Pineapple Block

“The pineapple has been a symbol of hospitality since the days of the early American colonies. The legend began with the sea captains of New England, who sailed among the Caribbean Islands and returned to the colonies bearing their cargo of fruits, spices and rum. According to the legend, the captain would spear a pineapple on a fence post outside his home to let his friends know of his safe return from sea. The pineapple was an invitation for them to visit, share his food and drink, and listen to tales of his voyage. As the tradition grew, colonial innkeepers added the pineapple to their signs and advertisements, and bedposts carved in the shape of a pineapple were a common sight at inns across New England. The legend has continued to the present, and frequently one sees the pineapple symbol in hotels and restaurants to signal the presence of hospitality.” – from Hawthorne Tours

Itsy Bitsy Spider

In November 2010, Utah State park ranger Brody Young was patrolling near Poison Spider Mesa Trail when he was shot nine times by Lance Lee Arellano. Young was critically injured but he survived. He told emergency responders he shot back, hitting his attacker. Arellano escaped in his silver Grand Am, which he abandoned eight miles away. Hundreds of officers searched for the shooter without success. Caleb Shumway’s dad was one of the searchers. Home from college for this year’s winter break, Caleb and his little brother did a bit of sleuthing. “Water runs through the sandstone there,” he said, “so there are lots of deep caves.” Inside one they discovered a pistol, a 44-caliber magazine, and binoculars. The next day, Christmas Eve, they took law enforcement officers back to the area, where they found what was left of the gunman. There’s a $30,000 reward for locating Arellano, which should really help with tuition costs. 

Four Pinwheel Cabin Blocks

Floyd and Violet Hartwig were childhood sweethearts. They married in 1947 while Floyd was on leave from the Navy. After his discharge they moved to a 20-acre ranch in Easton, California where they raised three children. Last January, Floyd at age 90 was losing his battle with cancer. Violet, 89, had dementia and had suffered a number of strokes. Until that point, the couple had been living independently. Their children – Donna, Carol and Kenneth – decided to admit them both into hospice care. Their hospital beds were pushed together so they could hold hands. Floyd passed away three days before Valentine's Day and Violet died five hours later. Donna said: “We felt blessed because that’s what they wanted. When we went to the funeral home and saw the two caskets, we knew it was meant to be and that was the only way it could end.”

Four and Star

“As a 12-year-old deacon I accompanied the bishop to deliver Christmas baskets to the widows of our ward; baskets of grapefruits and oranges. This was during WWII, when citrus fruit was scarce, so they were quite a treat. When we had delivered all the baskets but one, the bishop drove me home. He handed me the last basket and said, “This is for your mother.” Before I could reply he drove away. I stood in front of our house, snowflakes falling on my face, holding the basket and wondering. I’d never thought of my mother as a widow. I’d never heard her refer to herself as a widow. She had always taught us that we had a father and she had a husband and that we would always be a family because of their temple marriage. I am grateful for temple marriage and for the assurance that we can be together as an eternal family.” – Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Nine Virginia Reels

“Christmas comes at three levels. Let’s call the first the Santa Claus level. It’s the level of Christmas trees and colorful packages. It’s a lovely time of caring and giving. But there’s a higher, more beautiful level. Let’s call it the Silent Night level. It’s the level of the holy moment in a dark stable when the Son of Man came to earth. How infinitely poorer we would be without this sacred second level of Christmas. Trouble is, these two levels don’t last. They can’t. Very soon, Mother will put away the decorations and think, “Thank goodness that’s over for another year.” For Christmas to have the power to change lives, we must celebrate it at the third level, that of the adult Christ. It was the adult Christ who reached out and touched the untouchable, who loved the unlovable, who even prayed for forgiveness for his enemies. Accepting that invitation is the only way to celebrate Christmas all year and all life long.” – William Smart

Nine Christmas Trees

Today’s post is an excerpt from the First Presidency Christmas Devotional, broadcast by satellite  December 4, 1994; President Hunter’s last public address to the church.

“This Christmas, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and then speak it again. Christmas is a celebration, and there is no celebration that compares with the realization of its true meaning—with the sudden stirring of the heart that has extended itself unselfishly in the things that matter most.” – President Howard W. Hunter

Pinwheel Cabin

Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread

3 sticks softened unsalted butter

3/4 cup cane sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup chocolate chips

1 tablespoon shortening

1 1/2 cups finely chopped walnuts, pecans or pistachios

Cream together butter, sugar and vanilla. Add flour and salt. Mix well. Shape into 1-inch balls. Place on cookie sheets and flatten with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Cool completely. Melt the chocolate chips and shortening in a double boiler over hot water, stirring until blended. Dip each cookie halfway into the chocolate, dip into the nuts and place on parchment paper. Refrigerate until the chocolate is set. Makes 5 dozen, unless you tasted a few while you were making them.