. Teixeira