MONTEREY CALIFORNIA - A WEEK IN JANUARY

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We are lucky to have good friends who live in a beautiful place like Monterey California. We have had the opportunity to travel and stay here on numerous occasions. This year the weather was spectacular in the low 70's. It was nice to get out of the snow. Steve Whitmer is a golf marshal at Spanish Bay and was able to get Mike on several exotic golf courses for free, which is always nice. Even I golfed for the first time in my life and I had a couple of lucky shots...not enough to encourage me to take up the sport, however. There are some wonderful restaurants in the Monterey vicinity and we are 10 lbs heavier I am sure. We played lots of cards, layed on the beach, walked in Toro Park, went to the movies, perused the galleries in Carmel and spent time at the Monterey Sculpture Center owned by Larry Fischer. It is always interesting to see what they are creating there. Life is good when you have great friends.

GOD'S ARMS

Winter prevails, including the cold winter of disappointment for Maren. Her marriage hopes were dashed two weeks before Christmas. I have never had my heart ache quite like this but, I know it has been worse for her. My prayers for her have been pleading, soul wrenching, physically and mentally exhausting. What do you pray for when your daughters heart is broken? Scriptures came to my mind: “Surely he hath borne our grief and carried our sorrow.” (Isaiah 53:4) “...my peace I leave with you, not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27) Are these things that I could pray for? Are these prayers God would answer? I pleaded, hoping.

One day I thought, she needs to be “encircled about...in the arms of His love.” (2 Ne. 1:15) “Please God,” I cried, “let her feel your arms of love.” The next morning she called me. Her precious friends rallied and came to her aid. They cooked dinner and brought gifts. They rubbed her back and held her as she cried. They encircled her in the arms of their love. Oh, this is how it works. This is how prayers are answered.

I told her I was coming to see her. I told her I would clean and organize her house. She said, “No, that’s not what I need. Come and hold me and rub my back.” I did pray for this didn’t I? And then it was clear to me. I am not good at giving physical comfort. I am so task oriented and practical all I could think of was cleaning. Then I prayed a different prayer, “Please God, help me be better at being your arms.”

I have a young adult friend who writes poetry, Lindsay Hunt. After reading this blog she sent me her poem. I think it is wonderful and fits beautifully with my thoughts. Thanks Lindsay

Loving Arms

There is no greater feeling, than that of loving arms.
They can make you believe, you'll overcome anything that harms
The comfort and love that they possess,
Help so much to take away the stress.
With loving arms; they are always there,
No matter what, they'll be there to care!
The stress of life, they don't have to solve,
Just being there; they may help things evolve.
So turn to the arms, that you feel the most love,
They will try to help you start to rise above.
To feel of their comfort; everyone needs,
Before the loneliness of your heart bleeds.
Keep an eye out and an open heart to see;
You never know whose "loving arms" you may be!
~*Lindsay-Lou*~

CHRISTMAS 2008

GOD'S CAKE

Sometimes we wonder, "What did I do to deserve
this?" or "Why did God have to do this to me?" Here
is a wonderful explanation!
A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is
going wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend
broke up with her and her best friend is moving
away. Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks
her daughter if she would like a snack, and the
daughter says, "Absolutely Mom, I love your cake."
Here, have some cooking oil," her Mother
offers. "Yuck" says her daughter.
"How about a couple raw eggs?"
"Gross, Mom!"
"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking
soda?" "Mom, those are all yucky!"
To which the mother replies: "Yes, all those
things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are
put together in the right way, they make a
wonderfully delicious cake!
God works the same way. Many times we wonder why
He would let us go through such bad and difficult
times. But God knows that when He puts these things
all in His order, they always work for good! We just
have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all
make something wonderful!
I hope your day is a "piece of cake!"
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but
while we are here we might as well dance.

CASHEW BRITTLE

If your guests think this is peanut brittle they won't touch it but if they once get started on the Cashew Brittle they won't stop.

Get two large cookie sheets and turn them upsidedown and spray the bottom generously with pam. Cook in a large heavy saucepan. Raw cashews are a must. I like the broken ones but whole ones can be used.

2 C. Sugar

1 C. Lt. corn syrup
½ C. Water

Bring to boil and add 1 C. butter and cook to
Soft crack. I water test this candy. When you put a drop in cold water at this stage it should be hard but not crackle.

Add 3 C. raw cashews and cook stirring constantly with a wooden spoon to a hard crack. The nuts should be light brown and the syrup should

sizzle and crack when you put a drop in the cold water. Remove from the stove and stir in 1 tsp. baking soda then pour onto the bottom of 2 well greased cookie sheets.

With two forks, working quickly, stretch the candy off the sheet while hot to as thin as possible--It helps to have a butcher knife tocut pieces on the edge as you pull them off. Break into pieces when cool.

WHAT GIFT SHALL I LEAVE BEFORE HIM?

Dennis Rasmussen (The Lord’s Question, pp. 60-4, from the chapter "Knowest Thou the Condescension of God?")

A thousand years before a thousand years ago a holy night descended on the world.

In the darkness of Bethlehem the omnipotent God became an impotent Baby.

The hands that made the world and hung the stars in the sky were now just large enough to grasp a mother’s finger ...

What would be said of a God who came not in glory but in secret, a King who came not to command but to obey ...

He revealed that man’s greatness is not to be found in dominion over the will of another but in submission to the will of God ...

He began his life in a stable, that no one should ever feel too lowly to approach him ...

And now that I have come, what gift shall I leave before him?

I know, because he has told me, what will gladden his heart

"Love one another; as I have loved you … By this shall men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

As I bring the gift of love, I shall see the smile of my Lord Jesus Christ.

CHRISTMAS LETTER

Merry Christmas Family and Friends,

We are enjoying our new home and all of our new feathered friends in the trees in the wooded back yard. Mike came home one day with a big bag of birdseed and several bird feeders. We have our binoculars, bird books, and birdbath. This summer we had breakfast on the deck with the birds most days. Is this what old people do?

Mike is still working half time and since our 401K has turned into a 201K we may have to stretch it out as long as possible. We thought we might be planning a mission by now but Mike began having problems with his hips after the move last fall and the Dr. has confirmed that he needs hip replacements. He is trying to see another Dr. for a second opinion on when the best time to do it will be. I told him I am not sure I can go on a mission with him groaning so he needs to get an answer before we go.

Other than a couple of trips to St. George and a small jaunt to LA we have been pretty close to home all year. Mike has played golf regularly. He is keeping busy making frames for my paintings in his new workshop. He has a nice set up for working now and has recently started making two large stained glass panels for our master bath.

Mike is still our fearless Spanish discussion leader. In about 10 years I may know something but Mike knows Spanish. He even read the Book of Mormon in Spanish this year. He just needs an opportunity to immerse so he can actually learn to speak. I am sure we will get that opportunity in time.

I taught my 5th Family Writing class in February. I had a great group of writers and we have organized a monthly writing get-together to keep ourselves motivated. I started a blog last November and enjoy the opportunity to write and connect with other bloggers. It is another world and I think I am addicted.

Stop by and leave a comment now and then. The Mormon Times section of the Desseret News published 3 of my essays this fall. They are all on my blog.

I try to paint most days and love it. I have photos of my recent paintings on my blog. I may pursue getting into a gallery this year or at least have a home show. The paintings are piling up.

Mike and I put in a flagstone patio in the woods behind our house, which was more work than we wanted to do but it is nice. We have a fire pit for roasting marshmallows and are working on a Tarzan swing off the hill. I planted and maintained a little flower patch in the front. That was the extent of our gardening and we are not missing it at all.

We are enjoying our new neighbors here. We have a group of about 10 empty nesters that meet once a month for Family Home Evening. It has been a nice bonding event especially since our Ward is full of young people.

Beau is still in LA working for Electronic Arts making video games. He has a new little boy Luke, who is 6 months old living in LA.

Maren has been putting together a new Tai Pan store in Rancho Cucamonga, California off and on all summer and fall. We went to see the store. She did an awesome job. She went to the temple this year, which was a joyful experience.

Ian is still in Portland working as a bellhop. He had several showings of his artwork this year. He did a series of crashing horse pictures in a watercolor like medium called gouache. I need to get one posted on my blog.

Leif was accepted into the University of Washington’s photography program in Seattle. He is leaning toward teaching on a high school or jr. college level.
My grandson Michael started first grade this year. He suddenly started reading everything in sight. It has been quite amazing to watch. I have never seen anything like it.

Life is good. We are content and we keep busy. What more could we want?
We wish you all a Wonderful Christmas and the happiest New Year.

Love, Charmaine and Mike too

AUSTRALIA - Movie Review

I don't see a lot of movies. I am fussy in my old age. I can't do Batman or James Bond type movies anymore. If too many things blow up I am miserable. Then the sexy comedies drive me crazy. Mike says I only go to those movies where there is British accent. James Bond doesn't count here. The critics didn't like Australia much but I loved it. It is a wonderful epic story that they just don't make much anymore. The reviewers didn't like the series of different stories unfolding but I thought they were woven together beautifully with some sweet elements as the harmonica music and the villain who was left menacing until the very end still making me nervous; the emphasis on the importance of stories in the Aborigine culture and the sweet love story. Nicole Kidman played a great part starting out as a quirky character and gaining strength through her tough experiences. Hugh Jackman was perfectly cast in his tough sensitive role. I even cried and that hasn't happened in a long time. I give it 3 1/2 stars.

MEATBALLS

These are really moist and tasty meatballs. I have included the sauce recipe if you want to make bar-b-qued meatballs for a holiday party. To use them for Spaghetti and Meatballs just leave out the chile powder and put in a tsp. of basil leaves and 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese. This makes 75+ balls.

1 can of evaporated milk
3 lbs. of extra lean ground beef
(I have made them with ground turkey also)
2 C. quick oatmeal
2 eggs
1 C. Chopped onion
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. chile powder
Mix together well and form into desired size balls. Place close together on a cookie sheet and broil until they are lightly browned. Turn if you want but it is not necessary.

The sauce: 2 C. catsup, 1 1/2 C. Brown sugar 1/2 C. chopped onion and 1/2 tsp. garlic powder and 1 T. liquid smoke.

Pour the sauce over the meatballs and bake covered at 350 for 1 hour. Stir gently after 1/2 hour.

Make the entire batch and freeze half for a later time if this is too many for one use.