BAKLAVA RECIPE
This will be one of your favorite recipes ever. Inexpensive to make
and SO good!
Here is the 2nd half of the recipe
(how did this get in here?)
Phyllo Dough is really easy to use, but you have to move quick
or it can dry out. So have all the ingredients ready
ahead of time. If you have to leave, cover with damp towel
I use a 9x13 pan, and fold the leaves of dough over in half
I use two sheets at a time, goes quicker, with butter on each half
I don't use quite as many nuts as it calls for
After all the layers are made, cut into triangles with a SHARP knife.
This is a bit tricky so don't rush it.
After taking it out of the oven, slice through all the lines again
Then pour the hot syrup over the top
especially along the slits
Cool in fridge
Yummy!
Sometimes the bottom layer sticks to the pan, so use a
good spatula to pick up the whole piece.
RECIPE
Filling
4 cups finely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
*********
1 package Phyllo dough (in freezer case)
thawed
1 1/4 cups melted butter
**********
SYRUP
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup honey
2 tbsp. lemon juice (if you have any)
a few shakes of cinnamon
1 cup water
Bring the syrup to a boil, turn low and simmer while baklava bakes
Layer phyllo sheets into 9x13 pan brushing layers with butter, and about every
3 layers, sprinkle on chopped nuts.
Bake in 325 degree oven for 45-50 minutes
Slightly cool, then pour over syrup
ENJOY!
When you buy the phyllo dough, get two
because you'll want to make it again later
Keeps in the freezer for a long time.
Here is the 2nd half of the recipe(how did this get in here?)
Phyllo Dough is really easy to use, but you have to move quickor it can dry out. So have all the ingredients ready
ahead of time. If you have to leave, cover with damp towel
I use a 9x13 pan, and fold the leaves of dough over in halfI use two sheets at a time, goes quicker, with butter on each half
I don't use quite as many nuts as it calls for
After all the layers are made, cut into triangles with a SHARP knife.
This is a bit tricky so don't rush it.
After taking it out of the oven, slice through all the lines againThen pour the hot syrup over the top
especially along the slits
Cool in fridge
Yummy!Sometimes the bottom layer sticks to the pan, so use a
good spatula to pick up the whole piece.
RECIPE
Filling
4 cups finely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
*********
1 package Phyllo dough (in freezer case)
thawed
1 1/4 cups melted butter
**********
SYRUP
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup honey
2 tbsp. lemon juice (if you have any)
a few shakes of cinnamon
1 cup water
Bring the syrup to a boil, turn low and simmer while baklava bakes
Layer phyllo sheets into 9x13 pan brushing layers with butter, and about every
3 layers, sprinkle on chopped nuts.
Bake in 325 degree oven for 45-50 minutes
Slightly cool, then pour over syrup
ENJOY!
When you buy the phyllo dough, get two
because you'll want to make it again later
Keeps in the freezer for a long time.
SILVER FROST 
The day after Christmas we woke up to the most beautiful scene.
The day after Christmas we woke up to the most beautiful scene. The world had decorated itself with silver frost
but
I found out that some beauty cannot be captured with a camera
You had to be here!
*
LOVE TO EVERYONE I want you to know that I know Heavenly Father watches over
us all, and wants us all to come back
and live with Him again
*
CHRISTMAS EVE
Santa arrives tonight? BIG DEAL!Once a year's not that bad!
But facing this mob every day just drives a mother mad!
*
The thing that's over loaded is no longer Santa's sleigh
The thing that runs on overload is mother
every day is just like Christmas
preparation goes on constantly from morn til night
She must get an early start like Santa
in dawn's first light
to share her gifts with all the little folks
she'll be around today
*
A mother's ALWAYS on over load
and SHE comes every day!
*
This is a story written by my little sister Beth May King and I love her. 
Glistening icicles peaked off the roof making our back porch look like a gingerbread cookie house. The snow piled high alongside the path my father had shoveled to the shed at the back of our yard. It was a frosty Christmas Eve in 1952, in our small eastern Oregon town, and Dad told me to bundle up warm because he was taking me for a ride. I had finished playing 'flippim' on the carrom board with my two older brothers and was hoping I could prolong the time before Mom told me to get ready for bed. It was hard for a six year old to go to sleep on Christmas Eve because I kept listening for sounds that would give me clues to the mystery of Santa that I still half believed in. My brothers didn't help any, either. They teased constantly and delighted in my confusion. As Dad and I walked out the back door, I reveled in the fact that those brothers had to stay behind.
Glistening icicles peaked off the roof making our back porch look like a gingerbread cookie house. The snow piled high alongside the path my father had shoveled to the shed at the back of our yard. It was a frosty Christmas Eve in 1952, in our small eastern Oregon town, and Dad told me to bundle up warm because he was taking me for a ride. I had finished playing 'flippim' on the carrom board with my two older brothers and was hoping I could prolong the time before Mom told me to get ready for bed. It was hard for a six year old to go to sleep on Christmas Eve because I kept listening for sounds that would give me clues to the mystery of Santa that I still half believed in. My brothers didn't help any, either. They teased constantly and delighted in my confusion. As Dad and I walked out the back door, I reveled in the fact that those brothers had to stay behind. *
As we walked through the back porch, I could smell the warm, pungent scent of the carrot pudding Mom was steaming in Crisco cans in the roaster plugged in by the woodbox. A shiver of excitement danced across my shoulders as we trudged down the path and climbed into the truck Dad used for his shop deliveries. He owned a bike shop and supported all nine of us by selling and repairing all the bikes in the county.
*
I thought we were on the way to Gale's Grocery for a last-minute item Mom needed to round out tomorrow's Christmas dinner. But instead, Dad drove on past Main Street's blinking red and green light and pulled into an alley behind a row of houses on the other side of town. He stopped, got out of the truck, and went around to the back. I watched through the frosty back window as he pulled down a new tricycle with multi-colored plastic streamers poking out of the handlegrips. Dad brought it around to my side of the truck and asked me to read the name on a list lying on the seat of the truck while he checked the tag on the trike to make sure it matched. Then I watched with some confusion as he carried it up to the dark back porch, opened the latch and slid it inside. Then he hopped back into the warm truck and we drove on a little farther. He eased into the side driveway of another strange house, and this time pulled a shiny red Schwinn Speedster, with chrome fenders, across the tailgate. We checked the tags again and I helped him quietly steer the bike up the driveway and wheel it through a side door of the garage. Just as the tag said, the door had been left unlocked to receive the special delivery. As we moved back to the truck through the crunchy snow, I was starting to catch on.
*
More stops were made, and bikes, trikes and wagons were delivered as Christmas magic was being made without ever a word spoken between my Dad and me. Not once did I question. I just realized we were making memories---memories for the children who would find the
Schwinn 'typhoons' or 'manta rays' with big balloon tires and shiny spokes glimmering under their tree on Christmas morning.
*
That 1952 Christmas delivery ended with a tired little girl being carried inside and tucked into bed by her father, not disallusioned, but warm and secure for having been allowed to participate in the magic of Christmas.
Those Christmas Eve deliveries became a tradition for my father and me, and as I reflect on his thoughtfulness in making those last-minute deliveries and in allowing me to help him, I realize that the magic he created on Christmas Eve was only symbolic of all he did the rest of the year.
Dad was quiet, soft-spoken and always a fine example of integrity as he dealt with customers and he trained many young men who worked after school and on Saturdays in the shop. He taught them how to tighten spokes and paint frames as well as how to treat customers fairly and deal with adverse situations. He always had a willing ear to listen to problems concerning the home lives of the boys who worked on an adjacent workbench, and lending quiet advice when he thought it would be well received and was called for.
*
He helped prepare missionaries and gave the boys a start on their college educations. Throughout the years he received many letters and remembrances from those whose lives he touched.
*
I think the thing that most impresses me when I recall those years of hard work in the shop was the CALM. I don't ever remember Dad discussing a problem concerning lack of money or means to do things for the family. He never ranted and raged about the hardships involved in working all those days and evenings throughout the wintertime of slow business. He just plugged along and did what had to be done. Many of those Christmas deliveries probably weren't even paid for when they were delivered---he didn't want to disapoint anxious young children just because their parents couldn't pay right then.
*
As the years blur and the past grows misty with happy recollections, I yearn for the simpler times and wish I could raise my children in the same peace and happiness of 1950s Baker, Oregon. The compensation comes, however, in the form of memories---from which I glean principles and attributes that have become a part of me. As I reflect, I can see examples Mom and Dad used to help me become a better person and I try to use them with my own children. I hope I can give them basic character traits that will help mold their lives so that they will achieve the happiness I have found. The examples are surely there for me to follow.
*
And every Christmas Eve I remember, and feel glad.
*
CHRISTMAS AGAIN!
Christmas is almost here! whether I'm ready or not! The stores are still open for the things I forgot
But I'm not going! It's snowing!
I'll be walking out side
to soak in the peacefulness, mouth opened wide
I will let the snow melt, Oh! it felt good to me
when I was a kid, that's how I want to be
*
When I open my gifts I hope I find a sled
and that night, after prayers, when I jump into bed
I'll remember who slick that snow felt on the hill
and I went down more times than my Dad
What a thrill to go sledding
I'm dreading that I must stay old
and go to my office and do what I'm told
*
but my mind will be tasting that hot cocoa, steaming
and I will be young!
deep in memories
dreaming
*
When I was a kid my Dad would take us all in the back of his pick-up to a special sledding place near-by, and what fun it was to sled even if you had to wait your turn. Now we live just below a hill, and when the kids come, they get taken up the hill in a truck or with the tractor, and can go right down to our house if the snow is just right.
*
We used to have a big supply of coats, in case some one came without one, mostly down that I had picked up at yard sales or the DI , but last week we gathered up most of them and took them to the PEOPLE TO PEOPLE store, where prices are low and if people don't have money, they are free. Lots of cold people around this year. We also took 2 large boxes of apples to the Salvation Army, they take food to poor people, she said many are out of money and food this year. In fact, I think we'll take the rest that we saved for us to donate also. I'd hate to be out of food. It's a hard time for folks, and we are greatly blessed! Besides, we don't need applesauce and I'm tired of canning anyway.
*
I don't go sledding any more, I'm the photographer and the cocoa maker. Just as fun.
*
Christmas isn't Christmas without people
don't you see?
It wouldn't really be much fun
with only you and me
because we need to have some children
who have Santa on their mind
and we need to see some old folks
who are smiling, feeling kind
who are remembering when they were young
a hundred years ago
Christmas isn't Christmas without people Don't you know
that we need Mary, by the manger
in the warm, sweet smelling hay
holding baby Jesus
on this blessed Christmas day
*
NOTICE
The tabernacle Choir Christmas broadcast will be on
Christmas Eve, Dec. 24th
on PBS
7:30 in Oregon time
so check your own area
This was on one day this past week, and it is without a doubt
THE BEST
SHOW
they have ever done.
I was amazed, and you will be too.
Bell ringing, singing, dancing, readings
DON'T MISS IT
*
NEW BABY HILL
BERKLEY SENTA
BERKLEY SENTA BORN DECEMBER 15TH 2009
6 LB. 8 OZ.
18.5 INCHES
This is the proud papa, Daniel They had one girl, four boys, and now here comes another little girl
She is Karen's grandchild #6
she is our great-grandchild # 13
A new baby at Christmas time! What a blessing!
Congratulations Hills
*
Just look at those chubby little fingers, I want to hold her!
Alas, they are in far away Michigan
When Daniel was little, Karen worked while Brad was in school, so I got to tend
Daniel. I loved those days, when he was 2, so he's always been special.
*
MERRY CHRISTMAS
*
Someone cleaned the kitchen!
My best gift of the day
All the dishes have been washed
and dried and put away
I went to bed so tired
now I wake up
WHAT A TREAT!
All the cupboards cleaned and washed
and everything so neat!
A GIFT OF SELF!
I do not know who gave it
while I was in my bed
but thank you
thank you loved one
and blessings on your head
*
Dee and I were remembering Christmas past. More than once, late on Christmas eve we checked under the tree to see how things evened out for the 7 kids. That's a lot of packages, which had been moved and shaken and inspected many times.
*
One year in particular we realized that young David didn't have as many gifts as the others, so we went to the only store open that late, the corner 7-eleven. There wasn't much there, I think maybe a flashlight and some candy. We decided Christmas Eve was too late to count up.
*
Another fun year was the year of the bikes. We rode bikes a lot then, and they were quite old. So I decided to buy Dee a new bike. Two or three weeks before the day was a long time to keep it hidden, so Mark suggested we store it in a friend's garage. A few days later, Dee bought me a new bike, and once again Mark suggested that he take the bike over to the Kinghorn's house.
*
Imagine our surprise on Christmas Day to find TWO blue almost identical bikes out on the patio.
A good plan Mark and Linn had, and we had lots of fun riding the shiny new vehicles.
*
.....at Christmas Christ comes to us like a little child, small and helpless,
so much in need of all that love can give. Are we ready to recieve Him?
Before the birth of Jesus His parents asked for a simple dwelling place,
but there was none. If Mary and Joseph were looking for a home
for Jesus, would they choose your house and all it holds?
Mother Teresa
Oh, Saviour, stay this night with me
it seems so easy to say
when you've been married thirty years
and things are going your way
and you've an empty bedroom, all made up
with sheets both clean and white
Your could tell the Lord, come in!
Come in, and spend the night
but wait!
go back with me 2000 years
picture Mary, meek and mild
and Joseph, knocking on the door saying
'We have God's own child within
we need a bed, a little food
and love...have you any to spare?
We're expecting the Son of God
do you have some to share?
If
Mary and Joseph were looking for
a house for their own son
would they coose yours? and all it holds?
Each night as day is done
would they find you, with family gathered round
as you kneel in family prayer
and would they hear the singing?
and the laughter in the air
and
would they hear the scripture study
as you learn of God's great plan
and would they say
'Let's leave our son right here'
I hope they can because
each home should be a place of love
where children love to be
and every child that comes to us was God's
eternally
that He has loaned us for a few short years saying
''This is a child of mine
Be careful how you handle him because
he is divine'
We need a lot of Christmas to carry us through the year
We need to reach a LOT of folks
to share the joy we hear inside
When we say I know God loves me
and he knows who I am
I am called to be a shepherd to help tend all the lambs
*
God watches over all the earth
but he's doing it through YOU!
You must be tender and awake and alive
to make other's dreams come true
*
So the question that's before us is not
what will I get this day?
but since I'm my brother's keeper how much can I give away?
*
The Magi brought the babe a gift
How full your joy will be when you share
TIME
a gift of love that the Christ-child alone will see
HAULIDAYS
It's true, these are the haulidays, when we haul in lots of toys
We haul in all the relatives, who haul in lots of noise
We haul in piles and piles of wood which we burn to keep us warm
and then we haul out ashes, to keep fires from causing harm
*
We haul in bags and bags of food we buy down at the store
and then we cook and eat it, then haul garbage out galore
and when it snows and snows and snows
we haul out mittens and coats for play
and then we have to shovel snow forever and a day
to keep the roads and drive-ways open, so more relatives can come
and haul in all the New Year's paraphanalia
Oh, it's begun
to be a hauliday-long season, lasting clear to Valentine's day
*
What happened to that manger scene, where angels came to say
'This is a holy-day, for Christ is born'
and a few sheperds crossed the land
to honor Him and worship?
I fear Christmas is out of hand
and we go on with hauling trees inside to decorate for a week
and then we have to haul them out
Where's the Saviour wise men seek?
*
Oh! listen for the bells and watch for stars
and the message the angel brings
instead of all this hauling in and out
of worldly things
*
We're brimming over with Christmas
Spirit spreads across the floor
and reaches out to lighted trees
and then it starts to soar
toward the neighbor's house
and down the road
and all the way to town
*
Once the spirit starts to grow
it cannot be held down
but I will need to keep a bit for me
a leavening to share
so others, seeing, will feel the love
of Christmas everywhere
and it will start to grow
inside of them
and spread out far and wide
Look out for the Christmas spirit!
It's impossible to hide
*
1 Corinthians 5:6
....know ye not that a little leaven
leaveneth the whole lump?
TREE TRADITIONS
It seems like everyone has important things
that they do in their families. Things done every
year, over and over, that you can just depend on.
that's what this story is about....a 'TRADITION'
We all got together to decorate the Christmas tree when the kids were little, after we'd all gone tromping through the snow to pick it out, and maybe even roasted marshmallows, if we weren't too wet and cold.
*
It was tradition for Mark, our oldest son, to put the lights up. Dee had done it the first few years we were married, then passed the responsibility on down the line. Mark would string them all over the floor, plug them in to test, replace worn bulbs
(all the while trying to keep two or three younger kids from stepping on them) then finally he'd start to put them on the tree.
*
It was MY responsibility every year to tell Mark that the only way to do it was to start at the top and work his way down. He inwardly wondered why, but he never questioned. He just did it.
Year after year this routine was followed, with all the kids joining in to put on the decorations. Some years after everyone was asleep, I'd go back and re-arrange a few balls, or put up more shiny tinsel to cover the 'youthfulness' of the decorating.
*
Mark left for a mission in New Zealand, after his first year of college, and someone else took over his duty with the lights. We really missed him and the holidays just weren't the same.
He arrived back home in September and it was an exciting time when tree-time rolled around again, and Mark was once more getting the lights sorted out on the floor.
The first thing he did was plug in the end of the string at the outlet and proceed to weave the lights upward. I told him, "No, that's wrong, it won't work out if you start at the bottom"
*
Wiser than in days past, he sat down on the floor and leaned against the wall. This time, he was ready to reason. "Tell me, Mom, just why did I always have to start at the top? 'cause lots of times, when I got all done, the bottom of the cord was clear away from the plug and we had to find an extension cord. Why was that the only way?"
*
I sat silent, as I tried to find reasons for my rules. I had no answer at first, then he broke the silence. "You know, if I plug it in first, it just comes out even, no matter where I put the lights"
Finally digging deep in my past, I remembered.........
*
When I was little we had a shiny metal star that went on top of the tree. That was the first thing my Dad put up, then he started with the lights. The end light on the string HAD to be on the top of the tree, to go through the center of the star. And (Mark was right) usually at the bottom, he had to add an extension cord to reach the plug, often stretching across the room.
*
So, there it was. All those years my system had been based on a totally unrealistic event in my past. The interesting thing was that for 18 years, Mark had done it my way, even though he knew his way was better. Not because he was afraid of me, but probably because he respected my place as his parent. All these years, I'd been doing our tree the same way, and the wonder of it all was.......we didn't even have a star on top!
*
I learned a lot that day. I learned that my kids knew more than I did in a lot of things. I learned that I was influenced greatly by my childhood, and needed to be careful not to assume that old ways are the best ways. Just because my Dad did things a certain way, didn't mean that other ways were not equally good. And I learned a deep respect for my son, who did it my way for years, even though he knew a better way.
*
I have since learned that knowledge has no age boundaries. It has no beginning and no ending, and I now watch and listen to my youngest grand-child, to see what he can teach me. and I'm never disappointed.
*
PEACE ON EARTH TIME
You know, Jacob tipped over our Christmas tree
It happens at least once a year
If we didn't have little problems like that
we wouldn't know Christmas is near
and when that tree fell, we said, "oh, well"
and set it up straight, 'cause this is the season we all love
We don't ever hate all through December days
We sing God's praise, the feeling's divine
We listen to hear the angels sing
It's peace on earth time
*
You know, when we're out shopping the bell ringers ring
The sound makes our hearts open wide
We reach in our pockets and get out our change
and we feel God's love deep inside
It's a feeling called Christmas, when children just can't wait
to look for the reindeer
'Can we please stay up late
on Christmas eve?'
Our hearts are full of love, the feeling's divine
We listen to hear the angels sing
It's peace on earth time
*
I wrote this poem a lot of years ago when one of my favorite grandsons, Jake tipped over the Christmas tree. I'm sure it wasn't the first time, or the last time, it's happened to most of us one year or the other. He's got a two year old now, little Riley. Maybe she'll be tipping it over this year. Watch out, Jana
SANTA FROM THE PAST
This Santa was around when I was a little girl. No body, just a head. The zipper on the top of his hat can zip open, I guess to put stuff in. Anyway, I got to keep it.
The Raggedys are all above the fireplace this year, I got tired of angels from last year. Good for a change
Here we have David, the tree-cutter this year. He says it's a 'Charlie Brown' tree, but what can you expect for 5 bucks?
And of course, what is Christmas without a few
teddy bears, right? All colors. I read this week of a lady who
owned 6,500, set a world record in the Guiness book
Boy, and Dee used to think I was nuts when I had 32!
HAPPY GET READY FOR CHRISTMAS
TIME!
This week was decorate the tree time. Right next door they raise trees, half the people in town came out and paid $30.00 for one, but David decided to get a $5.00 permit and cut his own. So he went up with two other friends, tied three trees on top of a small car (where was my camera?) and he put on the lights and left the rest to me. The best part of decorating is the memories, especially if you have reminders of trips you took in past days. 
Going to Seaside is always great. one year with Linn and Keiko
Going to Seaside is always great. one year with Linn and Keiko where they have a time share, another year with Allen and Beth. Now we watch the snow fall outside and remember how warm it was.
Not really, Oregon beach water is seldom warm.
Just beautiful
Picking Brian up after his mission in Ecuador in 1988 was a high point for all of us. So many cute hand made
ornaments . We spent two weeks, also taking in
Peru and Machu Pichu. We came home on Thanksgiving
to a huge snow storm. He had to shovel snow at the
office before we even came home to find Ruth and Elaine and
families and their friends waiting with turkey and trimmings
plus
two new babies that Brian hadn't met, Jason and Nicole
I went to Osaka, Japan in 1985 with Linn and Keiko for 5 weeks where we met her parents and planned
a future wedding. I was a tag-along, but loved
every minute of the trip. I also spent some days
in Tokyo with neice Linda
FUN times
FUN times
The pink fish are Japanese also and the little hula girl of course is
Hawaii. While Dee was practicing medicine, we were
able to go there twice, plus we stopped there
with Mark after we met him at the end of his
New Zealand mission for another really nice
two weeks together before he could take off his suit
and become a 'real' person again
*
Travel would be somehow wasted
if while away
we never tasted change
it would be strange
to travel
far away and then come back
and follow the same beaten track
and never know
we were there to grow
*
(and buy Christmas ornaments)
*
*
Actually, there is nothing quite like going out to pick up a son who has just finished serving a mission. They are so filled with the spirit, and Dee was made their companion until we got back home. He said later, "I've never said so many prayers in my life" Somehow that doesn't always last, and it's easy to slip back into our old habits again, where 6 times a day is just too hard. But we'll never forget meeting all the people in Ecuador who "loved" Elder Fuller, or visiting with Mark's mission president, who helped set patterns that still guide his days as Stake president.
If you have a chance to meet your missionary........DO IT!
The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul.
No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or ability
we each have an inherent wish to create something
that did not exist before
We develop ourselves and others when we take
unorganized matter
into our hands
and mold it into something
of beauty
*
Dieter Uchtdorf
--------------------
For a hundred that can bear adversity,
there is hardly one that can
bear prosperity
*
Thomas Carlyle
A LATE THANKSGIVING POEM
Over the river and through the woods, it just isn't true any more
My Grandma lives in an apartment
and we drive right up to the door
'cause the snow plow came ealy and scraped off her sidewalk
No need for the horse or the sleigh
If you sit and long for the days that are gone
You better wake up! 'cause today
*
Grandma hasn't been up half the night, making great preparations
with the big turkey looking so grand
Grandma's a gal of the future!
She let WALMART take their knife in hand
and the turkey was cooked, pulled apart, and the pressed back together
pushed back inside of its skin
and all Grandma does is just heat it a bit
dinner is almost ready, DIG IN!
*
Remember that mound of potatoes, all smashed after peeling and cooking and such?
My Grandma just calls BETTY CROCKER
who has them ready and they do not cost much, you just heat up the milk
add some water and butter and stir
and like magic! potatoes appear
Stir the package of gravy mix into the water
and we know dinnner is getting quite near.
*
somehow I miss all the smells of the past with onions and celery boiling
for stuffing now STOVE TOP replaces the smells
and elimanates most of the toiling
My Grandma then opens a big can that has sweet potatoes, all peeled, cooked and golden
She puts on brown sugar and butter and pops them in the oven
*
Now in the past days called OLDEN my Grandma spent houRS making salads, setting this,
peeling that, all day through
but now she just drops in to SAFEWAY
where the deli has several
and you simply give them some money, a half pound of this, one of that
and you're off to the freezer to see what kind of pies Grandma is planning this year
with the help of her friend SARA LEE
*
When Grandma was young she made all kinds of pickles
and she thought that the praise was divine
but now she buys VLASICKS at Albertson's
and she says, "They're exactly like mine"
and the corn that she used to grow, husk, and prepare
and put in the bottles so fine, have now been replaced by a small box
in the freezer, and she says, "BIRDSEY'S better than mine"
We just pop in the microwave, give it a spin , add some butter
and it's time for the rolls to begin
No kneading, no yeast, just open the sack from the bakery
and its time to dig in!
*
Well , in a flash dinner's gone and it doesn't much matter
if the cooking took hours or days
Everyone's happy on holidays, and everyone sings Grandma's praise
and then Grandnpa says, "I'll do the dishes", gets out a glad bag
and dumps all the trash out of sight
Silverware, dishes, disposable everything but No bones to pick for tonight when its all said and done, it's the fun
not the food that we went for, and the love we could feel
and the cousins and all of the relatives close that makes
Thanksgiving memories real and there's one thing that no one has started to package
One thing you can't buy at the store
That is the hug that my Grandma still gives to the kids
when they come in the door
*
There is no key to happiness
The door is always open
Come on in
HALLELUJAH NUT BREAD 
In our local newspaper was an article about making banana nut bread.
In our local newspaper was an article about making banana nut bread. She said, not liking bread that came out dry,
she had spent 2 weeks trying every combination she could think of
*
When she finally came up with this one, which is light and fluffy and moist,
she was so excited she shouted "Hallelujah"
*
So...here you have the recipe.
*
This is for one loaf, I doubled it and got 3 good size loafs
*
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups chopped nut
*
Stir together making a hole in center
In a separate bowl, beat with spoon
2 eggs
add
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (about 8 large ones)
1/4 sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla
1 stick melted butter (cooled)
*
Spray pan with Pam, heat oven to 350 degrees
*
Pour liquid into flour mixture to combine
Pour into pan and bake for 70-90 minutes
*
This loaf would be very large, I cooked in three pans for about 1 hour.
*
The 1st one I tipped out was not done and fell apart
(so we had to eat it right then, nice and warm)
I left the other 2 in for another 14 minutes, and it was just right.
*
I didn't have sour cream, substituted vanilla yogurt.
I also added
1 package of butterscotch chips
*
Dee said I had to put this on the blog, much better than my old recipe.
Yummy!
*
This sounds complicated, but it's really quick to mix up
Thanksgiving is the most wonderful day, especially when everyone pitches in. Curt is a master at cutting up a turkey. Stand back, that knife is sharp! Poor Turkey.
Colton wanted to Show David
and grandma and grandpa how good he could
ride his new bike. Grandma almost got run over by a Colton!
ride his new bike. Grandma almost got run over by a Colton!
Yeah, what do you say! This is Elaine's Sarah Pallin impression. Yeah I know, it's a stretch.
REMEMBERING REMEMBER
In my family we have an ancestor who came over on the Mayflower. Her Father was named Isaac Allerton. She had an older sister named Mary and a brother named Barthlomew, and her name was Remember. 
I am her 9th Great Granddaughter, on Grandpa May's Line. She was married to a man named Moses Maverick.
I am her 9th Great Granddaughter, on Grandpa May's Line. She was married to a man named Moses Maverick.
The trip on the ship was very hard, she was only 6 years old. Her mother had a baby that died when they first got to Plymouth, and she died a short time later. They were on the ship for a total of six weeks, and almost half the people died within the first year that 
they were in America.
Remember lived for many years, and had a big family, and years and years later, one of them was ME
I was going to write a book about her once, then I found that someone else had done it, so these are her pictures, which is very good because I don't do pictures. The book is called "Three Young Pilgrims" by: Cheryl Harness
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
they were in America.Remember lived for many years, and had a big family, and years and years later, one of them was ME
I was going to write a book about her once, then I found that someone else had done it, so these are her pictures, which is very good because I don't do pictures. The book is called "Three Young Pilgrims" by: Cheryl Harness
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
COLTON & THE BOOKS 
Colton loves to have books read to him, and this year he is in 1st grade and will be reading himself but book-reading is still fun
Some times even Krista likes to listen, cause every kid likes to be close to their Grandma
Some times even Krista likes to listen, cause every kid likes to be close to their Grandma
Once there was a little boy and Colton was his name
He just loved to read his books
whenever Grandma came
He always said, "I'll be right back" and off he'd run to find a book
The trouble was, he always found about 17 books to look at
Then
his Grandma sat by Colton
or they laid down on a bed and they just had a wonderful time
as they read and read and read.
*
Sometimes the books were funny and it just made Colton laugh
like, if it was about Little Critters or maybe a giraffe
that couldn't sing
Once in a while they would watch TV and then they liked to hide
all wrapped up in blankets with only them inside
*
When Colton reads with Grandma
with their blankets and their books
sometimes there are pictures that they talk about and look at
*
Some books do not have pictures, they are only filled with words
Then Colton only cuddles in and listens
Once he heard
about a prophet who lived long ago, He was a hero too
whose name was called Moroni
Colton loves stories that were true
and Colton loves
stories that are just pretend, in fact he doesn't really care
WHAT the book's about as long as Grandma's also there
No computer, no TV
no cell phones ring
just
Grandma and ME
*
and after Grandma goes home then his Mom or Dad can be
all wrapped up in their blankets
but
they won't watch the TV
and they will not go out to play and they won't even ride their horse
*
Why?
because they'll be inside
just reading Colton's books!
Of course!
*
This morning I was up early and watched (and listened) to BYU study on D&C 76. What a great section that is. I was impressed when we got to verses 25-26.
And this we saw also, and bear record, that an angel of God
who was in authority in the presence of God,
who rebelled against the Only Begotten Son whom the Father loved
and who was in the bosom of the Father, was thrust down
from the presence of God and the Son.
And was called Perdition, for the heavens wept over him
He was Lucifer, a son of the morning
That is so sad, to think that all of heaven wept over him. I remembered a poem I wrote once, a "think about it" poem, so I rummaged around and found it, and wanted to share it.
**
Satan must be a tired old man, hanging around since time began
to thwart God's plan for men on earth
undermining our self worth
If man could only realize we exist beyond the skies
where Satan sat, all wrapped in glory
(as we did)
and heard God's story
*
As the Gods laid out the plan and chose the Christ to die for man
I wonder
what did the old man say when he did not get HIS way
and God said
"Your garments of glory I remove this hour
but because you'll need some power
I'll let you keep you glory shoes
Still, you'll need to pay your dues throughout all time
going to and fro
causing confusion, so man won't know that earth is meant for peacefulness
A time when others he should bless"
*
Satan must feel tired and old after doing for ages what he'd been told to NOT do
going against God word
or trying to pretend he had not heard
I wonder
does he feel like me and some days longs to just be free
and have another chance to choose
but he stands there
in his glory shoes saying
*
"How I need a hug from heaven
to once more feel that I've been given my power and my glory back!
and feel the spirit I now lack?
Oh, garment, wrap me in your glory
I'm tired!
please tell me heaven's story!"
Actually, the scripture I was reading when I wrote it was from Job 1:6-7
"....now there was a day when the children of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said to Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, from going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it."
I love getting up early to study, then you don't have a guilty conscience all day that you haven't done it. Plus it turns you on to want to do more later if you can. In Sunday School yesterday a gal with 7 young kids said their best time for scripture reading was while they were eating breakfast.....a good idea, providing you eat breakfast together.
I also learned that Joseph Smith re-wrote that section in poetry 11 years later, I'll find it and share it with you later.
Have a great day!
ALEX AND THE PRETZELS
Several years go we were returning from Michigan on a plane, and just across the aisle from us a mom and a dad and a little girl named Alex (we knew her name was Alex, because her father had been trying, quite loudly, to reason with her) The stewardess had brought us drinks and snacks, and one of the pretzels in Alex's package was broken, and she was most unhappy. In fact she was being unreasonable about it.
Several minutes went by, with the father getting more and more upset, and finally he said, "I don't want to hear it! Just be quiet and take a nap!" By now he was the one who was out of control and everyone on the plane was embarrassed for the way he was acting. As I sat writing in my notebook, analyzing the problem, I came up with these suggestions:
It seems like there are many things that parents can't control in their child
1. You can't make him go to sleep
2. The child can wet his pants without your permission
3. You can say, "I don't want to hear it" but he probably won't stop
The only real thing a parent has power over is how HE will react to the way the child is behaving RULE #1 Back off! No one else cares if they mind you, we just want all little kids happy. RULE #2 Don't feel you have to prove anything in front of others, especially the grandparents. We've been there, we've done that! and we know kids need to feel they have free agency, just like big people do.
Now, if I were ever on a plane again with a little kid who I wanted to be free from I'd stand up and say, "O.K. who wants to volunteer? I'm tired of this kid!" and I'd hope some Grandma would say, "Pass him over" Because most little kids traveling are tired of their parents by now anyway. or the child could get up in the aisle and say "I need someone new to sit beside, who wants me?" and someone new could play a game, or sing a song, and instead of the Dad saying, "Now take a nap!" he could take one, because he's really the one who needs it.
Granted, this 4 year old girl was crying because she didn't want a broken pretzel, but when you're 4 years old and you just woke up and you're still tired, broken pretzels are important. About 20 minutes later the storm inside her had passed and she was acting happy again, but we all remembered how the Dad reacted. And it wasn't his fault.
There are some things Dads can't fix, like broken pretzels. It's an unreasonable thing, but maybe he could have helped Alex reason it out for herself. For instance:
Dad: I'm sorry it's broken, I'd be mad too. Why don't you fix it?
Alex: I can't do that. It won't go back together
Dad: Then if you can't do it, let's have Mom do it (or say a prayer, maybe God can fix it)
I know! Let's ask the stewardess for another package. She's probably the one who broke it
In the end I decided we need a new rule on planes
NO MORE BROKEN PRETZELS!
Sue somebody, or get a government grant to study this problem, or take a survey
No child on that flight was more tired than I was of being there.
Too bad big people can't holler and cry and get away with it.
#
....as for man his days are as grass; as a flower
of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind
passeth over it, and it is gone, and the place
therof shall know it no more
Psalms 103:15-16
The days of man are as a field, flowering with grass
We forget that we, like time and life
all three will pass and we are gone
A cool wind whispers and the place thereof shall be erased
like all existance
Man is immortality
*
Man walketh on the wings of wind
and vaults up steps of song
back to a pre-existant point in time
where we belong
*
OCTOBER IN OREGON
We have this tree in the back yard, which is just THERE
when I open the drapes every morning, so gorgeous!
So this morning I called Dee in so I could
take a picture of him.
It was amazing how much better the leaves looked
with him in the picture.
Makes for a great, great fall day.
I know I put Karen's photo in before, but I'm still canning pears, and I just love this picture. Daughters are wonderful!
This season of the year always reminds me of that old primary song from many, many, many years past
APPLES RED AND APPLES YELLOW
ROUND AND JUICY, SWEET AND MELLOW
LOAD THE TREES TIL THEY BEND OVER
AND THEIR BRANCHES TOUCH THE CLOVER
CHILD
BE GLAD WITH ALL THAT LIVES
BUT FORGET NOT GOD WHO GIVES
*
Having just watched conference, I can also add that GOD LIVES! and it is such a great thing
to know. We were able to watch all the talks at home......they were all so good. It seems like in years past, they told you what you were doing wrong, or needed to repent of, but nowdays
we just hear "Great job! Keep on being good and we'll all make it back home together"
It feels like this is going to be a good day!
PEAR CANNING WITH KAREN 
Karen came from Idaho Falls for a quick week-end of pear canning and apple
picking. She came all alone, so she was a kid and not a Mom like usual at home.
Most of the cascades weren't ripe, but we did bartletts. Cascades have red skins,
but taste just like bartletts. In fact, that is my favorite.
Then we picked apples, and made some apple pie filling. and a great apple crisp. It was really fun to have her here,
even though it was for a short time. In all our 27 years with the orchard,
she has never been here at picking and canning time. Michigan was just too
far away. We also went to church, and she helped me teach
Relief Society
So she headed back on Monday with a car full of fruit, some in jars and some
boxes to drop off along the way to other kids.
Thanks for coming Karen, everything is more fun if you're not doing it alone!
We love you!
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