Three Red Houses

 

January 8 is National Bubble Bath Day. It’s easy to celebrate. If you have bubble bath, use it. If you don’t, make your own with a cup of light oil (almond, sunflower or canola), half a cup of honey, half a cup of mild liquid hand soap, and a tablespoon of vanilla. Stored in a covered Mason jar, this makes enough for four baths. If you’re a child, bubble baths are more fun with a few tub toys. If you’re not, adding a few scented candles, some soft music and your favorite beverage may be just the thing to help you unwind at the end of a stressful day. If you need more encouragement, remember soaking in a warm bath can burn calories. It can relieve congestion and soothe a cough. It can reduce tension, ease sore muscles and help you sleep better. It can stimulate serotonin production, improving your sense of well-being.

Flock Around the Block

 

Lassie came to live with us when she was a month shy of her first birthday. Like most Scotty dogs, she’s feisty, energetic, independent and in love with the sound of her own voice. She’s mellowed considerably over the years, but she’s still quite reactive around strange dogs. Even if the dog’s an old friend, he’d better give her a wide berth when treats are concerned. She tries to keep the yard clear of birds and squirrels, but the birds know she can’t fly and the squirrels know she’s rubbish at climbing trees. Lassie has cataracts, so chasing tennis balls isn’t as much fun as it used to be. She still tries to talk the grandkids into tossing one for her. She knows what time we should wake up, fix meals, go for a walk or get ready for bed. And she’s ready to remind us when we’re running late. Today’s her eighth birthday. Happy birthday, Lassie!

Thirteen Diversions

 

“We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ. We are members of the church of joy! And nowhere should our joy as a people be more apparent than when we gather together each Sabbath in our sacrament meetings to worship the source of all joy! Here we assemble with our ward and branch families to celebrate the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, our deliverance from sin and death, and the Saviour’s powerful grace! Here we come to experience the joy, refuge, forgiveness, thanksgiving, and belonging found through Jesus Christ! Is this spirit of collective rejoicing in Christ what you find? Is this what you bring? Maybe you think this doesn’t have much to do with you, or perhaps you are simply used to how things have always been done. But we can all contribute, no matter our age or our calling, to making our sacrament meetings the joy-filled, Christ-focused, welcoming hour they can be, alive with a spirit of joyful reverence.” – Elder Patrick Kearon

Double Irish Chain

 

Scientists generally refer to them as pumas, but these big cats have lots of other names: including panther, mountain lion, cougar, catamount, painter, mountain screamer, red tiger, ghost cat, Mexican lion and American lion. Originally, 32 puma subspecies were recognized, but genetic testing in the 90’s proved there are only two. Their footprint looks a lot like a huge dog’s print, except pumas walk with claws retracted (something dogs can’t do.) Pumas prefer wild game, but they’ve been known to help themselves to small pets left unattended. There have been several news stories lately about pumas showing up on doorbell cameras, which probably has more to do with the proliferation of security cameras than with any recent change in feline behavior. If you happen upon a puma, don’t try to approach or corner it. Instead, face the animal, stand up straight and tall, and slowly back away. Most pumas will be happy to do the same for you. 

Twenty Delectable Mountains

 

Most of the year, this is my second or third favorite dish at Rumbi Island Grill. When I have a winter head cold, it moves to first place.

 

Copycat Bahama Mama’s Tortilla Soup

 

2 chicken breasts, grilled and cut into chunks

8 cups chicken broth

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

Pinch of dried thyme

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, chopped

1 tablespoon garlic, minced

1 cup shredded carrots

1 cup coconut milk

1 chopped tomato

1 cup mozzarella, shredded

2 cups tortilla strips

Juice from 1 lime

Salt, pepper to taste

 

In a large pot, combine chicken broth, allspice, thyme, cinnamon, ginger and garlic and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add coconut milk, carrots and chicken.  Let it sit a few minutes to heat the chicken. Get four soup bowls and place 1/4 of the tomato in each. Ladle broth mixture into bowls. Top with cheese, tortilla strips and lime juice.  Makes 4 bowls.

No Place Like Home

 

I bought this kit years ago, on sale at one of the stores in the Utah Quilt Shop Hop. It came with its own pattern and it was half price. A steal, or so I thought. When I got around to opening the kit, I realized half the fabric that should have been there was simply missing. Even if the kit was complete, the directions were vague and useless. By this point, my receipt was long gone, the fabric line was years out of date, and the shop was no longer in business. I couldn’t bring myself to toss the kit, but from time to time I’d “borrow” bits of it for other projects. Last month I decided it was time to fish or cut bait. I pulled out the kit and started hacking away. Here are the results so far. Last week I actually snagged a couple of yards of a matching border print online. Wonders never cease!

Three Blue Houses

 

This was the year that was not the year

 

This was the year that was not the year

I repaired the bathroom tap

And emptied out the kitchen drawer

Of a lifetime’s worth of crap.

 

This was the year that was not the year

In which I launched a new career.

A West End hit eluded me

And so did Time Person of the Year.

 

This was the year that was not the year

I became a household name.

Action figures were not sold of me

I wasn’t made a dame.

 

This was the year that was not the year

I spent less time on my phone.

Nights of passion did not happen

In boutique hotels in Rome.

 

This was the year that was the year

I didn’t get that much done –

Much the same as the year before,

Much like the year to come.

 

-          Brian Bilston