Boob Tube

I've been giving some thought to what I would do if I had only a few weeks left to live. It is too overwhelming, however, for me to contemplate what I would do; it's easier for me to determine what I would not do. What I would not do is watch any more television. I've noticed that the people we watch on t.v. never watch t.v. They are too busy living interesting lives and having fun and being funny. Would we enjoy watching people on t.v. if they were watching television? No! We want to watch them live interesting lives and have fun and be funny. We want to view their relationships and compare them to our own. But why don't we, instead of watching other people live, just live our own lives? Take the extra time to visit a friend or family member? Take the time to write a letter or to develop a talent? Go take a walk, ride a bike, enjoy the breeze on our skins.
Now in this light, I will admit to watching movies and television. I do it occasionally--more often than I'd like to. My family does it more than I'd like. But really, more often than not I leave a viewing session feeling less than uplifted. Sometimes I leave it feeling like I've eaten a bowl of ice cream with a cockroach planted in the middle of it.
Life is a wonderful gift; when it is too late is often when we realize that it is also all too fleeting.
So tonight, instead of watching television, I'm going to enjoy the peaches and cream of giving my baby a bath, kissing his soft skin, and inhaling the smell of his velvety brown head. I'm going to listen for the slap of his hands on the tile as he crawls across the kitchen floor. I'm going to make a beautiful salad for my husband, with green lettuce and lovely red tomatoes, meats, and cheeses. I'm going to play games with my older children, listen to them, and look into their eyes and let them know I love them.
Looking at the stars, observing the sky, smelling the rain, living each moment. I think if I do these things I don't have to worry whether or not I have two weeks or twenty years left to live, because I'm living genuinely, living my own life. Striving to live each day the way I would live it if it was my last. And there's no cockroach in that ice cream.

More Comfort Food--Homemade Mac and Cheese

1 1/2 c uncooked elbow macaroni
4 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp flour
1 1/2 c milk
1 c (4 oz)shredded cheddar
2 oz processed American cheese (abt 3 slices)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and set aside. In a medium-large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add milk; bring to a boil. Cook and stir until mixture is smooth and thick. Reduce heat, then stir in cheeses, salt and pepper. Continue mixing until cheese is melted.
Pour over cooked macaroni and combine. Serve immediately.

Happy Father's Day--Here's to Dads!

So, about 12 years ago a social scientist named Gladstone did a study on elephants. Apparently, a pack of teenage male elephants and a female elephant were moved to an isolated park in Africa. Videos were taken which showed packs of these teenage male elephants chasing down rhinos, teasing them, pushing them down, and goring them with their tusks. A bull elephant was brought into the area by the game wardens, and the rhino killings ceased. According to Gladstone’s interpretation, "When fathers are absent, adolescent males become agitated, seem lost and out of control". He and other experts agreed that "studies done with elephants show that boys need strong, mature male influences, they need to know who is in charge, what the rules are, and who holds them accountable." (See "The Kovacs Perspective" on Searchwarp.com)
Dads' roles can never be filled by anyone else, no matter how well-meaning those others may be. Even the best mother can't replace the father of her children. A loving father makes a child's home feel safe in a way that nothing else can. His role is to "preside over, provide for,and protect his family" (Proclamation on the Family, 1995). Even a child who has mere memories of his/her father is often motivated, uplifted, encouraged by these memories.
I'm offended by television shows and advertisements, jokes and parodies, eye-rolling comments by women which belittle husbands and fathers. You can bet if the tables were turned, and women were degraded in this blatant manner, heads would roll and litigation attorneys' phones would be ringing off the hook.
Okay, so maybe I'm exaggerating, maybe not. But I love dads. Even imperfect dads, which all of them are but One. But I love dads who try. They show up, they participate, they lead their families, love their wives, guide their children. I love my dad, who went to work every day to support my mother and seven children, who made sure my mother could stay home with us. I love my brothers and brothers-in-law who are dads as I watch them be involved, hands-on Fathers.
I love my husband, who supports me emotionally, physically, financially, spiritually. He adores our kids and he shows them who is in charge, what the rules are, and how to be accountable. He works hard and supports our decision for me to be home with our children. He makes our home feel secure. He is a stalwart and a loyal friend.
Dads are a beautiful blessing; can you imagine life without them? I don't want to. So Here's to Dads everywhere--keep up the good work! You are often behind the scenes, but we need you, we love you--You Rock.

Richesons' Salmon BBQ Sauce

Warmer weather means grilled salmon if you live in the great PNW. Got this recipe from my parents; they got it from some family friends in Burlington, WA. Now we rarely eat salmon prepared any other way. One batch should be enough sauce for a 10-15 lb salmon.

1/2 c butter
2 cloves crushed garlic
1 Tbsp Worcestershire
3 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp ketchup
1 Tbsp dry mustard

Boil all ingredients together in small saucepan. Pour over salmon on the grill as it is cooking.

Lemon Tart Squares

One of Troy's and Mom's favorites.

Crust:

1 c softened butter
1/4 c powdered sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 c flour

Blend together thoroughly; texture should be crumbly. Press into 9 x 13 x 2 cake pan (spray with Pam first).
Bake at 350 for 15 min, cool slightly.

Filling:

4 eggs, beaten
3 oz lemon juice
2 c granulated sugar
1/4 c flour
1 tsp vanilla

Combine flour and sugar. Mix eggs and lemon juice into flour and sugar mixture. Blend thoroughly. Pour into baked crust.
Bake @ 350 for 25 min. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Allow to cool before cutting.

Mom's Sweet Recipes

Congo Squares

3/4 c butter
1 lb brown sugar

Melt together until sugar dissolves. Allow to cool and add:

3 eggs, one at a time
1 tsp. vanilla
In a separate bowl, sift together:
2 1/2 c flour
2 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

Add butter/sugar mixture to flour mixture. When batter is completely cool, add:

1 12oz. bag chocolate chips
chopped walnuts, if desired.

Pour into greased and floured 9 x 13 x 2 pan. Bake at 350 for 30-35 min, until golden.

Mom's Peach Pie

Crust:
1 cube butter
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 c flour
pinch salt

Combine dry ingredients, then cut butter in. Press into pie tin and flute edges. Bake at 350 for 15-20 min.

Filling:
1/2 c cold pineapple juice
1/4 c corn starch
pinch salt
3/4 c sugar
1 sm pkg Peach Jell-O
2 Tbsp lemon juice
4 large peaches

Add 2/3 c boiling water and cook until thick; add Jell-O and boil 1 min. Remove from heat and add lemon juice. Let set up partially in bowl, then cut peaches into mixture and pour into crust. Keep refrigerated.

Sour Cream Chocolate Cake

2 c flour
2 c sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 c water
1 c butter
1/4 c baking cocoa
1/2 c sour cream
2 eggs
1 c chocolate chips

Combine flour, sugar, soda and salt; set aside. In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt together butter, cocoa and water; bring to a low boil. Pour into flour mixture and stir to combine. Beat in sour cream and eggs. When mixture has cooled sufficiently, stir in chocolate chips. Pour into greased 9 x 13 x 2 pan and bake at 350 for 35-38 min. Cool for 5 min.

Frosting:

1/4 c butter
3 Tbsp milk
2 Tbsp baking cocoa
2 c powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

While cake is cooling, combine butter, milk and cocoa in saucepan; bring to a boil. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and powdered sugar, mixing until smooth. Pour over warm cake.

Hard Things are Good Things, too

So, a few weeks ago in RS we had a lesson on gratitude. Our teacher took it a step further, asking us to find good in our trials, even gratitude for our afflictions. Upon considering my teacher's remarks, I can honestly say, looking back, that I am extremely grateful for some of the ugliest trials I have suffered through, because they have strengthened me, changed me, and helped me to know how to empathize with others who have suffered or do suffer as well. Even the trials I have brought upon myself by my own poor choices, although it would have been better to avoid them altogether, have given me a greater appreciation for the infinite blessings of the Savior's Atonement. I'm working also to look for good in trials as I am suffering them, which seems to be the most difficult for me to do.
Here is a quote from Elder Richard G. Scott's talk "The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace and Happiness":
"The Lord is intent on your personal growth and development. Your progress is accelerated when you willingly allow Him to lead you through every growth experience you encounter, whether you welcome the experience or not. Trust in the Lord. Ask to be led by the Spirit to know His will. Be willing to accept it. You will then qualify for the greatest happiness and the heights of attainment from this mortal experience."
The most important thing I've learned about the relationship between gratitude and affliction is that the more grateful I am, the less afflicted I feel, and the more afflicted I think I am, the less grateful I am able to be. The Savior is the source of all light and joy and peace; I know I am eternally indebted to Him for every breath I take, every smile I enjoy from my baby, every warm touch I am blessed to give or to receive. It is up to me to receive that Light.