Chicken Necks

We got home from the San Juan's Saturday night- and missed the evening session of Stake Conference.  Sunday was wonderful though and I wanted to share a few notes I took.  Ruth Renlund was wonderful.  David actually worked with/against Ruth in the legal field.  She was a prosecuting attorney and David did defense.  What was funny was that Ruth's father was David's law partner- and when he (Merlin Lybbert) was called as a General Authority, David basically inherited his practice. 

I loved the story she shared about she and her husband moving back East for schooling. Here's the story-

Soon after our arrival we were invited to a ward party at the home of a member. We were told it was to be a crab feast. We were excited, but we really didn’t know what to expect. Our experience with seafood consisted of trout, canned salmon, and pickled herring. As we came to the member’s backyard, we saw that newspapers had been spread on picnic tables (Sister Renlund thought the Relief Society must have gone on strike in Maryland!)  and steaming bushels filled with red creatures the size of her fist had been dumped out on them.
  Ruth, asked, “What are these?” referring to the red creatures.
We were informed that these were Maryland blue crabs, which turn bright red when they are steamed.
Ruth asked, “How do you catch them?”
We were told that early that morning, two of the brethren had gone to a butcher shop and purchased a bucket of chicken necks. As you know, chicken necks look like chicken and smell like chicken when cooked, but if that is what you are given for dinner, you will go hungry. The chicken neck consists of bone, tendon, and skin.
The assigned men had gone out in a skiff on the shallow Chesapeake Bay. In water about eight feet deep, they began the process of catching a crab. They tied a chicken neck to a string, dropped it into the water, and allowed it to settle on the sandy ocean floor. Sensing a potential feast, a crab scurried along the bottom and grabbed the chicken neck with its big claw. The men then slowly and steadily began pulling on the string. The crab held on to the chicken neck, and just as it was about to breach the surface of the bay, the crab became agitated and let go. But by that time the men had placed a small net under the crab. They took it out of the water and flung it into the boat. And, voilà: ward dinner!
Ruth said, “So, that’s it? There’s no hook? There’s no rod? There’s no reel?”
“That’s right,” they replied.
She said, “The crab could let go at any time?”
“Right.”
“But they don’t?”
“No,” was the reply.
Ruth summed up this newfound knowledge by saying, “Boy, are those crab stupid!”


If you were writing a pamphlet called For the Strength of Young Crabs, it would be pretty short, wouldn’t it? It would say, “Lay off the chicken necks! They are a trap. Don’t be fooled.”


There are many chicken necks in the world: things that look enticing, things that look like a veritable  feast- but turn out to be the very thing that brings us heartache and misery- to us and others.

She mentioned a few chicken necks in the world we should be aware of-
1- stirring us up to anger against the things that are good
2- pacifying ourselves that God doesn't require anything of us. 

We need to make sure we feast upon the things of worth.

San Juan Girl's Trip

I usually go on a girl friend trip with some of my closest friends annually to California and the beach.  We don't have a name for us like The Charm Girls (high school friends).  We did debate this on the trip- the best we could come up with was "Cutie Foodies"- which then translated to "Saggy Saddle Baggies."  Rewind- Last year we decided to go somewhere else and Seattle became the destination.  Unfortunately I broke my back in August ...and my darling friends decided they couldn't go without me!  We took a loss on our tickets.....and then after months of contemplating, decided that the San Juan Islands would be even better!

The San Juan islands are off the coast of Washington coast and Vancouver Island in Canada.  There are hundreds of islands but 4 main ones- San Juan, Orcas, Lopez and Shaw.  They are only assessable by ferries and airplane.  Riding the ferries, with or without the car- meant we spent hours aboard- talking, laughing, eating horrible ferry food which made us laugh even more...and doing puzzles.  We loved this one:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some notes I made from the trip:

-we saw the WORLD!  Honestly,  everywhere we would go, someone would exclaim "This looks like Japan!" " This looks like Holland!"  "This looks like Michigan!"  We decided we now don't have to travel to all those other places because we've seen it all!  Although that did bring us to a funny Kathy moment.  We traveled up to the highest point- Constitution Point on Orcas Island.  You can look out and see forever.  Some other tourist said, "It's the perfect spot to see whales."  Funny Kathy exclaimed, "You can see Wales from here????"  Oh my....

 

 

 

-We stayed in the Island Inn- at Friday's Harbor.    It was beautiful and very sleek and contemporary with beautiful views and within walking distance to shops and restaurants.

 

 

 

Each day a basket would be delivered with fresh fruit, granola, juice and milk- the perfect way to start the day!

 
 
 After doing puzzles on the ferry, I had looked up puzzles looking for a particular one.  There was a pencil puzzle that looked just like our rug!  Yikes!  That would be a migraine for sure.

 
Our apartment was on the left- and one morning I was drawing the blinds up ...and looked out on the apartment to the right....to see a man standing stark naked looking out his window!  Yikes!  He must have had a lot of self esteem though I'm not sure why.....

-there was a large t.v. that had music or something on it as background noise.  At nighttime though, we couldn't figure out how to turn it off.  We all tried without success.  The problem was that Brendalyn was sleeping by there and it was a huge glare.  Valene finally turned it around and put a tarp over it!

 

-Cathy's driving skills were amazing.  She could peel out in gravel with a mini-van, flip u-turns like no other and back up over and over....because we were terrible navigators and we always saw something we just HAD to see again.  Like this CAMEL in a field!  What????

So long as Cathy had her "drink"- she was content to drive.  And we were happy to have her!

Roche Harbor on the other side of San Juan- was an old elegant hotel with gardens and lots of charming history.  It was beautiful and we loved everything about it.

 

-one of our main Bucket List items was to go bicycling on Lopez Island- we spent hours trying to figure out and rent bikes because we wanted electric bikes and we needed 6 of them.  (Funny Kathy's cousin, Linda Sheppard went with us as well.)  We then took 4 bikes from Friday's Harbor (where we were staying) and ferried to Lopez and picked up another two bikes there.  Lopez is supposedly the flattest island....which was by no means flat.  It was so beautiful with rolling hills but we would have been dead without the bikes.  You could pedal all you wanted and then you'd come to a hill and push assist and it was like riding a moped!  All the other girls are very active.....and then there was me.  The slug.  The slug that thinks exercise will kill her (remember the broken back....)  But I must say- I did it!  And it was so fun.  We went 20 miles and saw quaint farms and meadows and harbors and sea planes and markets.

 

 We stopped and asked directions and the lady said "You don't look like our regular bikers."  Really? Ya think?  We met wonderful people everywhere!

We drove and hiked a little and had a surprise birthday party for Valene and we played Qwix and ate fish and chips. We shared our hearts and laughed our heads off.  We really did hate to leave.

Bye Bye San Juans.  We love you so much!

On the drive back to SeaTac- we went through Mount Vernon at the beginning of the tulip festival.  Fields of tulips EVERYWHERE!  Several of the farms had helicopters to take you on a visual tour.  We would have loved to do that but were on a tight schedule.

 Bye Seattle.  Bye Space Needle.  We didn't really get to see you but we waved when we drove by.

 

Heaven.

 

 

Yay!!!!! I Have a Computer!!!!!

💖💓So, it has been almost a month since I have written!  My computer glitched.....some computerish/board burnout term and stuff that had to replaced.  And I've been in and out of town so it wasn't a priority.  My laptop is having issues too.  And I refuse to journal on my phone because my fingers are too chubby!  Or the keys are too small.  Whatever!

First of all, we had the dreaded house inspection!!!!  I cleaned my freaking head off forever!  I was totally frustrated with myself, bawled plenty of pity tears, felt proud of myself, got so much done, stressed out of my mind but also so glad for the incentive to work really hard.  Whew!  I have decided to never do anything again but sit in my chair and not move so I don't mess anything up.  That means I can't craft or plan a party or cook....nothing.  I don't trust myself!

Easter was WONDERFUL!  I heard someone make the comment at the first of the month that we often take a month or more to celebrate Christmas, but think of Easter just that weekend.  I have had a great month, preparing spiritually and with such gratitude for the Savior and all that the atonement means to me in my life.  I also got to teach Relief Society on Easter so that meant more studying and preparing.  The conference talk this time was "The Great Plan of Redemption" by Linda Reeves.  A quote that I loved from the talk was a quote by Jeffrey Holland-

  “However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made … , or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.”

I was reminded of an editorial in the newspaper that I posted here a few years ago- talked about the Big R of the resurrection which is certainly why we celebrate Easter- but that it is also a time of small r's for us- to resurrect a friendship, to lay aside a grudge, to reignite our service, but, most of all, perhaps Easter should also be a time to "reawaken" sleeping dreams, former commitments and the courage to stay the course or — when needed — chart a fresh route.

Nobody could ever repay the gift of Resurrection. The best we can do is enhance all its "small r" versions in our lives. Easter is a time of second chances.

I love that...


Easter Day we just had part of the family for dinner.   Brandi and Doug and kiddos, Aunt Pat and Cousin Casey and wife-ie Meagan.  Friends Penny and Tom and Brandon Gwilliams.  I ordered dinner again from Mimi's and was really pleased with it.  Ham with apricot chutney glaze, green beans with bacon and carmelized onions, carrot with herbs, spinach salad with strawberries and feta, raspberry brown breads, and killer au gratin potatoes.  I made deviled eggs and banana cakes.  Pat brought artichoke dip and chips.  Penny/ cheesecake.  We ate until we were stuffed.  Loved this time with family and our dear friends.

 

 

Addi has been having her last "off track."  We've had sleepovers and countless activities.  We like to go out to "our place" for lunch (the Mall and have teriyaki chicken with noodles) and an Orange Julius, do a craft (one day we made lip gels and another a charm safety pin bracelet.)  We like to do service- today we made cookies to take to one of her neighbors. We like to do something in the garden.  We've planted tomato plants (one especially for Peyton since he loves cherry tomatoes) and we went shopping for additions to her fairy garden.  Addi is always singing.  And did I mention we play games?  Today was Qwix, marbles, Mexican Train and Scattergories.  Yesterday, as I dropped  the computer off at the computer store, Addi accidentally locked the keys into the car.  My purse, my phone, the keys- you name it.  All locked in.  I could use the computer stores phone but with cell phones, now I don't know any one's numbers!  David was at therapy, 3 kiddos didn't answer.  I finally called a locksmith- who advertised 15 minute service, and after 2 hours and at least 6 phone calls from the driver trying to follow directions- he finally got there....it took about 3 minutes...and he charged $214.00!!!!!!  Ouch!  It was an expensive day!

 

That took some of our precious party time- but then I needed to get Addi to her soccer game (in the rain)- 45 minutes early for the warm-up and then the rainy, some lightening, windy game.  This grandma spent most of the time in the car.  Addi's team won- then home again, to cuddle up on the sofa with blankies and we watched Moana.  It was the first time I had seen it.  We agreed that I am Addi's crazy grandma and I love the bond that we have!

 

 

 

 

THEN- I spent last week in the San Juan Islands off of the Washington coast.  SO MUCH FUN it needs its own entry tomorrow!

Tamatoa: You're a funny looking little thing aren't you.
[Tries to take Moana's necklace]
Moana: [snatches it back] Don't! That's my gramma's!
Tamatoa: [mockingly repeats] "That's my gramma's!" I ate my Gramma! And it took a week, 'cause she was absolutely humongous.

 

Bucket- Plant a Seed in Your Heart

Yesterday was Bucket at Erica Nordquist's.  I came home ready to burst- not just from the yummy lunch but our activity.  Erica had us come armed with our favorite scriptures or talks or quotes and showed us how to use our iphones to sink all our notes from our "paper scriptures"- that we don't want to let go of.  I came home on fire!

 

For lunch, Ericka duplicated the Turkey Sunflower Craisen salad from Kneader's with Poppy Seed Dressing

 

 

and made this decadent layered cake...

 

that she THEN kicked up another notch by drizzling with chocolate sauce!!!!!

 

 

Our cute favors with Easter candies in a terra cotta pot.

 

Then the activity-

 

For instance, I have several quotes that I love written on blank pages of my scriptures and notes in all the margins.  Here is one of the quotes-

 

 by Karl Haglund- When his brothers scoffed at Nephi for trying to build a ship in the wilderness, Nephi reminded them of all the witnesses they had received, and then he said that they were rebelling against the Lord because they “were past feeling, that [they] could not feel his words. …” (1 Ne. 17:45.) Most of us face the other problem: we are before feeling. We wonder why we hear the same things over and over again, until the day comes when we feel, not just hear, words.

Robert Frost said it another way:

“Our very life depends on everything’s

Recurring till we answer from within.

The thousandth time may prove the charm.”

(“Snow,” Mountain Interval.)

 

Now, when I go to 1 Ne.17:45 online (through Gospel Library)- there is a icon next to the scripture that tells me to go to my notes (one click) and I will have the quote.  You can highlight, underline, link, bookmark, tag, cut and paste and write notes here. Maybe even stand on your head.   It is amazing how wonderful innovative technology  can be!!!  I can even insert my journal selections into the notes.

 

 

Love these good women who inspire me to be better!  Erica- THANK YOU!!!!!

Mexican Pizza from Taco Bell Copy Kat

I made this for dinner tonight.  So quick and easy!  Less than a 30-minute meal.  Mexican Pizza from Taco Bell is a comfort food for me so I love knowing how easy they are to make!  Recipe on the cooking blog.

Conference Nugget

We just finished April Conference this past weekend, and I've decided that for my scripture study, I will start with the first talk and go through (what? 50?) beginning with the Women's Conference. 

I want to keep my notes here, since this is my journal, under Confrence Nuggets.

 

Bonnie H. Cordan- Trust in the Lord and Lean Not

 

       In Proverbs 3:5–6, we read this counsel:

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

 

This scripture comes with two admonitions, a warning, and a glorious promise. The two admonitions: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart” and “in all thy ways acknowledge him.” The warning: “Lean not unto thine own understanding.” And the glorious promise: “He shall direct thy paths.” (!!!!)

 

Let’s first discuss the warning. The visual image gives us much to ponder. The warning comes in the words “lean not”—“lean not unto thine own understanding.” In English the word lean has a connotation of physically listing or moving to one side. When we physically lean toward one side or another, we move off center, we are out of balance, and we tip. When we spiritually lean to our own understanding, we lean away from our Savior. If we lean, we are not centered; we are not balanced; we are not focused on Christ.

 

She went on to share 3 ways to not "lean."

1- come to know and trust the Savior as we 'feast upon the words of Christ, for hehold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.

2-come to know Him and trust Him through prayer

3-come to know Him and trust Him through service.  Find the whole talk on LDS.org

 

*  *  *  * *  * 

Marilyn's notes: whenever I hear the word "lean"- I think of the movie While You Were Sleeping when Jack and Lucy are outside her apartment on New Year's Eve, and he says Joe Jr. was "leaning."

Of course, Lucy has no idea what this means, so Jack explains how "leaning" is different than hugging.

He says, "Hugging's very different. Hugging -- that involves arms and hands; and leaning is whole bodies moving in like this leans toward her suggestively. Leaning involves wanting... and accepting. Leaning..."

Then, he's interrupted by Joe Jr., who asks Lucy if Jack is bothering her, "Because it looks like he's leaning." lol

 

In reference to this talk, the term "leaning" also works- Leaning involves wanting... and accepting (our own understanding and not the Lord's.)

 

 

Recap April Fool's at Brandi's House- Nightmare!!!!

From Brandi's post:

Our Annual April 1st Recap - Let it be noted that I am totally in self defense mode in this house and am not responsible for this crazy family tradition!
I don't think I will ever be able to top last years pranks with Connor's strategically placed carry on items and Bri's eviction notice, but we all gave it a go, nonetheless. 

 My poor mom left her phone in my car Friday, which meant we had access to it on Saturday. Her home screen was replaced with a screenshot so that none of her apps would open, dozens of alarms set to go off throughout the day, her snapchat story was hijacked and the phone language was changed to Chinese!

 Parker booby trapped the entire basement and procured all of his hygiene items and enough food to sustain him for 24 hours behind locked doors. He locked his car and hid both sets of keys in his room. His only flaw in his plan was that eventually he had to go to work and once he left all those items were fair game ;)

 Parker worked a 4-9 shift Saturday but received a call from his boss shortly after 11 asking why he wasn't at work. He asked his boss if there was anyway this could be an April Fools joke to which the boss admitted yes :( Its hard to pull anything off around here anymore! Hallee sprinkled garlic powder all over Doug's towel, Addi sprayed cologne all over my clothes and perfume all over Doug's clothes - garlic powder and Chanel create a very pungent smell!! Ben gay on the toilet seats, salt in the toothbrushes, food coloring in bathroom faucets, shower heads hijacked, toothpaste in the deodorant, lotion in the drinking cups, plugged shampoo and conditioner bottles, nobs all adjusted in our cars, green food coloring in the wiper fluid (Doug and Park haven't discovered that one yet), phone contacts changed and the toilet paper end taped down. Addi mixed foundation into all of my MAC makeup so that I looked like a clown when I went to apply it - well played!

 My highlight was pranking Doug with an exploding golf ball during his golf outing with some friends. It was very windy and our awesome neighbor told Doug to use this special ball that was for high wind conditions. Doug fell for it hook, line and sinker! Sweet Victory!!

Gracie and Addi both pretended to have a sprained ankle, Gracie pranking her friends, Addi her soccer team and coach. Bri sent us a picture of "her" new puppy. We purchased and attempted to send dozens of prank calls to Connor, but he wouldn't answer - smart guy! 

 We all went to dinner with Doug's siblings and parents Saturday night, I was able to convince the waitress to tell Doug that both of his cards had been declined (If you know Doug well, you can understand the anxiety level here), after she returned his second declined card she was going to tell him that he needed to come back and start washing dishes but she burst into laughter and said I just can't do it!! She also delivered strategically donated candies with our bill (dead fish and fart flavored) - poor Hallee, Doug and Grandpa Barry got to try those out! Last but not least we almost had a revolt when the girls discovered something nasty smelling in their beds, Doug had placed powdered milk in their beds which apparently gels at some point during the night. This was not their favorite prank!! Let's just say, I was relieved when the clock struck midnight.I think I'm going to need to recruit professional help next year!!

 

 

Reuben Flatbread Pizza

While Brandi and I (and the loud and noisy girls) were in Ogden this past week, we had lunch at Roosters Brewing and Grill.  We shared this yummy Reuben Flatbread and I couldn't wait to come home and make it myself.  Recipe on the cooking blog! Like a 10 minute meal!!!!!

Gracie- Oh my!

 

 

Yesterday I got to go to Ogden with Brandi and Gracie and 5 of Gracie's friends (think hour long car ride with LOUD laughter and VOICES and SCREAMS- EACH WAY!!!  Thankfully Brandi had Advil in the car.....)

 

We dropped the girls off at Weber State for a Tech conference for girls.  They had a great time and did I mention the LOOONG Ride home????

 

While the girls were "teching"- Brandi and I got some time alone to talk...and eat yummy Flatbread Reubens   

 

and I found a heart (my favorite thing_)

and Claire's had a photo op- how could you resist?

 

 

Brandi and I went to the mall there because she wanted to go to Spencer's to get April Fool's things.  Can I say- filthy, filthy store.  Oh my gosh, I lead a sheltered life.  Thankfully.  Just filthy.

 

I treated the girls to Fizz's and cookies on the way home (like Swigs)- so then everyone was REALLY wound up.  And loud.  Darling but LOUD. 

Then Gracie needed to skedaddle to Orem (the other direction) where she and her teammate Macee took 2nd place in the high school science competition - STEM.  Did I mention they are 9th graders????  Smarties!  She and Hallee Babe got straight A's.  Again. 

The girls had my phone on the ride home from Ogden and then, of course, I forget it in Brandi's car. BIG MISTAKE!  We met up today so I could pick it up.  Today is April lst.  Talk about sabotage!!!! Fake app pages, Snapchat, and they changed the language setting to Chinese (which I couldn't reset because it was in Chinese!!!!! ) And the alarm going off all day.   They are the WORST!  I thought I was safe not being in their home.  Truly, they take April Fool's to a whole new level.