Ah! A Solution . . .

It didn't take me long after meeting my Mother-in-Law ("Mom") to figure out where my hubby got his creativity! There's little he tries that he can't do well and the same was true for his Mother (we lost both of Steve's parents in 2005). She was a "Master Gardener," a good cook, sewed beautifully, and loved all sorts of crafts. She owned her own kiln and like to create her own pottery designs.

When Mom died and we cleaned out their home, there were dozens and dozens of pots she had made. We brought several home with us including a couple of rather unusual collections. I chose several tiny pots in assorted colors for the grandchildren's room, as a reminder of their great grandmother. One of the tiny pots is home to Ky's lost teeth, once the Tooth Fairy has paid her dues.

The other unusual collection is pictured below. The pots are more contemporary in design than is our home; nevertheless, I liked them because Mom designed them. I was determined that I would figure out something to do with them besides just display them. They work well for dried flower arrangements but, due to the shallow bottoms and "holes," they don't work well for plants. Until now . . .

I hit upon the idea to plant tiny succulents in them which could peek out the various holes. And I decided that despite their being contemporary, they might look cute clustered on the front steps. I'm really enjoying the reminder of Mom when I come up the steps, and seeing the little plants grow. I think Mom would approve.

Happy Birthday, Gingersnap!

Our beautiful granddaughter Brittany turned 15 on May 13. We tried repeatedly to find a time for the entire family to get together to celebrate Gary's birthday (May 10; Mother's Day this year), Mother's Day, and Britt's birthday, but to no avail. So, we finally celebrated Gary's birthday with his family (see earlier post) and, last evening we celebrated Britt's birthday with Jon's family.

As you can see in the picture, Britt has the most beautiful (and thick!) red hair. Her Papa (who has a nickname for almost everyone he knows well) nicknamed her Gingersnap, and that stuck. We have a relatively small family here so I generally ask the honoree to choose her/his own menu. Britt wanted (and got) the following:
Grilled Tri-tip (Papa was in charge of that; he's Master of the Big Green Egg)
Mashed Potatoes
Corn-on-the-Cob
Hot Rolls (w/ Huckleberry Jam, from MT)
Tossed Salad w/ Roped Provel (Britt calls it "that creamy cheese that comes in little strings" :)
Cheesecake

It's hard to believe that she's already in high school and will soon be driving. Where does the time go?!! Thankfully, even as a teenages, she is a sweetheart and a joy to have around which, of course, at this age, happens less and less, as she's busy with friends and activities.

I used the tiny vases again (most of which are crystal salt and pepper shakes from garage sales or flea markets) and made individual bouquets (see photo). These were prettier than last week's inasmuch as we now have more flowers in bloom. Britt particularly loved the "purple ones" (the Iris); I particularly love them because I transplanted the Iris bulbs from both my Mother's and my Mother-in-law's yards.

My "Baby" Turns the Big 4-0!

I guess my blogging style could best be described as "Feast or Famine;" I go for several days/weeks without blogging, and then can't stand it any longer, so I take time out and blog several things that have been on my mind. Today is the "Feast" side of blogging, depending, I suppose, on whether or not you enjoy reading them (I do enjoy thinking about the events that shape our lives, and recording them for the benefit of our children, grandchildren, and beyond who, hopefully, are or will be interested).

Our older son recently celebrated his Big 4-0; amazing, when one considers that I'm simply not old enough to be his mother. Regardless, we had Gary, Sara and Reed for dinner last evening to celebrate Gary's birthday. We usually have an all-family dinner, but the kids' current work schedules make it next to impossible to have them all at once. Later this week, we will have Jon's family to celebrate Brittany's recent birthday.

Ever since Gary became an avid golf enthusiast, it has been our custom to include golf balls as part of his Christmas and/or birthday gifts. I told Gary last evening that his Dad and I decided we must be too busy or getting old (Nah!) because this is the first time we have not come up with some extraordinary way of disguising the golf balls. We have done everything from wrapping 100 of them individually and putting them in a large box of styrofoam peanuts (time-consuming!), to frosting the boxes in order to make them look like a cake (disappointing to 4-year-old Reed who was looking forward to eating it)(2008 picture below), and the very best, according to the kids, having the balls be the "innerds" of a very long snake that Steve designed and I sewed (2007 picture below). We had toyed with the idea of a scavenger hunt this year, but we simply didn't have the time or inclination to get it together, so this year's gift was boringly wrapped with paper and ribbon (but the wrapping did have both black and yellow labs on it; or as Reed put it, "Caesar and Samson!").

Kyra was here as I making preparations for yesterday's dinner and I noticed the name "Haricot Verts" on the thin, French green beans I was pleased to find at Sam's Club. I told her I used to read cook books like other people read novels, and especially liked the ones that included the stories of how the recipes came to be, or what they meant to that person or family. An example would be the Pepperidge Farm Cookbook, wherein I learned that the original bread recipe was developed by a loving mother who was desperate to find something her ailing child could eat, and later shared with other young patients referred to her by her son's pediatrician. These loaves were often wrapped in paper and carried to the city by her husband, who rode public transportation to work.

So, I told Kyra that the first time I ever saw the term Haricot Verts in a recipe, I had no idea what it meant (and it wasn't explained), and I couldn't find it in a dictionary at the time. I think I called the local extension service and talked with the Home Economist (it was in a recipe, afterall). Another term I had to look up in a later recipe was Merliton (vegetable pear). The steamed Haricot Verts (with carmelized Vidalia onions and bacon) turned out well last evening; I have never prepared a Merliton. :) One day, I hope to write (if even just for my family) my own narrative-style cookbook of faves.

It is fun to watch one's children grow into adults and become parents themselves, as in Gary's and Jon's cases. The greatest satisfaction for me is realizing that they finally have some idea just how very much we love THEM!

My personal version of Cinnamon Rolls is Gary's favorite "birthday cake," so I made those again this year.

Visting Teaching: An Inspired Program

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I want to blog today about one of my favorite programs in the Church, the Visiting Teaching program. For the benefit of those not familiar with this religion or this program, I will explain a little bit about the program and why I love it so much.

As in other religions, we have clergy who assume overall leadership for our membership (called a "Ward"); one Bishop and two Councilors, however, are not sufficient to tend to the needs of every man, woman, and child in the Ward. The programs of Visiting Teaching and Home Teaching go along way to help meet these individual needs. Most active adult members of the Church participate in one or the other of these programs; Visiting Teaching for the women, and Home Teaching for the men. Most often, two men or two women are partnered, and are assigned a small number (perhaps 3-5) of individuals or families to visit on a monthly basis.

The monthly visits, along with other interaction when possible, allow the Visitors to become better acquainted with the Visitees (you all understand the use of that word, don't you? :) It provides an opportunity for the Visitors to learn about the personalities, likes and dislikes of those they visit, as well as to be aware of situations that arise (and they occasionally do in all our lives!) where helping hands are needed and appreciated.

The monthly visits allow the Visitors to share a brief and uplifting spiritual message, and well as information or items deemed appropriate for that month or situation. Be it flowers from one's garden, bread or cookies from one's oven, or a birthday cake on the Visitee's birthday are all good examples of the opportunities to share and get to know one another better.

My many years, both as a Visiting Teacher, and as someone who has been the recipient of good Visiting Teachers, have taught me to love and appreciate this program, inspired by a loving Heavenly Father, who best knows His children's needs and how to meet them.

The two women ("sisters" is how we refer to one another in a church setting) who are currently my Visiting Teachers shared a birthday recently. They are such devoted Visiting Teachers--and friends!--that I wanted to honor them with a birthday luncheon. I have a new Visiting Teaching Companion (a woman I have wanted to get to know better!), so I wanted to invite her, as well, and the sisters we visit. A couple of them were not able to come to the luncheon this time, but those who were able seemed to have a good time. I know I really enjoyed having them. Following is a picture from our time together.

I served Tortilla Soup, Hot Rolls, Strawberry-Spinach Salad, and my own version of Pina Colada Cake. Several years ago, at one of our daughter-in-law Sara's bridal showers, the hostesses used crystal salt and pepper shakers as vases for tiny flower arrangements, scattered among the food trays on the serving table. I began collecting them at garage sales and flea markets and like to use them to make individual "bouquets" at each place setting. I don't have a lot of flowers in bloom this early, so for this Visiting Teaching luncheon, I simply used a single stem of a new (to our yard) full-sun, perennial (Dwarf Coreopsis) and, for the greenery, a stem of parsley. They seemed to enjoy it. If you maximize the picture, perhaps you can, too. :)

On Becoming Gardeners of Flowers as well as Souls

It's spring and my guess is that you're a lot like I am in feeling energized and rejuvenated as I watch the plants bursting through the rich soil and the buds developing into beautiful blossoms. And perhaps you've also learned by experience that often what we're enjoying now can be attributed to efforts expended previously (thank Heavens for perennials!). Thus, my attention was drawn to the following article in today's edition of Meridian Magazine. I'm a people-lover, so I particularly enjoyed the author's comparison of flowers to souls. I wanted to share it with you, and hope you enjoy it as much as I did. HAPPY SPRING!

M E R I D I A N M A G A Z I N E

Becoming a Gardener of Souls
By Janet Peterson

I love flowers! To me, the scripture, "to please the eye and to gladden the heart" (D&D 59: 18) describes flowers. All my adult years I have dabbled in flowers. When we lived in married student housing while my husband, Larry, was in law school, a friend and I planted tulip and daffodil bulbs in the little patch of ground outside our apartments. Soon flowers started appearing all over the Village. I have planted flowers wherever we have lived. Hundreds of flowers surround our present home.

A number of years ago, I decided to tame our hillside, over 1000-square feet, and create a perennial garden. (There have been days that I've regretted this ambition!) We cleared the weeds and debris and smoothed it out. I studied flower catalogs, visited nurseries, asked other gardeners, and learned much about perennials.

On paper, it didn't seem too difficult, but as I labored on this huge plot, it seemed an overwhelming task. However, I was committed to making this part of our yard more beautiful, to reaping a spectacular harvest. The lessons I learned from gardening can be likened to serving in the Church. Like a garden, a Church calling can be daunting, but we must put forth our best efforts until we are released, likely even before the harvest is realized.

Knowing the Flowers

Before embarking on this project, I could name some of the more common perennials: daisies, poppies, mums, and columbine. Now I have become acquainted with numerous perennials: coreopsis, astilbe, gallardia, cyclamen, butterfly weed, and wallflower, to name a few. As I have planted, nurtured, and gathered, I have learned the names and characteristics of many flowers; I've come to appreciate each kind by knowing its color, shape, fragrance, size, and growth pattern.

Still I have a lot to learn. One thing I have learned, however, is that no flower is better than another. Is phlox is more beautiful than flax? They're simply different. I don't cut plant or cut flowers that are all alike because variety and diversity make the most stunning gardens and bouquets.

Likewise, each Church member is a unique variety. A gardener of souls needs to know the names, personalities, interests, struggles and spiritual progress of each individual. No one is better than another; people are simply different from one another. And as with a mixed bouquet, the differences can complement and enhance one another and provide enrichment for everyone.

Having the Right Environment and Tools

The right environment is essential for growing both flowers and people. Flowers need water, sunshine, soil, fertilizer, and space. Human beings need love, nurturing, teaching, acceptance, and significant experiences to help them grow spiritually. As President Gordon B. Hinckley instructed us, every member needs “a friend, a responsibility, and to be ‘nurtured by the good word of God” ( Moroni 6:4).

Tools for a gardener include a shovel, rake, sprinklers, fertilizer, and clippers. Tools for a Church leader or teacher include the scriptures, lesson manuals, priesthood guidance, the Holy Ghost, and an earnest desire to serve.

It is true for both flowers and people that gardeners can provide an appropriate environment and employ appropriate tools, but are only facilitators for growth. Gardeners do not do the growing---flowers and people must do that themselves, and within a person's own divine nature is unlimited potential for growth.

Doing the Work

Gardens don't just happen. The only plants that grow spontaneously are weeds. Growing a successful flower garden takes work—frequent, consistent, purposeful work. If one waits too long to water or weed, so much more effort is needed or if one procrastinates too long, damage can be permanent. There is a sequence and appropriateness of care; prepare, plant, water, fertilize, and then harvest. A little bit of effort each day or session is far more effective than a massive effort every once in a while. The same is true for nurturing people.

Our front yard looks pretty ordinary this year because my focus has been on the hillside. Another season it will get more attention. This is the season to serve in our current calling, whether it's in Primary, Sunday School, Young Women or a priesthood quorum, and our focus should be on that. There will be other seasons to give more attention to other opportunities to serve.

Guarding Against the Destroyers

One flower catalog states, "Weeding is an inevitable part of gardening." The most challenging part of my garden is keeping out the weeds, for, if ignored, they will soon crowd out the young plants and completely take over. Likewise temptations and adversity are also inevitable parts of life. The most challenging part of life is overcoming the weeds. There are various ways to deal with weeds—pre-emergents, post-emergents, and pulling them one at a time.

At the end of my garden's first summer, when I was tired of pulling endless weeds, a friend of mine said, "Didn't you use a pre-emergent weed killer?" It sounded miraculous! That fall and the following spring I sprayed the whole area. What a difference that effort made. Applying a pre-emergent is like teaching the gospel, providing spiritual experiences, and helping individuals to develop testimonies of Jesus Christ before adversity or temptations become strong and overwhelming.

In spite of great efforts to prevent weeds, some will still grow. Then a post-emergent spray or pulling weeds one at a time is needed. And sometimes those under our stewardship will need “post-emergent" care or a lot of one-on-one time.

Besides weeds, snails and other pests chewing the foliage, gophers eating at the roots cause great damage. Without roots, flowers die. I watched a rose bush and other lovely plants wither and die only to find their roots had been gnawed completely. Sadly, some of the most colorful flowers are missing from our wards. Some are inactive, having never developed roots; some have been overcome by the weeds and the gophers of the world. But unlike destroyed plants, there is always hope for recovery of the less-active, and there is always a way back.

The Flowering

Certain varieties of flowers in my area, like bluebells and magnolias bloom early in the spring. Others such as gloxinia and black-eyed susans blossom in June and July. Others, like hydrangeas, are late bloomers, but equally as beautiful as any of the early bloomers.

Some in our midst are early bloomers; others are late bloomers, but all are equally important. Orange glory flowers and scarlet monarda are boldly colored and catch our attention immediately while canterbury bells and chicory are delicate and soft in color. Similarly, some people are self-confident and outgoing while others may be shy and reserved in nature. Nevertheless, each of them makes a valuable contribution to the mixed bouquet.

Alma 's comparison of faith to a seed can also apply to our service in the Church.

"And thus, if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life.

"But if he will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life.

"And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure, and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst.

"Then my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you" ( Alma 32: 40-43).

May we all become effective gardeners and assist in His great work, that we may nourish souls and help their faith and testimonies develop strong roots and beautiful blossoms.

Drama Queens are fun, too!

Make a Smilebox photobook

Grandberries are Priceless Treasures

Make a Smilebox invite