Brave New World

 

In honor of National Beach Day, here are a few fun beach facts:

Most sand is quartz, a silica-based mineral.

Sand is commonly used to make glass.

When lightning strikes sand, it can create glass-like sculptures called fulgurites.

73 percent of beachgoers go into the water. That means 27 percent stay on the beach without even putting their toes in the water!

More people have died falling into holes in sand at the beach than by sharks.

The world’s largest sandcastle was constructed on the beach in Blokhus, Denmark. Over 4860 tons of sand were used. Dutch artist Wilfred Stijger assisted by 30 other sand sculptors built a sandcastle measuring 69 feet and 5 inches tall.

Sandy beaches come in a variety of colors, including white, tan, pink, and black.

Black sand comes from volcanic material.

Fraser Island in Australia is one big beach. It’s the world’s largest sand island.

Eleven Leap Frogs

 

Steve Martin went to school at Garden Grove High, under five miles from Disneyland. He spent his summers, weekends and after-school hours working there. Steve sold Disney merc and performed tricks at the magic shop on Main Street, U.S.A. Before he became a member of the Backstreet Boys, Kevin Richardson worked on the MGM Studios Backlot Tour at Disney World's Hollywood Studios. When asked about the experience, he said, “It was an inspiring, incredible place to come to work every day.” Before he made us laugh on Whose Line Is It Anyway? Wayne Brady played costumed characters at Walt Disney World. At age sixteen, his first role was Tigger. Before she was an Academy Award-winning actress, Grammy Award-winning recording artist and best-selling author, Jennifer Hudson was a performer on the Disney Cruise Line. I love to chat with cast members when they’ve got a free moment. They have amazing stories to tell. And maybe someday, they might be famous.

Eighteen Potted Cacti

 

Happens all the time. Someone asks how you’re doing, and your reaction is to say, “Fine.” Even if you don’t mean it. Even if you haven’t taken the time to decide if you’re fine or not. Even if you’re really, really NOT fine. It’s the answer they expect, so it’s the one you give. After all, they’re only asking how you are to be friendly. They don’t want you to dump all your current problems on them. So, you say you’re fine. But in Norway, they have a better response. When asked how they are, they might say, “Oppe og ikke gråter,” which roughly translates to, “Up and not crying.” It’s a bit like saying, “I’m here. I’m not great, but I’m dealing with it. I’ll manage. I can’t complain.” In England, they ask, “You alright?” and you’re expected to reply, “Never better,” with your best stiff-upper-lip attitude. I think I prefer Norway’s solution.

Nine Bear Paws

 

When Dave Ramsey advises people to do “rice and beans,” it’s a metaphor for financial discipline and delayed gratification: making short-term sacrifices to achieve long-term success. The concept works both figuratively and literally. If you can turn a handful of dry beans into a delicious, nutritious meal, you can feed yourself well for a fraction of the cost of drive-through or delivery. The money you might have spent on junk food can go toward more important things. When I cook beans, I sort, rinse and soak them in water overnight. Then I drain them and load them in my slow cooker with plenty of fresh water. I cover and cook them 8 hours on low or 4 on high, until the beans are tender. Then I can use them in soups, chili, salads, etc. Beans are a good source of protein and fiber, and if you use dry instead of canned, they’re around 10 cents per serving. 

Still Plays with Blocks

 

I’ve participated in the Utah State Fair Quilt Challenge since 2007. My sewing room walls are filled with the quilts I’ve designed and constructed for the challenge. If I want to hang another, first I’ll have to take one down. This Thursday, I’ll submit my new quilt at the fairgrounds, and then for a week I’ll keep my fingers crossed that the judges will like it. The challenge fabric this year was Lori Holt’s Autumn Floral for Riley Blake. It’s a busy, medium-value print that was tricky to design around. The theme for this year’s challenge was, “Anything Goes.” I took my inspiration from my own sewing machines (I have four), and from a dozen favorite quilt blocks. Clockwise from the top left, they are: Old Maid’s Puzzle, Ohio Star, Economy Block, Dragon’s Head, Pinwheel, Big Dipper, Flying Dutchman, Eccentric Star, Coffin Star, Sawtooth Star, and Flying Geese. And on the top, a Spool Block, of course!

Five Prickly Pears

 

“President Hinckley’s beloved wife, Marjorie Pay Hinckley, put it so well when she said: ‘We are all in this together. We need each other. Oh, how we need each other. Those of us who are old need you who are young. And, hopefully, you who are young need some of us who are old. It is a sociological fact that women need women. We need deep and satisfying and loyal friendships with each other. These friendships are a necessary source of sustenance. We need to renew our faith every day. We need to lock arms and help build the kingdom so that it will roll forth and fill the whole earth.’” – James E. Faust, second counselor in the first presidency, April 2005

Jolly Roger

 

My grandkids go out of their way to avoid nuts. Some make an exception for peanut butter, as long as it’s creamy, not crunchy. Even peanut M&M’s are suspect. I don’t believe there are any allergies at play. It seems to be an issue with texture. Are nuts an acquired taste? I do hope they grow out of it eventually. It would be so sad for them to miss out on cashews, macadamias, and pistachios.

 

Pistachio Ice Cream

 

1 1/3 cups whole milk

1 cup granulated sugar

3 cups heavy cream

1 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 teaspoon pure almond extract

1 1/2 cups shelled pistachios, roughly chopped (Use plain or lightly salted.)

 

Use a mixer or blender to combine milk and sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Stir in the heavy cream, and vanilla and almond extracts. Process according to ice cream maker directions. Stir in nuts. Cover and freeze until fully set.