Purple Economy Block

 

"I invite you to seek opportunities to bear your testimony in word and in deed. Such an opportunity came to me recently, at the end of a meeting with the mayor of a capital city in South America, in his chambers with a number of his cabinet officials. As we concluded with very cordial feelings, I hesitantly thought I should share my testimony. Following the prompting, I offered a witness that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God and the Savior of the world. Everything changed at that moment. The Spirit in the room was undeniable. It seemed everyone was touched. “The Comforter … beareth record of the Father and of the Son” (D&C 42:17). I am so grateful I summoned the courage to bear my testimony. When a moment like this comes, grab it and embrace it. You will feel the warmth of the Comforter inside you when you do." – Elder Gary E. Stevenson

Scrappy Checkerboard

 

On this day in 1572, Pope Gregory XIII was born. He’s the pope who commissioned the calendar most of the world uses. Of course, he wasn’t called Gregory when he was born. His parents named him Ugo. (I guess we’re pretty lucky we’re not using the Ugonian calendar.) On this day in 1964, Nicholas Cage was born. He’s famous for several movies like It Could Happen to You, National Treasure, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, and The Family Man. He’s also famous for blowing his fortune on dinosaur bones, Lamborghinis and islands in the Bahamas. On this day in 1971, Jeremy Renner was born: the actor who portrayed Hawkeye in several Marvel movies. He’s currently in hospital, recovering from being run over by a 7-ton snow plow. But the most important person to be born on this day was Heather, in 1986. An event as significant as this can’t just be celebrated in one day. We started Friday, and we'll still be partying Monday.

Four Chain Letters

 

Nothing in the world beats the taste of fresh summer peaches in their prime. But it’s a LONG time until peaches are in season again. While you’re waiting, you can always whip up a batch of

 

Blender Peach Ice Cream

 

1 1/2 cups whole milk

2 tablespoons honey

3 cups frozen peach slices (If you didn’t freeze peaches last summer, use store-bought)

 

Place milk and honey in blender; cover and puree. Gradually add peach slices, blending between additions. Once the mixture is smooth, pour into a glass loaf pan. Cover with plastic wrap or foil and freeze until firm. This ice cream is delicious in a waffle cup with raspberry sauce and whipped cream.

Simplify Christmas

 

According to Mel Tormé, “The Christmas Song” was written during a record heat wave in 1945. What may surprise you even more is Tormé and his lyricist, Robert Wells, were both Jewish. Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne, who cowrote “Let It Snow,” were Jewish as well. Irving Berlin, who gave us “White Christmas,” was the son of a cantor. “Silver Bells,” “Winter Wonderland” and “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” were all written by Jewish composers and lyricists. Joan Javits and Phil Springer, the only two on this list still living, wrote “Santa Baby.” Last week I wrote about the Jewish songwriter who gave us “Rudolph,” “Silver and Gold,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and “Holly Jolly Christmas,” but there are lots more. Why were so many beloved Christmas songs written by people who didn’t celebrate Christmas? Party because for most of the 20th century, antisemitism was a given in the U.S., in nearly every industry – except entertainment.

Forty-Two Wonky Log Cabins

 

1,    What country has the highest life expectancy?

2.       Who has won the most Academy Awards?

3.       Which planet has the most moons?

4.       How many bones are in your ear?

5.       Where would you be if you were standing on the Spanish Steps?

6.       How many hearts does an octopus have?

7.       Which character was portrayed by Robert Downey Jr. and Benedict Cumberbatch?

8.       Who discovered the earth revolves around the sun?

9.       In what country would you find Mount Kilimanjaro?

10.   Which company was originally named “Cadabra?”

Trivia questions are like a workout for your mind. They exercise the brain's frontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for memory function. This improves cognitive skills and problem-solving abilities. Today is National Trivia Day. It’s a great time to challenge your cognitive skills. Now for the answers:

1.       Hong Kong

2.       Walt Disney

3.       Saturn

4.       Three

5.       Rome

6.       Three

7.       Sherlock Holmes

8.       Nicolaus Copernicus

9.       Tanzania

10.   Amazon

Twenty Butterflies

 

I’ve posted several slow cooker recipes in the past year. Nearly all of them can be prepared weeks or months ahead and stored in zipper bags in the freezer until needed. Just thaw the bag in the fridge before cooking, or add a bit to the cook time.

 

Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken

 

1 small onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons oil

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (thighs work, too)

 

In a large bowl, combine onion, garlic, honey, soy sauce, ketchup, oil and pepper flakes. Place chicken in slow cooker. Add honey mixture and gently toss to combine. Cover and cook on low about three and a half hours. Remove and shred chicken; return to slow cooker. Cover and continue cooking another half hour. Serve over fresh greens or hot rice, with sliced green onion and sesame seeds as a garnish.

Forty-two Louisiana Blocks

 

“I’ve shared the Book of Mormon with India’s Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva; with His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of the Eastern Orthodox Church; and many others. I’ve felt the Spirit of the Lord with us as I have personally handed them this keystone of our religion and borne my witness of Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of our faith. I invite you, this day, to give a Book of Mormon to your friends and family, your associates at work, your soccer coach, or the produce man at your market. They need the words of the Lord found in this book. They need answers to the questions of everyday life and of eternal life to come. They need to know of the covenant path laid out before them and the Lord’s abiding love for them. It’s all here in the Book of Mormon.” – Elder Ronald A. Rasband