Nine ABC Blocks

 

In the center of Spain there is a tiny village called Villar de Corneja. (The name might mean “crow,” or it may refer to someone with dark hair.) The 2003 census said it had a population of 86, but there are fewer than 50 people live there now. The average age is 75. Villar de Corneja is known for its peaceful atmosphere and quaint rural traditions. The tradition I find most appealing is the way they celebrate the New Year. As the clock strikes twelve, they raise a glass and toast the year that is coming and the year that is going. Lots of places do that. But these people don’t celebrate at midnight; they do it at noon. That way all the villagers get to bed on time. It’s much more sensible than what happens here. Our neighbors started shooting off fireworks three nights ago, and they’re nowhere near done. Happy New Year!

Six Log Cabins

 

THINGS YOU MAY BE USING WRONG:

Deodorant: It works better if you apply it at night.

Perfume: Use it sparingly on pulse points, not on clothing. Better yet, skip it altogether.

Towels: Don’t wash after every use. Hang them to dry between uses.

Toothbrush: Brushing too hard can damage teeth and gums. Switch to a gentler, more effective electric brush.

Hand Sanitizer: It’s to remove germs, not dirt. If your hands are actually dirty, use soap and water.

Hair Conditioner: Apply it to the ends of your hair, not your scalp.

Water Bottles: Reusing disposable plastic bottles can expose you to microplastics, dangerous chemicals, and bacteria.

Shampoo: Don’t apply it to dry hair; always wet your hair first.

Pillowcases: They should be washed every week to remove sweat, oils and allergens.

Sun Screen: UVA rays, responsible for aging and deep skin damage, make up most UV radiation and easily pass through windows. Yes, you can get sunburned indoors.

Large Sawtooth Star

 

“Peacemaking is a Christlike attribute. Peacemakers are sometimes labeled naive or weak—from all sides. Yet, to be a peacemaker is not to be weak but to be strong in a way that the world may not understand. Peacemaking requires courage and compromise but does not require sacrifice of principle. Peacemaking is to lead with an open heart, not a closed mind. It is to approach one another with extended hands, not clenched fists. Peacemaking is not a new thing, hot off the press. It was taught by Jesus Christ Himself, both to those in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Peacemaking has since been taught by modern-day prophets from the earliest days of the Restoration even to this day. We fulfill our divine role as children of a loving Heavenly Father as we strive to become peacemakers.” – Elder Gary E. Stevenson

Four ABC Blocks

 

It was a late night in 1985, and the Tonight Show’s star guest had cancelled at the last minute. Suddenly the world’s most popular talk show host had nothing to talk about. Johnny Carson turned to his audience and asked if anyone had studied piano for five+ years. David Tolley’s hand went up, and he was asked to step onstage. David – wearing jeans, flip flops and a Nike T-shirt – approached the grand piano and sat down. He mesmerized both host and audience with a rendition of “Memories.” What was meant to be a funny time filler ended up launching a career. David was seventh in a family with eight children. He’d been a piano student since age seven. He was valedictorian at Ohio’s first performing arts high school, and he’d studied performance and composition at OSU. After his debut, David wrote for Spielberg and Disney, and performed for presidents and royalty. Today he teaches music at Delaware State University.

Four Log Cabins

 

December 26 is Boxing Day; the day Victorian-era servants would take a break from domestic work. Victorians also observed this day by giving food and clothing to the poor.  This is the feast day of Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, who was known for his charity. December 26, 1776 was the Battle of Trenton: a small but pivotal victory in the American Revolutionary War. On this date in 1898, Marie Curie discovered the radioactive substance that would eventually cause her death. December 26, 1908 Jack Johnson defeated Canadian Tommy Burns to become the world’s first black heavyweight boxing champion. The holiday known as Kwanzaa was created on this day in 1966, and Harry Truman passed away December 26, 1972. Twenty-four years ago today, a 9.3 earthquake off the coast of Sumatra triggered tsunamis that decimated Sri Lanka, India and Thailand, killing more than 230,000 people in a matter of hours. 

Great Joy

 

"We rejoice in remembering our Savior, Jesus Christ. He was born in humble circumstances. Heavenly angels heralded His birth. He preached the gospel of repentance, hope, and everlasting life.

 He opened the eyes of the blind, made the deaf to hear, healed all manner of afflictions, and raised the dead. He is the Only Begotten of our Father in Heaven, the Firstborn of God’s spirit children. Through His sacrifice and infinite Atonement, we can be reconciled with God by obedience and repentance.

 In this season of light and goodwill, we rejoice in Jesus Christ and in His eternal plan of happiness. We invite you to seek Him and the blessings of His peace. Merry Christmas!"

 -          Dallin H. Oaks, Henry B. Eyring and D. Todd Christofferson

ABC & 123 Block

 

Most of the quilts I make these days are not for me. The lion’s share has gone to Primary Children’s Hospital, Quilts of Valor, Project Linus, Stitching Hearts, and Intermountain Medical Center. Several have gone to family and friends, to commemorate weddings, graduations, births, etc. I was thinking of making a quilt just for me, in browns and teals, to protect my sofa from pets and grandkids. I stumbled on a quilt kit with just the colors I had in mind. I was going to use my own pattern, but my favorite blocks require dark prints against a pale background. All these prints – though they’re lovely – are rather medium. They remind me of a misty morning on a campout, before the sun is high. So, I’m using the pattern the kit came with: Easy as ABC and 123. It’s just 6” and 3” squares, with 6x3” rectangles. Should be done in no time!