Thankful Me

Thanks for road trips, small towns and their claims to fame.

You might remember that when my son announced he was engaged, I went into a mini-panic trying to decide what I should do for a wedding present.  In my heart-of-hearts, I thought a quilt was the perfect wedding present--useful and practical, yet abounding in tradition and love.  Well, perfect except for the fact that I hadn't ever really made a quilt.  I stewed for a while, then decided to try a pattern that claimed to be quick and simple, thinking that I could get it done in time.  I finished in July, in plenty of time for the mid-August wedding.  I just didn't post earlier, because I wanted the recipients to see it in person before seeing it on the blog.  I hope the love with which it was made will compensate for my errors of inexperience. The quilt front uses traditional, feminine fabrics and a geometric pattern. After my friend Bianca of Quilts, Cats and Automobiles posted her thought that the back of quilts should be as lovely as the fronts, I...

One of the most beautiful doctrines of the gospel is the eternal nature of families.  When couples are married in the temple, they are married not "until death do you part," but rather, "for time and all eternity." I hope you enjoy this brief video about families: Thanks for temples and forever families.

The message I heard over and over at the reception on Tuesday was how fortunate my son is.  His wife's family is amazing; they embody kindness and graciousness.  I'm happy to have our families connected through the marriage of our children.  The night before the wedding, we all had a casual dinner with her family.  In a brilliant stroke of inspiration, we each wore a name tag with our name, as well as how we were related to the bride or groom.  That was a tremendous help to me.  It was so nice to visit with everyone.  I even learned that the bride's grandma knows my grandma, as they both worked in the temple together for many years.  The past few days have gone perfectly.  What a happy occasion!  I hope the open house in our backyard will go as smoothly. Thanks for occasions that bring families together.

Thanks for family, temples, weddings, and our son and new daughter-in-law!

This was the clearest photo of this I was able to get. Sorry for the fuzziness. Thanks for the almost-unnatural beauty that is found on this great earth, and in the sky above.

Why don't I make freezer jam more often?  It is quick, easy, and I prefer the fresh-fruit flavor to canned varieties. I used the recipe from the Sure-Jell site found here. Strawberry Freezer Jam Combine 2 c. mashed fresh strawberries with 4 c. sugar.  Let sit for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Combine 1 package pectin and 3/4 c. water.  Stirring constantly, bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute. Add pectin mixture to strawberry mixture.  Stir for three minutes.  Put jam in freezer containers, making sure to leave 1/2 inch headspace for expansion.  Leave covered containers out on counter for 24 hours to set, then freeze.  Thanks for easy, yummy projects. 

Thanks for easy decisions!

About fifteen years ago, a neighbor invited us over for a spaghetti dinner.  I learned that night that spaghetti sauce should not be relegated to the ho-hum, go-to dinner of childhood; but rather can be a culinary delight, chock-full of vegetables of all sorts. I don't claim to have duplicated that spaghetti-of-legend, but this crockpot spaghetti does have a more complex flavor than the typical sauce-in-a-jar. Crockpot Spaghetti Brown one pound of hamburger with 2 chopped bell peppers and a minced clove of garlic .  Drain fat.  Combine in crockpot:  hamburger mixture, (2) quart-size jars bottled spaghetti sauce (I used homemade, but you can use whatever you prefer), 2 grated carrots, 1 or 2 grated zucchini, 1 can sliced olives, and 1 little can of tomato paste.  Cook on low for 6-8 hours.  On stovetop, cook spaghetti noodles as directed on package.  Drain and combine with sauce.  Top with your choice of grated cheeses--mozzarella...

Thanks for good dogs.