Nine Arrowheads

I was almost ten when he was born. All that distance between our ages meant he was more of a burden to me than a playmate. I’m sure there were times he hated being bossed around by his big sister even more than I hated tending him. It seemed like he was always in need of having his hands washed or his nose wiped. His knees were always skinned and there were always disgusting things in his pockets. Somehow, while I wasn’t looking, he grew up. Suddenly he’s this smart, responsible, hard-working fellow with a lovely house; the kind of guy who owns jet skis, supports his football team, and takes vacations to Hawaii. He’s a devoted husband and a terrific dad. And he’s fifty today. Lest he get swell-headed about all that, he should remember: to his big sister he’ll always be a snot-nosed little brat. Happy birthday, Ron!

Three Trees

I love clam chowder, but don’t know how to make the New England variety without wheat flour. If you have a reliable recipe that uses a different thickener, I’d love to hear about it.

Manhattan Style Clam Chowder

1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

7 cloves garlic, minced

Pinch crushed red pepper

1/4 cup tomato paste

3 sprigs parsley

3 sprigs thyme

1 bay leaf

1 red potato, diced

5 cups clam juice (five 8-ounce bottles)

One 28-ounce can diced tomatoes

1-1/2 cups baby clams, drained (four 6-1/2 ounce cans)

Salt and pepper to taste

Gently saute onion, celery, garlic, and red pepper in oil about 8 minutes. Stir in tomato paste. Tie herbs together with a bit of string and add to pot with tomatoes, potatoes and clam juice. Bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer, covered, until potatoes are tender. Remove herbs, add clams, salt and pepper, and serve hot.

Another Arrowhead

Here’s good news and bad news. The good news is Spangler Candy Company (You probably know their candy canes, marshmallow circus peanuts and Dum-Dums) bought some of the brands from the New England Confectionary Company after it was shuttered last July. Spangler promises to return NECCO wafers and conversation hearts (sweethearts) to the marketplace as soon as possible. Now the bad news: there’s no way that’s going to happen in time for Valentine’s Day this year. Chances are when you go looking for the perfect sweets for your sweetie, you won’t find any little candy hearts that say, “Be Mine” “Miss You” or “Puppy Love.” If you do find them (they're still available online), you can be certain those candies are at least a year old. My advice? Get your significant other a box of chocolates or flowers instead. Because outdated candy can be hard as a rock. The last thing you want to give your loved one is a broken tooth.

One Lone Tree

“We can escape the consequences of both sin and stupidity—our own or that of others—in whatever form they may come to us in the course of daily living. If we give our heart to God, if we love the Lord Jesus Christ, if we do the best we can to live the gospel, then tomorrow—and every other day—is ultimately going to be magnificent, even if we don’t always recognize it as such. Why? Because our Heavenly Father wants it to be! He wants to bless us. A rewarding, abundant, and eternal life is the very object of His merciful plan for His children! It is a plan predicated on the truth that all things work together for good to them that love God. So keep loving. Keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep growing. Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever.” – Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Little Pig

With only a few lapses (an ice cream cone and a pretzel), I’ve gone without wheat since New Year’s Day. I’m happy (and sad) to report I’m almost completely pain free. This probably means you can expect more recipes like this from me in the future.

Gluten-Free Chex Mix

3 cups Corn Chex

3 cups Rice Chex

3 cups Cheerios

1 cup mixed nuts

1 cup bite-size gluten-free pretzels

1 cup gluten-free bite-size bagel chips

6 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 teaspoons seasoning salt

3/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

In large microwavable bowl, mix cereals, nuts, pretzels and bagel chips; set aside. In small microwavable bowl, microwave butter uncovered on High about 40 seconds or until melted. Stir in seasonings. Pour over cereal mixture; stir until evenly coated. Microwave uncovered on High 5 to 6 minutes, thoroughly stirring every 2 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool. Store in airtight container.

Four Arrowhead Blocks

Saw my teacher on a Saturday! I can’t believe it’s true!

I saw her buying groceries, like normal people do!

She reached for bread and turned around, and then she caught my eye.

She gave a smile and said, “Hello.” I thought that I would die!

“Oh, hi…hello, Miss Appleton,” I mumbled like a fool.

I guess I thought that teacher types spend all their time at school.

To make the situation worse, my mom was at my side.

So many rows of jars and cans. So little room to hide.

Oh please, I thought, don’t tell my mom what I did yesterday!

I closed my eyes and held my breath and hoped she’d go away.

Some people think it’s fine to let our teachers walk about.

But when it comes to Saturdays, they shouldn’t let them out!

- Dave Crawley

Mexicali Rose

I’ve made this block three different times. The first was the winter of 2010-2011, when it was part of the eighth Patchwork Party. Mexicali Rose came from ThimbleCreek Quilt Shop of Concord, California – one of many lovely quilt stores that no longer exist. I made the second block in December 2013, while we were packing for a Disney Cruise to Cozumel and the Cayman Islands. Both those blocks became parts of different sampler quilt tops that were hand quilted and given to hospital volunteers or employees. This third block was designed to be part of another sampler quilt called Secret Garden. Marti Michell designed Secret Garden as a Block-of-the-Month in corals, teals and spring green in 2012. It’s back this year in leaf green, geranium, pink and black. I don’t know if this will be another hospital quilt. I don’t even know if I’ll use the setting plan provided. But it’ll be fun to find out.