BOOK REVIEW - PHANTOM

With Christmas over I have been curling up in the evening with a book so riveting that I was instantly bewiched by it.  This is a new version of the Phantom of the Opera story (1991).  I saw the stage play several times and loved the movie version, which I own.  Tara Thatcher recommended this book as I have been reading sequels.  This is the life story of Erick who becomes the Phantom.  His birth to a young indulged widow was disturbing as the baby arrives with a face disfigured to the point of uncontrollable revulsion.  I so wanted the mother to love the baby. I really didn't understand why she couldn't.  But her immaturity and societial conventions created a disturbing relationship between the mother and child.  From the beginning Erick has a supernatural genius with an understanding of music, architecture, science and magic, all of which create many interesting facets to the story.  From the cradle Erick's voice was hypnotic and anyone who hears him sing is overcome with beauty.  Erick  runs away at age 9 and is kidnapped by gypsies, the first of his tragic adventures.  

Susan Kay's writing is wonderfully lyrical, filled with angst, adventure, danger, romance and self discovery as we follow Erick through the intriguing experiences of his life.  His character is tragic and powerful as he attempts to find a place for himself in a world of revulsion and rejection.  I had empathy for his intense struggle with good and evil knowing how difficult this disfigurement was in a time of great superstition. 

The story is told in first person from the experience of several of the characters.  I liked focusing on different points of view.   

The last 100 pages of a 450 page book deal with Erick's opera house experiences.  I thought there were gaps and bumps in this part of the story as Kay tried to sort out the original story with the direction she wanted to take it.  The best part here was her first person accounts from Christine and then Erick.  Christine was realistic but fragile, as she needed to be, to get sucked in as she did.  She was alone, confused and vulnerable in the beginning.  She was unable to sort out her love from her empathy. Raoul's character was less prominant until the end when he wraps up the package.  The details and depth of the Phantom and Christine's experiences together had to happen in order for Kay to end the story as she did in a very surprising way. 

There is no explicit sex but one scene of eroticism, some murderous violence and drug use.  Amazon has 375 reviews of this book, 331 gave the book 5 stars and 18 gave it 4 stars.  This is a very compelling book. 

 

Real Meaning of Christmas

This is sweet and worth the 4 minutes

GLAD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY BY MIKE ANDERSON

Mike wrote this for his home teaching lesson.  I think it is very thoughtful and inspiring.

I have been thinking recently of the word, “Tidings”. The angels said they brought “glad tidings of great joy.” This isn’t a word that we use much today, but was probably common in the time of the King James translation of the Bible. What does it mean? The dictionary says it means “news” or an announcement. It is used a number of times in the scriptures, including in the Book of Mormon and in the Doctrine and Covenants. One I like in the D&C gives us a little more insight into the meaning of the “ glad tidings”.


“And this is the gospel, the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us- That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; That through him all might be saved whom the Father had put into his power and made by him.” D&C76:40-42


One of the things I like to do occasionally, not as often as I would like, is to commit a scripture to memory. It seems to me that when we do that, it becomes more meaningful than just words on the page. I particularly like ones that seem like a story. I did that this year at this Christmas time with one that I have thought about a number of times in the last year. I would like to try to convince you that it is a Christmas story. It certainly doesn’t seem like one- there are no sleigh bells, no chestnuts roasting on an open fire, and no snowy white Christmas. In fact, it takes place in a very arid, desert place. Water there is very scarce and precious, and we can imagine it is very dusty and hot, maybe in the 90 degree range. It goes like this:


“Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus, therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well. And it was about the 6th hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus saith unto her, ‘Give me to drink’. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)


Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, ‘How is it that thou, being a Jew, asketh drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? For the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans’.


Jesus answered and said unto her: ‘If thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith to thee, give me to drink, thou wouldst have asked of him and he would have given thee Living Water’.
 The woman saith unto him, ‘Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with and the well is deep. From whence then, has thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children and his cattle’?


Jesus answered and said unto her, ‘Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again, but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life’.


The woman saith unto him, ‘Sir, give me this water that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw’. “
 After some discussion, the woman said to him, ‘I know Messias cometh, which is called Christ. When he is come, he will tell us all things’.


Jesus saith unto her, ‘I that speak unto thee am He’.” (John 4:5-14,25-26)


I think this is a Christmas story, because every person born in this world must make a decision. Was the babe born in Bethlehem going to be just a great teacher or even a prophet? Or would he actually have the power to give us the gift of everlasting life? If so, that would be cause for angels to announce “glad tidings of great joy, tidings of comfort and of joy”. It would be a reason for us to put evergreen trees in our homes symbolic of everlasting life and to decorate them. It would be a reason to put lights on our houses for the light of the world, to give presents as the wise men did and as he gave us the gift of everlasting life, to be generous with the less fortunate, and to gather friends and family close.


May you and your family have all the glad tidings this Christmas that “unto us a child is born… and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the EVERLASTING Father, the Prince of Peace in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

CRANBERRY SALSA

This came from Womansday magazine 12/6/05  I finally made it this year and it is different, festive and really very good. 

CRANBERRY SALSA

1 12 oz. bag fresh cranberries

1 granny smith apple, peeled, cored and cut in eights

1/2 red pepper, cut in large chunks

1/2 to 3/4 cup sugar (I used 1/2 and thought it was fine

1/2 medium red or sweet onion cut in large chunks

1/3 cup apple juice

3 T. chopped fresh cilantro

2 T. seeded chopped jalapeno pepper

1/2 - 1 tsp. fresh ground cumin

Chop coarsley in a food processor.  Store up to 2 weeks.  Serve with corn chips or crackers.  Pour some over a block of cream cheese for a colorful dip.

CHRISTMAS WHEN I WAS A KID

JACK, CHARMAINE AND CLIFFORD READY FOR CHURCH

This dress was my favorite Christmas present ever.  It was store bought, dusty rose chiffon with a matching purse.  It was my princess dress even with saddle oxfords.

CHRISTMAS WHEN I WAS A KID

It doesn’t matter if you are poor, if your dad is a crazy drunk, if your house is a basement with studs for walls, if four of you sleep in a small room, Christmas is still enchanted.


I had two Christmas philosophies that I espoused in early parenthood that I am rethinking. First of all I was mad at those Wise Men for bringing gifts to the baby Jesus. It really started something that I believe has gotten out of hand. But even in its excess I can’t deny the wonder and magic of gifts for children—especially in my day when we had so little. My parents didn’t buy toys and dolls except at Christmas and our birthdays. Nothing is more exciting to a child than anticipating Christmas morning. The Wise Men started the magic and for children the excitement is unique in its anticipation. In my world only children 12 years and under would get presents but it is what it is and there is joy in it all.
My second objection to Christmas was based in something I heard once that went like this: “You work all year to save and scrimp so you can buy Christmas for your children and then some red nosed fat man gets the credit.” But maybe he also gets that blame if you don’t have much. For little children the mystery and wonder of Santa is fun and the secrecy of his delivery method adds more than I might have realized especially when I remember what it was like to be a child when I believed. I now see the wisdom of Santa. The circle of life will eventually see believing children grown and giving Santa credit in their family. Maybe it is like the scripture in Matthew 6:3 - But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.


My mother wasn’t a great housekeeper but at Christmas the worn linoleum was mopped and waxed, the tree sparkled, excitement burned, my mother baked and order prevailed. It gave us a sense that this time was more than special. Now days the decorating begins the day after Thanksgiving with many trees, garlands, wreaths and ornaments adorning every room and lights on every roof—not so in my day. My dad chopped a tree a few days before Christmas and we put it up on Christmas Eve or a couple of days before. We had colored electric lights with big bulbs and a few lights that looked like a bubbling candle. We had a box of colored glass balls and a straggly assortment of homemade ornaments and a star for the top. For me the excitement of the tree was the metal icicles. They came in a box and had to be separated into the long heavy strands. We saved them from year to year so they had to be carefully laid across the notched cardboard for safe keeping after each use. My mother was very fussy about how the icicles were put on the tree. If you didn’t want to spend the time to line them up on the branches you were excused from the process. My brothers would get tired and impatient and wanted to throw them on so they were usually given another assignment. My mother liked trees with space between the branches so the icicles would hang in shimmering lines. Oh, I could sit for hours and gaze at the magical shining tree. Before my home life was over they started making the icicles with silver plastic. They were limp and wrinkled. We hated them and worked even harder to save the heavy aluminum ones from year to year.


Our most unique decoration tradition was the clinker mountain. We burned coal in our stove and later in the furnace. Every day my dad would have to clean out the clinkers, a craggy rock like substance that is left when the carbon is burned off coal. Sometime before Christmas he would start looking for an interesting shape. I am not sure who discovered the chemistry of this but by pouring bluing, which was used in the rinse water to make clothes appear whiter, over the clinker it would grow puffy white crystals that looked like snow (It is possible this process had other ingredients. I only remember the bluing). It took several days so the procedure had to be started early. Then we took a trip to the Woolworth store or Coronets in Price to buy some miniature trees, deer and maybe Santa in a sleigh and place them around on the clinker to make a scene. We added things for several years. I remember pieces of mirror to make a pond and caves with tiny forest animals. The scene was enchanting in its homely simplicity.


We collected pinecones in the summer to make a pine cone wreath. The base was made with a doughnut shaped cardboard cutout covered with a thick layer of brown linoleum paste. By massing the pinecones together in the paste with some plastic berries and holly leaves a pretty wreath would be created. We made beautiful paper snowflakes and taped them in the window with a string of lights bordering the glass. Another popular homemade wreath was made by tying plastic bags around a coat hanger, formed into a circle, to create a strange white fluffy structure with a red ribbon bow. Everyone wanted one. The homely decorations are just as fun as the expensive ones when that is all you have and it looks like Christmas.


Today fruitcake is a joke but my mother made a delicious version with dried fruits and nuts, not those gummy things, and it was delicious. She made it for my Christmas time wedding. We made fudge and divinity especially the new-fangled marshmallow fudge that was no fail. We had big bowls of nuts in their shells waiting to be cracked as we sat around the tree in the evening. We often had a contest to see who could break out a Brazil nut whole. Peanuts in the shell were also a favorite. I never did this for my kids because it was too messy, consequently my kids never learned to like nuts like we do.


We hung up our stockings—the ones in our drawers—not the fancy things they have today. There was always an orange, some hard candy, a candy cane, and a few trinkets like marbles or jacks. I loved jacks and I was a champion player. My fingernails on my right hand grew crooked for years because I played jacks so much.


I liked dolls so I usually got one. My mother liked baby dolls so mostly I had a baby. My favorite doll had hair I could style. When my mother let me have at the sewing machine I made lots of quirky doll cloths and blankets with fabric scraps. I liked dishes and remember a little plastic set that I carried around for my tea parties. It had fancy little goblets for toasting. One special gift was a beautiful dusty rose chiffon dress with a matching purse. I recall it was the most exquisite thing I had ever seen—store bought, something I rarely had. (See photo)


When I got older I received a pair of ice skates. We skated a lot in the winter on the local ponds and rivers. It seemed water froze better in those days. Someone would get an old tire to burn to keep warm, but it was very stinky and smoky. I nearly frosted my feet once walking home through the snow in thin shoes after an afternoon of skating. We had a lot of fun. We did some sleigh riding also but mostly we skated.


The rural country Mormon church was a wonderful gathering place for parties, dances, Christmas programs, caroling and dinners. My mother sang with a group and I have so many warm memories of her beautiful Christmas songs. My life would have been sadly lacking without these social and religious gatherings.


When I was a young teen my brother Jack joined the Navy. He came home for Christmas after boot camp and brought the family a record player with two records, one of Johnny Cash and the other of Chet Atkins, the guitarist. We listened to these two records hundreds of times during that Christmas season. Today when I hear Johnny Cash sing it feels like Christmas to me. “How High’s The Water Mama?” is one of my favorite carols.


Most of us accept life as it comes to us and we can find joy in the simple and inexpensive. We don’t really need much to be content and excited as long as its uniqueness says Christmas. I think about how complicated we have made Christmas and I am not sure it has made the season better but it is all still good. I thank God for sending his Son and all the traditions that surround His novel birth. All of it has potential for joy when there is love and a family, no matter how wacky they are.

ORANGE CRUNCH CAKE

I made this for Mike's birthday this week.  If you like orange flavored things this is great.  The crunch bottom makes the cake.

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup butter, softened


1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
2 tablespoons grated orange zest


1 (16 ounce) can prepared vanilla frosting
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped
topping, thawed
2 tablespoons grated orange zest


Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F . Grease and flour two 9-10 inch pans. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, walnuts and butter. Divide mixture evenly between the prepared pans. Press into the bottom. Set aside.


2. In a medium bowl, mix together the cake mix, water, orange juice and oil until blended. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the orange zest. Pour the mixture evenly over the crunch layer in the pans.


3. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack and cool completely before frosting. Frost (crunch side up) between layers, on top and sides. Arrange orange sections on top if desired, refrigerate.


4. To make the frosting: In a medium bowl, beat the vanilla frosting until light and fluffy, then mix in the whipped topping. Stir in the orange zest. Use frosting on completely cooled cake layers.


If you want to make the frosting from scratch which I did cream ¼ C. butter and add 3 Cups powdered sugar and enough fresh orange juice to make a stiff frosting add 2 T. grated orange zest. Whip one cup of cream until stiff and fold into the frosting. The frosting must be applied somewhat thin with these amounts. It was a stretch getting it all covered but seemed like plenty in the eating. You could make half again more frosting and cream for an easier cover.

SNOWBALL FIGHT

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

MOCHA ALMOND FUDGE PIE

I found this recipe in a Southwest living cookbook. Here is my version. The recipe called for coffee liqueur. I did call the liquor store to see how much - $15 a bottle. I don’t think so for a couple of tablespoons. It had instant coffee so I increased the amounts instead of the liquer. Since I don’t drink coffee I didn’t want to get much. Tasters Choice sells a little package with 7 - .07 oz. packets for $1.29, which turned out to be perfect.


Crust: Put 1/3 cup hot water in a bowl with 2 tsp. of instant coffee (one of the little packages)  and stir until dissolved. Add 2 cups of dry brownie mix from a box , 1egg and ½ C. chocolate chips. Blend well and pour into a 9-inch deep pieplate coated with cooking spray. Bake at 325 for 22 minutes. Cool completely.


Take 3 T. hot water and add 2 packages of the coffee granuals (about 4 tsps.). Stir until dissolved.


Mix 1 ½ C. milk and ¼ C. whipping cream and stir in 1 small box of chocolate instant pudding mix with 1 tsp. vanilla and 2 T. of dissolved coffee. Beat for one minute.


Beat ¾ c. of whipping cream & 2 T. sugar until stiff and stir in 1- 8 oz. Carton of cool whip. Remove 2 generous Cups and fold into the pudding mixture. Pour onto the cooled brownie.


Add 1 T. coffee liquid and ½ tsp. vanilla to the remaining cream mixture and pile onto the pudding layer. Toast ½ C. slivered or coarsely chopped almonds and sprinkle on top of the pie with chocolate curls if desired. Chill



How to make chocolate curls: A chunk of chocolate needs to be warmed a bit. Sitting it in the sun works good. You don’t want it to melt just soften. With a cheese slicer pull off some curls.

BOOK REVIEW - I AM A PRIDE AND PREJUDICE JUNKIE

Last year Masterpiece Theatre had a very enjoyable Jane Austen movie festival of her most popular books. Pride and Prejudice was always my favorite. I had never seen the 1995 A&E version with Colin Firth, who is hands down the best Darcy ever portrayed. I loved every minute of its 5+ hour portrayel of the goings on of Darcy and Elizabeth. I watched the movie again recently (Actually, the movie was a birthday present to myself). It made me want to read some Pride and Prejudice sequels, of which there are dozens. The book blog I have connected to mine gave a positive review to a triology called, A Novel of Fitzwilliam Darcy. The three in order: An Assembly Such as This, Duty and Desire and These Three Remain. I ordered them all from the library and had a fluffy reading fest for two weeks. They were all great fun. Pamela Aidan produced a look into Mr. Darcy's heart and mind concerning all the events of the Austen story. No one can write like Jane Austen but Pamela Aidan did a good job of creating a Mr. Darcy in language, manner, and character that was very satisfying to me. The second book has some fun intrigue as Darcy spends a week in an ancient castle, with some old classmates, after he decides he must look for a wife in the ranks of society in order to forget Elizabeth. The last book gives more satisfying details into the stories conclusion. Aidan intruduces some new characters and gives us deeper insight into the Austen personalities. I learned a few things from Mr. Darcy in his self examination. The books portrayed a Darcy that Jane Austen would have approved--with values and good character. So now I am on a quest to read all sequels of value. I have researched a dozen or more carefully. I have a list to read; some ordered from the library and a couple I ordered used from fetchbook.com. I will let you know if I read any others worthy of your time. In the meantime I am posting my favorite you-tube video from the Colin Firth movie. The eyes tell the story. 

YouTube Mr. Darcy Eye Candy

THE GIFT OF MORE LIFE

On November 19 I will be 63 years old. I can’t help but think of my mother who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in her 63rd year. She spent the next year dying a very painful death in the end, brought on, not by the tumor but by the medication she was taking. She never could face her death. The day before she died she said she was “getting better.” Now 20 years later I am her age and I see more clearly why she clung so desperately to her life. Her mind was still young. She enjoyed the sociality of her children and grandchildren who dearly loved and respected her. She had served a mission and longed to serve another one. She was a gifted soprano and had more songs wanting to be sung. She enjoyed the desert, western novels, Mexican food, flower arranging, gardening—yes she loved life—all the good, bad and in-between of it. She had seen it all and still wanted more.

I hope I will think of her every day from now on knowing that each day for me is a gift that my mother did not have. And so everything I can accomplish in my remaining years I dedicate to her: every grandchild I hug, every story I write, every meal I cook for loved ones, every picture I paint, every service I do, every mission I serve, every testimony I bear will be a gift of time that I will cherish and hopefully honor my beloved mother.

CHRISTMAS TREES TO BENEFIT THE WOMEN'S SHELTER

Maren and I decorated trees last night for a benefit auction for the battered Women's Shelter in Kaysville. (With Mike and her friend Amy's help which we couldn't have possibly done without them and still been alive)  Tai Pan donated my materials.  I have done this for 4 years.  This year I got a suggestion of materials and a budget which wasn't quite as fun but the tree is cute.  Maren wanted to get rid of some special tree decorations she has collected for years. (Amy and I both were coveting some of them but they went to a good cause so we didn't take any)  Her tree was very elegant with some beautiful glass ornaments and ribbons.  This picture doesn't do it justice.  See them in person for a couple of days at the Davis Conference Center in layton. 

                      Maren's Tree                            

 My Tree and Wreath

A 360 DEGREE PANORAMIC TOUR OF TEMPLE SQUARE SITES

I saw this on  http://www.meridianmagazine.com/churchupdate/091104degrees.html  today.  It is so cool.  You can have a self guided (with your cursor) panoramic tour of the City, the Tabernacle, the Assemply Hall, temple grounds, the room where the Christus Statue resides and the Temple Square Christmas lights.  It almose made me dizzy. And if you want you can click on the left and see more Utah sites. Amazing!

http://www.utah3d.net/GalleryTempleSquare.html

GORMET RICE CRISPY TREATS

This is a gooey and yummy special treat. This is an elegant version of the old standby. I changed the recipe a little from my internet source picky-palate.com. I used a little bigger pan 11x14 instead of the 9x13 and liked that size but you could use the smaller if desired. For the bigger pan I used 4 cups of marshmallows on the top. (Buy 2 bags)

 

EXTREME TOASTED MARSHMALLOW CANDY BAR RICE CRISPY TREATS

10 Cups toasted rice crispy cereal

8 Cups of miniature marshmallows

1 Cube of real butter

1 Cup chocolate chips

3-4 Cups mini marshmallows  for the top
20 mini candy bars of your choice cut in 4 pieces.

Melt the butter and add the marshmallows. Can be done in the microwave or in a large pan on the stove. Add the cereal and stir until covered nicely. Stir the chocolate chips into the mass quickly and loosely. You only want the chips to melt just a little. Press into the pan. (The original recipe sprinkled the chips on top of the plain rice crispy mass instead of stirring them in and you could do that if you desired) Top with 3-4 cups of marshmallows depending on the pan size.

Preheat oven’s broiler and position top rack in middle of oven not top (if rack is too close to the broiler, the marshmallows burn instead of slowly turning golden) Sprinkle 3 Cups mini marshmallows over top (or 4 cups if you use a larger pan). Broil in oven just until marshmallows start to puff and turn golden. Watch very carefully, it happens quickly!

Remove from oven (turn off) and press chopped candy bars over toasted marshmallows. Put back in the warm oven for 1 minute. Let cool for 1 hour before serving. Cut with a knife dipped in a cup of hot water and wiped with a paper towel leaving a little moisture on the knife between cuts.

FAMILY HALLOWEEN COSTUMES THROUGH THE YEARS (Now With Luke)

SPICED PUMPKIN BUTTER

This is good anywhere you would use jam. I found some cute little jars and have 10 jars ready to give away as Christmas favors.

My mother was the queen of canning when I was a child. She made Apple Butter and I loved it. Recently I have come across recipes for Pumpkin Butter. In my love for the Apple version I decided to try this. This recipe came from Better Homes and Gardens. I read the recipe reviews online and those that tried it said the ginger was too strong. I don't like ginger in my pumpkin pie so I didn't use it at all in the Pumpkin Butter. I just increased the Cinnamon and Nutmeg. I like the flavor of this. I also cooked a fresh pumpkin which is not for the faint of heart. I had a pumpkin about 1 foot in diameter which I cut up in 6-7 inch pieces and put them in a large pot with 3-4 inches of water to steam for about an hour. I then cooled the pieces on a cookie sheet and scraped the flesh off the peel. Then I put it in a food processor and blended until smooth. I put the puree back in the pan and cooked, stirring constantly for 1/2 hour or so until some of the water evaporated. Whew! This is work. I am posting an alternate way to cook the pumpkin in the oven which I will do next time because it may eliminate the thickening of the puree by cooking as the pumpkin probably dries out in baking. As you can see by the recipe you can use canned pumpkin. If you use canned I would replace the 1/2 cup of apple juice with 1 can of applesauce.

Spiced Pumpkin Butter

Ingredients
4 cups Pumpkin Puree, or two 15-oz. cans pumpkin
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup apple juice or 1 can of applesauce
2 T cider vinegar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

Directions
1. In 5-quart Dutch oven combine all ingredients. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cook, uncovered, over medium heat, stirring frequently, 25 minutes or until thick. (If mixture spatters, reduce heat to medium-low. I used one of those grease popping screens while stirring). I suspect the canned pumpkin would cook faster than the fresh pulp. Remove from heat; cool.
2. Ladle into jars or freezer containers, leaving 1/2-inch head space. Cover; store in refrigerator up to 1 week or freezer up to 6 months.

PUMPKIN PUREE FROM A FRESH PUMPKIN (Oven Method)

Cut pumpkin in 5 inch pieces. Remove seeds and strings. Arrange in a single layer skin side up in foil lined baking pan. Bake covered, 1 hour or until tender. Cool and scoop pulp from rind. Puree in blender or food processor. Can be frozen. Thaw in the refrigerator to use.

WHAT MAKES LIFE SWEET FOR MIKE ANDERSON?

Mike and his sister Alicia

Do all men get better with age or just mine? Mike Anderson is doing a very sweet thing for me lately besides the dishes every night. I go to the temple on Fridays. Sometimes before I leave and at other times not until after my return I spy a white paper sitting on my shiny black stovetop. It makes me happy because I know this sheet is a hand written note from my thoughtful husband about something he admires about me. It is usually one page with details of his admiration. Most of the notes relate to normal things we women do when we are trying to be a good wife and homemaker. Others are recognition of my personal goals that he respects. It is nice and motivating to see that my man actually notices and appreciates what I am doing...even the simple things.
　
One Thursday morning last summer Mike went with me on a 10-mile bike ride which loops through west Farmington. We do this route often during the summer. I have spent most of this summer going alone as Mike's hip replacement hasn’t been comfortable enough to bike. On this particular day we passed Mike’s sister Alicia, who lives in Farmington Crossing. She was walking on a street in Oakridge with a friend. We didn’t stop to talk but waved a hearty hello. (Alicia tells me that when I am alone they often see me but I don’t see them—excessive concentration?) Mike said to me as we rode along, "Isn’t that great! I saw my sister on the street this morning."

When I returned from the temple on Friday the white sheet of paper was waiting for me to read. Mike told me later that seeing his sister walking on Thursday morning inspired him to write this list:

SOME things that make life sweet:

-Watching our birds
-Sitting on the deck on a cool morning
-A home cooked meal
-Taking a bike ride and seeing my sister walking
-A soft mattress
-St. George in February
-A daughter who lives in the area
-Grandsons
Michael making his first par
Being called "Poppy"
Watching Luke toddle
-Your paintings
-Golf channel/Hitting a long drive
-Visiting Monterey
-Good friends
-A fresh tomato, sweet corn, watermelon, chocolate, your marshmallow frosting on cake, hot fudge
-A movie we both like
-A day without pain
-The smell of fresh cookies
-Finishing a stained glass project
-Hearing a word in Spanish, French, German or Italian and understanding it. (He knows some of all these languages)-A Sarah Brightman classic
-When a child is happy or has a success
-A pet like Puddles (Maren's wonderful cat)
-Spending my life with you

I feel great joy that I could be a part of the sweetness in Mike’s life. Thanks my precious partner for your generous appreciation for the simple joys.

CHOCOLATE HOT POTS

I went on a Carnival cruise with Maren in July and the Warm Chocolate Melting Cakes were their best dessert. I gained 4 lbs. eating more than my share. When I came home I began research on a recipe (love the internet). After trying 3 recipes this is the one I created and am pleased with the results.  A friend named them Hot Pots. 

(I have simplified the recipe for those of you who have seen this before.  There was too much information) They are really very simple. 

1 C. butter melted and add:
8 oz. dark chocolate – stir until chocolate is smooth.  If you use semisweet add 2 T. Dutch process Cocoa or what you have. (I often 1 1/2 times this recipe which uses 1 pkg. of Hershey's Dark Choc Chips from Walmart and I still add 1 T. Cocoa. (Love these Hershey chips) 

  

Cool the chocolate for 10 minutes if it is hot. Add 4 eggs and 1 egg yolk along with ½ C. of sugar, ¼ C. of flour and 1 tsp. vanilla. Stir well and chill until solid. This can stay in the refrigerator for a week and it will also freeze (form into balls, chill on a sprayed plate and then lift them in a fold top bag individually . (if you only want to bake a couple at a time like we do) One recipe makes about 7 cups. 

The baking process is the key to success. Buy some small ceramic ramkins 3 1/2 inch (the clear glass ones get too hot.  Ross has them often.  

Fill the Pam sprayed cups with 1/3 C. generously filled cold mixture.  If I have it I make a hole in the middle and add a T Nutella. Bake at 400 for 13-14 minutes. That's what it takes in my oven.  I have also added a choc, or mint truffle in the middle and it is a fun addition.  Don't bake them until the center closes over.  You want the center to be gooey.

A scoop of ice cream on top of the ceramic cups is my favorite. I receive rave reviews every time I serve this. Enjoy!

LAST WEEK IN MONTEREY CALIFORNIA

Cheryl in the front of her house

I wonder if the friends that we make in our young married adulthood are the most important. They were for me. Cheryl was my neighbor for a few years in Somerset Farms in Farmington. We had children of similar ages. We shared a love of art, crafts and sewing. She was a sister I never had and has remained so through the years even as she has moved to Australia and other states in the US. For the last 15 years (or so) she has lived in the "Pastures of Heaven" so well named by John Steinbeck. This lovely place is located in the Salinas hills about 15 minutes from Monterey. Cheryl's sister Viki, her mother Beth and brother Larry (along with all their children) have come to be our family as well and we have all shared many good experiences together. We spent last week in Monterey with the "group". The guys golfed Poppy Hills and Spanish Bay...a rare opportunity, especially because the Bay was free and the Hills at a discount because Viki and Cheryl's husbands Steve and Ron are Golf marshals there. We love the restaurants in the area. I did a little cooking for the family which is a joy for me. We watched conference together. And we walked the beach and the Salinas hills. Thank you dear friends for sharing our life.

The front yard

Stair to the hills by Cheryl and Ron's house

Walking in the hills

Toro Park Path

CREAMY ZUCCHINI BASIL SOUP

You might think I am having a bumper crop of zucchini this year with still another soup with the green veggie. Not so. I am garden free but I do have a nice farmer's market close that I stock up on fresh produce bi-weekly. Last week we went to a Vietnamese restaurant in St. George (in Washington behind Roadhouse Steaks). I had the chicken soup and it had such a wonderful basil broth it made me think about making my zucchini soup again with a basil flare. I love this soup! I could have eaten the entire pot on Saturday when I made it. Zucchini is not very exciting but it lends itself to interesting additions.

In a dutch oven size pan put:
1 T. olive oil

1/2 medium onion chopped or 2 T dried flakes
3-4 cloves of garlic grated
Stir fry until it begins to brown. Add 6 cups of water and:

1 ½ lbs. of sliced zucchini (about 3 medium)
½ stalk of celery grated
1 medium carrot grated
1 peeled cubed medium potato
½ Cup of loosely packed fresh basil or
1 T. dry basil (taste as you are cooking it might need more. I used the fresh)
2 tsp. Salt to start
¼ - ½ tsp. Fresh grated pepper to taste
Simmer for 20 minutes. Add 2 large peeled chopped fresh tomatoes.

Blend with a hand blender or in batches in a regular blender.
Add ¼ C. whipping cream
Serve with crusty French Bread. Pass Parmesan cheese.

4-6 servings

WHY I LOVED "JULIE AND JULIA" THE MOVIE

Mike and I spent last week with his brothers and sisters in St. George for our yearly get-together. Mike's brother Kent lives in Florida and so we all make an effort to spend time together in September when Kent comes to Utah. It has been a very bonding time. The guys play a lot of golf and watch football. The women try to keep themselves entertained. One afternoon we went to the movie Julie and Julia, together. It was a joy. I smiled through the entire movie.

My new office closet has an entire wall of book shelves. Since seeing the movie I couldn't wait to get home and find my old copy of "Mastering the Art of French Cooking," by Julia Child. I have had it for 25 years or so. It was given to me by my friend Cheryl Johnston when she moved out of our neighborhood, many years ago, as she was moving to Australia and had to minimize her stuff. I have looked at it a few times but it definitely wasn't one of my recipe book staples--French cooking and kids? I don't thinks so. I was very disappointed to find that it wasn't there. I must have chucked it when we moved 2 years ago. I remember holding it in my hand and wondering if I should keep it. In my mind I did but it is nowhere in the shelves. I made a second cut of books when they all didn't fit and it must have gone then.

I checked http://fetchbook.info/ for a used copy. $15 plus shipping is cheaper than I expected but I doubt I will get it again.

The story is about 30 year old Julie who spends a year cooking every recipe in the book and blogging about her experiences. Because I blog, cook and am tall this story made me feel connected. Meryl Streep couldn't have been a better Julia Child. I was amazed at how tall they made her look. I know Julia Child was over 6 feet. Amy Adams as Julie was so fresh and charming you couldn't help but adore her. There is a very gratuitous "F" word and I am not sure why they included a negative comment that Julia Child was to have said about Julie's blog at the end. It left a little question in me.

I will never feel the same about butter and I am anxious to see this another time (with Mike, I think he will like it. He can handle chick flicks) and I may want my own copy so when I need to smile I can watch it again.

NOURISH

This is a Christmas dinner with my family. My brother Jack is on the left next to my mother and his wife Jeannine, me, Cliff, Andy and my dad must be taking the picture.

"Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart; Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul." D&C 59: 18-19

 Yes, food does enliven the soul. ( Unfortunately most of it needs it be prepared.) Is it any wonder that physical nourishment is so often symbolic of love and care in the scriptures? The father of the Prodigal Son killed the fatted calf to celebrate the return of his wayward son. Today I ate a piece of bread and drank a cup of water symbolic of the atonement and Christ’s love for me.

Lehi went to the tree of life in the Book of Mormon and ate a piece of fruit that was pure and sweet above anything he had ever eaten but his joy was not complete until he could share the sweetness with his family.

 Recently my grandson Michael was baptized and I cooked all week preparing a celebration feast for the people I love. "...how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you. " (3 Nephi 10:4) I feel akin to God in my desire to nourish. I believe He wanted us to make this connection.

 Feeding people is the plight and joy of women. It does get old and tiresome but we nourish with food knowing that the body must be fed before the spirit can be taught. We do it because nothing is more loving than a nourishing, tasty meal set before a hungry family or friends. We do it because nothing feels quite like the joy of making someone’s favorite dessert.

Men also have a part in the nourishment process as they provide the means for obtaining the food. I have watched my husband keep a job that never really excited him for years, because it was the best way to feed our family. I saw my dad come home from the coal mine every day with black around his eyes because the paycheck bought bread. And of course there are the men who cook, like my brother Jack. Feeding people, wonderful food, is his greatest joy. And often when others are enjoying the party Jack is in the kitchen.


About a year ago I was asked to be the compassionate service leader in our Ward. I worried about asking women to bring meals to those in need. Would it be difficult? Would they respond? Would I end up doing a lot of cooking myself because I couldn’t find anyone? I have been pleased and impressed with the women in my Ward and their willingness to serve each other. I thank heaven for e-mail, which has made my job easier. We have fed some families during my time for several months at a time--one who had severe morning sickness and couldn’t cook. Then again when she was threatening to miscarry her baby. We fed another sister who was inactive. Her husband was having some problems and she had to go back to work. I silently questioned the number of meals we took to her. One sister fed this family every Monday for several months. Then one Sunday several months later a sister I didn’t recognize sat by us in church. It was this sister who had come back to activity and has been at church weekly since. We fed her family and she couldn’t resist our love.
There are mornings when I send out an e-mail requesting meals and by noon I have 10 or more offers to cook and deliver one. Recently I passed around a sign up sheet in Relief Society for two weeks of meals and every day was filled by the end of the meeting. Surely the sisters in my ward have taken the scripture to heart: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my (sisters) ye have done it unto me."
When we moved into our Fruit Heights home 2 years ago the Relief Society presidency brought dinner. At the time I thought, "They can’t do this for everyone who moves in." We are in a new area with people moving in every week. But they did. Dozens of meals, I know. Food cooked by someone else always tastes so good. Home cooked food waiting in the refrigerator is very comforting.
I had foot surgery this year and my visiting teacher brought a beautiful dinner. I felt guilty. It is easy to give but not always so easy to receive.
Today I am in awe of all the women who nourish with home cooked food. I couldn’t resist telling the sisters in testimony meeting that they are amazing.
 "And whosoever among you are sick, and have not faith to be healed, but believe, shall be nourished with all tenderness, with herbs and mild food... " D&C 42: 43　 　 　

The Guernsey Literary and Potatoe Peel Society - Book Review

This is the most charming book I have read in a long time. Masterpiece Theatre had a mini-series a few years ago about the German take over of the Guernsey Islands off the coast of Britain. It was a tragic and difficult event in so many ways. The author Mary Ann Schafer has taken a very serious topic and crafted a story with fun human elements that help people get through difficult times together. All but a few diary entries at the end are written as letters, which I thought might be tedious, but they make the story unique and charming. The ending wrapped up a little too quickly for me but it turns out that the author died before the book was completed and her young niece finished the story. Costco has this for about $8

The following description comes from Goodreads which is a great place to go for book reviews: http://www.goodreads.com/

January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she's never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb.

As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society--born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island--boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all.

Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society's members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever.

Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, this novel is a celebration of the written word in all its guises, and of finding connection in the most surprising ways.

GRANDSONS LUKE AND MICHAEL COME TO VISIT

MUSINGS ON DIETING - WITH MY HUSBAND

This photo was taken when we were both down about 10 lbs.

Mike and I came home from a road trip after Memorial Day weekend and went on a diet – both of us. I don’t think we have ever dieted at the same time before. In the past I would go on a diet and he would lose weight. Mike’s dieting experience is that he loses 10 lbs. in two weeks and quits gaining it all back within the next month. But this time we were both successful—doing it together may have helped. 10 weeks later I have lost 21 lbs. and Mike has lost 16. And no, no one has asked me if I have lost weight but they have him. Do I sound a little jaded here? Well, maybe I am. Dieting with a man makes you realize how unfair the eating situation is between men and women.

Dieting is 95% will and determination. My clothes were getting tight and trying on "my size" was not working so I was in the determined mode. Mike was looking at a larger size pant so he was there also. In the first 2 weeks Mike lost 10 lbs. and I lost 3. We were not on the same diet but that wasn’t really the problem. Women have to starve to lose weight. Mike’s diet consisted of a protein drink for breakfast and lunch, except on T, Thurs., and Sat. when I made him a salad at home, and a "sensible dinner, " which included a couple of pieces of corn on the cob, mashed potatoes and gravy and such. But he also ate watermelon, Creamies ice cream bars and other cheats, which I shall disclose later.

My diet routine was protein for breakfast and lunch and a "very sensible dinner", no sugar in any form. I mostly ate 1/3 C. cottage cheese and a few walnuts for breakfast and a small salad with chicken or shrimp for lunch and half what my usual dinner would have been. Instead of two tacos I ate one, or a small serving of whatever. I also fasted one day a week. This worked for the first 8 lbs. but then I went several days without losing and so for the next month I eliminated carbs. It started to feel like I was in a contest with my body. I was determined to show it that I would win. Although I lost 20 lbs. in 10 weeks this was not a 2 lbs. a week loss. Bodies are very illogical in the way it responds to dieting. You can starve for 4 days and lose nothing and then lose 4 lbs. the next 3 days. Or you can gain a pound when you starved all day and went to bed hungry. None of it made much sense.

When I was down 16 lbs. I went on a 4 day cruise with Maren. We tried to be careful and even worked out on the ship but there were those molten chocolate cakes at dinner and tempting food everywhere all day. I mostly resisted but came home up 4 lbs. I was able to get it off in a week—of starving. Now I would feel bad if Mike was home dieting but he was eating out at his favorite burger and fry joints while I was gone.

The worst part about dieting is going somewhere for dinner, like to one of our favorites, Market Street Broiler, with friends. I was good and had a salad. Mike ate clam chowder (40 fat grams worth) and the early bird halibut special with lots of French bread and ice cream at the end. I ate no bread. Then there was the family home evening where he ate 2 ice cream sundies for dessert. I had salad. And can I forget the box of Hostess cupcakes that I got for Michael. He ate one and Mike finished off the box to the tune of 3 before that evening was over. I could write another page about his cheats but you get the picture. Now tell me, is this fair?

Because of Mike’s hip replacement he was unable to exercise much during our dieting. I walked for an hour in the hills 3 days a week and biked 10 miles the other two. The exercise didn’t seem to make much difference in what I could eat.

On Friday night we celebrated our weight loss at Roosters. We had their wonderful bread pudding for dessert. The next day I was up 1 ½ lbs., not Mike. Will I ever eat again? It is no wonder we give up and decide that maybe it is not worth it. I wasn’t really that fat in the first place. But I am determined and hopefully I can stay that way. Mike seems determined too. He is even talking about losing another 5 lbs., but when you can eat like he can, why not.

Here is one last little diet secret that I picked up from Maren: if you are in a diet slump eat nothing but 5 apples in one day—every 2 hours from 10AM to 6PM. You can lose 2 lbs. in a day. It worked for me. Dieting is pure misery when you are a woman but it is also a conquering challenge—Women, charge on because in the end I lost the most.

CURRIED ZUCCHINI SOUP

I know it is summer and not necessarily soup season but when the fresh zucchini comes on I can't resist making this soup. It is hard to get good zucchini in the winter. It aways tastes bitter to me.

Chop ½ large or one small onion with 2 sliced garlic cloves and 2 T light oil butter in a dutch oven size pan. Stir until the onion and garlic are brown and caramelized. Add 1 rib if sliced celery and 5 cups of water. Simmer for 10 minutes and then add 1½ lbs of zucchini cut into cubes. (This is about 3 medium- 7-8 inches long and 2 inches wide) Small crook neck would be good too. Peel and cube one medium potato or one red potato with the skins on if you like. Then add 4-5 broccoli flowerettes or a little chopped cabbage (cabbage is good). The broccoli is optional but the restaurant I had this in said they added a little so I did and liked it. Frozen is fine. Simmer for 20 minutes until everything is soft. Blend—hopefully you have a hand blender, which is worth the $10 at Walmart. If not pour into the regular blender in batches as it fits. Add curry, salt and pepper to taste, I think people don’t like curry because recipes call for too much. Start with ½ tsp. and build up to the desired taste. I like Golden Curry paste in the oriental section of the grocer. I like 1 cube in this. Then add ½ C. whipping cream or 1 C. half and half.

MIKE'S STAINED GLASS

We planned from the inception of our Fruit Heights house that Mike would make a stained glass for our bathroom. He made two others for the house. One for my studio door and one for an entry transom that ended up too big and got moved to the basement family room.

We finally came up with an idea last fall. Mike is a project man. Once he gets started you know he will work consistently until his idea is a reality. He spent many hours last winter in the garage with his workshop heater on and then again this summer in the heat. He is a careful craftsman, always meticulous and concise. Stained glass has many precise steps from mapping the design, cutting and grinding the glass, making sure they fit together exactly, foiling the edge of each piece with copper, soldering the pieces together and adding the solder patina. (I get credit for the color choices) These are the biggest design he has ever done. The identical pieces are about 2’X4’ each and are framed together like a shutter on hinges so we can open them and clean the bathroom window behind. The afternoon sun shoots a colorful light show all over the bathroom as it shines through the many colors. Every time of day gives a different aura of color and glow. Our neighbors next door are lucky to see it from their dining room at night. (instead of us streaking by) I couldn’t be more pleased and Mike should be proud of his work. We will enjoy this beautiful piece of art for many years to come.

HOW TO STAY NORMAL IN A TECHIE WORLD

I think there is a rare person now days who does not spend too much time on media in its various forms. We humans are very addictive and then some have computer jobs and that compounds the problem. My husband brought this article home from work recently. I think the ideas to help us unhook are good. (Taken from "Crosstalk" July-August, Journal of Defense Software Engineering)

1. Turn off the computer, leave your cell phone and iPod at home. Invite family or friends on a walk. Talk about anything but talk the whole walk. If you are not talking, stop walking. When you start talking you can walk.

2. Read a book. Not a technical manual, not a comic book...and you can’t use your Kindle. Preferably classic literature (but not from iPhone’s "Classics" app). Don’t race to the end; instead, savor the story.

3. Take in a live concert, musical, play, or comedy.

4. Learn the basics of human communication—transmission, reception, as well as verification and validation—without the use of technology.

5. (For business) Add someone to your design team who knows absolutely nothing about technology or can recount the salient points of "les Miserables" in one minute.

The very technologies designed to bring us together are keeping us apart. They promote isolation instead of collaboration...In designing our brave new world—where everything is a click away—remember to ask yourself if that’s a good thing..."O wonder! How many goodly creatures are there here! How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world! That has such people in’t!" (Shakespeare, William, The Tempest. Act V, Scene I)

ENJOY THE PEOPLE MORE!