Spiritual Food for Thought

 Podcasts on Moses and the plagues in Exodus have been fascinating this week. I never knew the plagues were specifically tailored to show God's power over the Egyptian Gods (their worship of the Nile, frogs, scarab beetle, the sun (Ra), etc.)

I'd always assumed the Israelites were slaves and thrilled to get away, but in reality they were disappointed to leave their homes, delicious food and comforts. Many were probably as unfamiliar with "the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob" as the Egyptians were. And being uprooted out of obedience took a lot of faith. And maybe for many, they were just going along with what everyone else was doing because it seemed like the right thing to do. (Remember it wasn't too soon after they left they made a golden calf, resorting back to old Egyptian traditions when it seemed like "this new God" wasn't giving them what they wanted.)

It sounded a lot like 19 year olds going on missions. Sure, they want to be obedient, but leaving homes, family, friends and comfort makes one really question the importance. And I'd argue that a lot of 19 year olds also don't know God that well. Who is this God and is he really real? But I also think most would say the experience was uniquely responsible for spiritual experiences and understanding the nature of God in a way no other experience could give.

Also reading an fantastic book, "All Things New," by Terryl and Fiona Givens, describing the early Christian church and how through the centuries and influential reformers -- authors of the Nicene Creed, Augustine and Martin Luther -- changed the nature of God from a loving Heavenly Father to a disembodied, unfeeling, distant, and often vengeful, God.

Made me realize how revolutionary the 13 Articles of Faith would have been in Joseph's time.

Good stuff.

More Juicing

More juicing...

Tomorrow I move on to smoothies, salads and salmon.

I hope I'm cleansed!

 

Carol Burnett

 Last night we went to a Carol Burnett concert with friends.
She was so entertaining, quick-witted, kind and delightful. 
The premise was she showed favorite clips with famous actors and took audience questions. 

She's 88 and still out on tour! 

I remembered watching Carol Burnett once in a while as a kid,

but in my memory she was kind of naughty.

I'm not quite sure where I got that. Maybe because of Miss Hannigan? 

The invitation to go was last minute and I had no idea previously she was coming.

I wish I'd known sooner -- Marge loves Carol Burnett -- asked for the DVD's for Christmas.

It would have been fun to go together!

Juicing

Inspired by a random Instagram ad (how do they do it?!)

insomnia over the past couple of weeks and a bout of indigestion,

I decided to do a juice cleanse for two days.

Dan bought me a juicer years ago, but it came with one million parts and seemed way too complicated to figure out. Then last year my friend Edie came over to learn how to cook a turkey in the steam oven, and she brought her juicer and taught me how to use mine. It was actually a cinch and it turned out that of the six parts (seems like one million) that you have to put together, two we don't use and two attach together. 

So with only three parts to put together, I realized it wasn't complicated after all.

Clean-up is really easy too. I've just got it set up in the butler's pantry so I juice, rinse, run the garbage disposal to dispose of the pulp and repeat two hours later. It's been really fun and delicious!

The juices are all so different but my favorite is apples, carrot, ginger & lemon 

and apples, spinach, cucumber, celery, lemon & ginger. Actually beet, apple, carrots ginger, lemon and turmeric was really good too!

Spring!!

It was 80* yesterday and today! High 70's on Friday!

We took a walk before church with the intention of taking the stream crossing short-cut to get home, but the river was flowing! Had to take off our shoes and socks to ford.

 

Black Bean Brownies

I've seen quite a few recipes for black bean brownies and I've been curious.

And skeptical.

But when Babs had a Reel about adding a can of black beans and water to a brownie box mix 

instead of the oil and egg, I was willing to give black beans a try

from a scratch recipe--not a box recipe. 

They turned out pretty good. 

Would I serve them outside of my family or try to pull them off 

as not having black beans added. No. No I would not. 

But if you're looking for a sugar-free, gluten free treat that's tasty but not addictive,

this is a winner. I'll def do the peanut butter swirl across the whole top next time.

Black Bean Brownies

Dan and I saw Lost City in the movie theater last night. 

First movie in a theater (besides The Chosen) since before Covid!

It felt quite celebratory to see the theater packed just like old times.

The movie was pretty good. It's hard not to like anything Sandra Bullock is in.

Lots of cheesy parts, even a cringe or two, but a lot of pretty good jokes as well.

Saying Goodbye

Clara's graveside service was today.

She wanted it short and simple, no talks, just her testimony read

and O My Father sung or performed.

Stephanie B., our Relief Society President played 

O My Father on the violin and I think I want that at my funeral too.

(Plenty of time to practice, Marty & Lizzie)

Her oldest granddaughter read Clara's testimony that she'd written out previously

and our bishop gave a few short comments and dedicated the grave.

They asked me to share what Clara told me a few months ago (and I had the foresight to write it down).

Her grandkids let go of the balloons.

"Let off blue and white balloons at my funeral. A time to break loose. No tears, just rejoicing.

All the things I've endured and put up with, I've done it! Check it off the list!"

Memes: Communication Tips

 Memes of the Day: 

Convo with Michelle:

Everyone needs the following in their arsenal:

Plus I'm crushing it in Wordle!!!!

45 rpm Record Adapter

Chris is looking at buying record equipment for his birthday

and one company had this as their symbol:

The nostalgia!!

 So grateful for Google so Dan and I could find out 

the purpose for those wide holes, the history and the proper name of the plastic do-whitchys.

www.ajournalofmusicalthings.com 

Haven't you always wondered? 

***

I really debated buying more books in this series, because once I start, I can't stop.

I really have a problem. But they're so good!

Fortunately/Unfortunately there are 17 in the series...

I can't decide if I should take them on our spring break trip, or if I'll be rendered useless

and poor company by my reading addiction. 

(Thinking of taking the 1st Hunger Games on a cruise with Dan. 

Started on the flight and couldn't stop until I finished that night.
Thankfully I finished so the rest of the time I could be present. 

Good thing Dan knows me well enough to not complain.)

And we cleaned out closets tonight.

I regularly purge my stuff and Dan's stuff. But today I asked him 

if there was anything of mine he thought I should get rid of. 

As soon as the words came out of my mouth,

we both knew he was entering dangerous territory.

He hemmed and hawed and finally said, there is one thing I don't like.

Really? ... Guess what it was?

The pants I wear on the plane when we go on vacation.

He said they look like pajamas.

Well, that's partly the point. They're comfy for long flights.

But honestly, he really should have told me long ago! Or maybe not... I can't decide.

But they're gone now. (And I need to go shopping for more comfy travel pants!)

Fifth Ski Day

Another ski morning with my birthday twin.

Deer Valley was practically empty with corduroy everywhere. 

So perfect!

 

Lucky Day

 

WHAT?! 

It's my lucky day!

Another Celebration

St. Patrick's Day birthday dinner for Christopher

(corned beef and cabbage),

and a new Polaroid camera from his siblings.

We sang "Have I Done Any Good in the World Today" in church

which always reminds me of my Grandma Regan. 

We chose that song (and "There is Sunshine in my Soul Today") for her funeral because 

she emulated Doing Good every day and was a wonderful example.

As we sang, I thought of my relationship with Clara and the help

I gave her. I think my Grandma would be proud of me.

 

Sigma Chi

Chris is officially a Sigma Chi!

His initiation was today and parents got to join them at the house for brunch.

Let's just say he's been dreaming of this day for seven years or more.

Congrats, Chris!

After brunch we got to watch Nick's rugby match. He's #7.

It's been a long time since we had Saturday activities for our kids -- 

let alone two kids! Beautiful day to be outside.

I've had two late nights reading two nights this week. 

Stayed up until 2:30 finishing a mystery -- a series Erin introduced me to.

Last night was committed to going to bed and NOT staying up so late. 

Shut the book at midnight. But laid in bed WIDE AWAKE for another hour and a half.

Picked up my book, read by the light of my iPhone and finished at 4:30. 

Laid awake for another hour until I finally went downstairs to the couch 

for the final three hours of my night. 

It's a good thing I don't have the next in the series... yet.

Memes for Parenting

Me and Grandma Regan

Not just limited to my kids.

And an 8yo, 9, 10, ... 17, 18, 19, 20yo...

Soooooooo glad these days are behind us! 

I think Courtney and Nick got the biggest reactions and I apologize.

Happy 21st, Christopher

Happy 21st Birthday to my favorite Leprechaun.

His smile and his energy are contagious and keeps us laughing.

Plays hard, sleeps hard, works hard.

Always sees the bright side, is great at validating, loves everyone.

and is the most loyal friend.

Stopped by home today so we could go to a late lunch and give him a hug on his birthday,

then he was off to meet his friends for a couple of hours then after that his pledge bros.

Critical Thinking

Love This!!

 

Hitting the Slopes

 Last night, a couple of friends texted to see if anyone could ski at Deer Valley today.

Well, I guess I don't have Clara Tuesdays anymore, so I could go.

(After the icy runs over President's Day, I'd promised myself I'd go another time this year when we got snow. It all came together perfectly! New snow and sun shining!)

It was a good way to spend the day and fun to say yes to something I don't often say yes to!

Had turkey chili in Cushing's Cabin at the top of Quincy Silver Strike. 

I'd always wondered what was inside that cabin. Food! 

Well, turkey chili, clif bars, cookies and drinks. Not crowded. 

And bathrooms!

We helped ourselves to the parking at Arrowleaf and the hot chocolate afterward.

Great snow, fun day with friends. 

How do moms pack the car for skiing?

Skis are buried under the DI haul.

KT said if we brought our stuff, we could add it to pile in her car and she'd drop it off for us.

Divide and Conquer.