A good read.

These Is My Words by Nancy E. Turner Content Rating and Review | The Literate Mother

I just finished reading These Is My Words by Nancy E. Turner.( As I read the last page it was everything I could do not to turn back to page one and begin again. That agony that comes from not being able to put the book down but knowing that I am only bringing the end more quickly. So painful.

If you love stories, family, deep relationships and the lives of strong women, this is a must read. Laughter, tears, beauty and tragedy. I miss the people in this book like family.

One of my favorite childhood memories is going with my mother to the parking lot in front of Christensen's Groceries when the Bookmobile was in the neighborhood.  It was a book party with all the book lovers invited.  Combining my love of small things with my love of stories, the Bookmobile was a magical place to me. It was slightly crowded and it didn't have that hushed quality that a conventional library has.

When I was older, I would ride by bike to the library and check out as many books as I could carry. When it was too hot to go outside in the summer, I would sprawl on my bed and read until my mother kicked me outside.

I still love that delicious agony when reading a good book that comes from not wanting to put the book down but knowing that reading only means the book will be over sooner!

Turkey Stock: You can do it and you will be glad you did.

I know you might not be thinking of your turkey carcass right now but you should be. That thing is culinary gold. What? Never made homemade stock? Well if you only do it once a year, this is the day. This is what you do. I guarantee you have everything you need.

1. Do you used the giblets and things to make gravy? If not, SAVE THE GIBLETS ETC.

2. After you have enjoyed the meal, shove the entire CARCASS INTO A GIANT STOCK POT.  Do Not Wait...do it NOW!

3. Check the veggie appetizers tray for the stuff to flavor the stock.  Toss in CARROTS AND CELERY. You know there is a ton left over.

4. Add those GIBLETS too.

5. Toss in a WHOLE UNPEELED ONION.

6. Add as much WATER as you can, or at least try to cover the carcass.

7. COVER and simmer while you enjoy football and pie.  (Be  sure to check the WATER LEVEL. Some can evaporate cause that makes it tasty, but you don't want to boil it all away and make turkey-day charcoal!)

8.  After a few hours the whole thing should be falling apart. Now STRAIN to get rid if all the veggies (there is no flavor left in them) and bones and refrigerated or freeze for instant soup etc.

9.  I like to put my broth into re-sealable freezer baggies in 1 or 2 cup amounts for easy use in the future. Be sure LABEL THE BROTH!

Before you are close to going to bed you have that golden elixir of kitchen bliss safely tucked away for a day when you can look at turkey without crying!

Enjoy!  And Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

The Reunion Begins!

We arrive at BYU! Let the hugging begin!
Time for some Rumbi Island Grill

St. George Sweets and a Sweetheart.

I love St. George. It has a glorious red rock beauty that I love. Even in the 110 plus days of summer, I love it.

I have wonderful memories of hiking The Narrows years ago. But that is for another post. We have one of our must-stop, gotta-have-it arteries there as well. We time our departure aol we can be sure to be starving whenever we reach Nielsen's Frozen Custard. So very smooth, so very tasty, So much MALT (if you want it). The Concrete is the way to go. Your favorite custard flavor stuffed with brownies, caramel, malt or any of dozens of other options. Bliss

After our bellies were full we needed to visit our dear uncle. He was recovering from complications from a car accident. We were lucky to find him alone. His room is often filled with visitors: friends, family, his ever devoted wife and those whose lives he has touched for good. Here is this wonderful man, stuck in a hospital bed waiting for his knee to heal while his wife, seven adult kids and thirty plus grand kids are busy with life. He would be justified to be upset about missing championship football, dances and family dinners, and I'm sure he has had low moments but this dear man talked of the good things in his life, the support of his family and the gratitude he feels for life's blessings. We were all taught by "Dad" today.