“GET A NOTEBOOK…write in it your goings and comings, your deepest thoughts, your achievements and your failures, your associations and your triumphs, your impressions and your testimonies.” ~Spencer W Kimball
3 quarts peeled, cooked beets (about 24 small) 2 cups sugar 2 sticks cinnamon 1 Tablespoon allspice 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 3 1/2 teaspoons vinegar 1 1/2 cups water DIRECTIONS: Combine all ingredients, except beets in a large sauce pot. Simmer 15 minutes. Pack beets into hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch head space. (Cut large beets in half, if necessary.) Remove cinnamon. Bring pickling liquid to a boil. Pour hot liquid over beets, leaving 1/4 inch head space. Remove air bubbles. Adjust caps. Process pints and quarts 30 minutes in boiling water bath. Yields about 6 pints. I first had pickled beets at Thanksgiving Dinner with my good friend Elaine M. She's such a good "canning buddy." Anyway, ever since then it has been a family tradition...Enjoy!
Coach (Dad) and Teresa (his caregiver) waiting for the funeral Jana, Becky, Jeremiah and Sam, Viewing before the funeral (Jake holding Joseph, & Michael)
At the funeral, my sister's husband Hugh B. gave the invocation. There were three musical selections: first, "Danny Boy" on the piano by Barry B. a family friend. My mom always loved this song and had told Barry when he was a young boy that she wanted him to play it at her funeral. Second, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" by a Men's Chorus consisting of my two brothers, Adam and Mark and all grandsons that were in attendance, Rick, Bill, Robert, Jake, David, Michael and Sam. Third, Mom's oldest great-grandson, Jeremiah, my niece Cassie's son, sang "Families Can Be Together Forever." My sister Martha gave a wonderful eulogy focusing on how my mom was a teacher at heart and was anxious to teach her family and all. Martha's son, Bill B. gave a talk and Bob D., from the stake presidency and long time friend of the family presided over the meeting and gave some closing thoughts about Mom. Mark's daughter Anne S. gave the benediction.
Family & Friends at the graveside, Adam sang "Abide with Me"
R., Dorothy McMullin has been a resident of Lancaster, CA for 55 years. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at home Nov. 29, 2009. Born in Corona, CA Apr. 22, 1929. Her family homestead in Lucerne Valley, as she grew older she attended school in San Bernardino and San Dimas. She graduated from Bonita High School and Brigham Young University. She was an outstanding athlete. She taught high school Physical Education and typing. Years later she taught preschool at Lane Park and The Children’s Corner. She also worked 20 years as a secretary for the LDS Institute of Religion. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, William R., her children, Martha B. (Houston) of Lancaster, Mark R. (JoLinda) of Clovis, CA, Beth L. (David) of Hope Mills, NC, and Adam R. of Holladay, UT, 19 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. She loved life, learning, her family, and the piano. She will be very missed. Viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009, at Halley-Olsen-Murphy, Lancaster. Also a viewing from 9-9:45 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 10 a.m., Friday, Dec. 4, 2009, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1701 W. Lancaster Blvd., Lancaster. Interment will be at 2 p.m.LaVerne Cemetery, LaVerne, CA.
Jessica had her wisdom teeth pulled Thursday. I've heard of kids getting their teeth pulled early and never really understood why but it was because her wisdom teeth were blocking her 12 year old molars from coming through. Anyway, lots of pain and anguish but she's getting better and started back to school today. As I saw her sad and swollen face, I thought of the old Fahrney Bottles that I had collected from years back. My husband's mother's maiden name is Fahrney and earlier in our marriage, I started collecting old "Fahrney Medicine Bottles." Some of the medicine was for teething. Maybe Jessica inherited her teeth issues from the Fahrney side and that's why the Fahrneys needed toothache syrup. Thank goodness for modern medicine and oral surgery.
2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese 3 oz. shredded cheddar cheese 1/4 cup cornflakes, crushed 1 small can crushed pineapple, drained 2 Tablespoons green onions, finely chopped 2 teaspoons seasoned salt DIRECTIONS: Mix together and chill. Roll in chopped pecans 1 hour before serving.
Everyone always asks me for this recipe. Sometimes I 2x-4x the recipe and make smaller balls to give away at Christmastime.
A few weeks ago, my mom went on hospice. Her health issues have gotten progressively worse, so the four kids got together to be with my parents. I think it was good for mom to see us all together again. It has been hard to see my parents age. My sister has taken on a majority of the leadership in caring for them. A few years ago, Teresa came into our lives and has been a blessing, taking care of my parents on a constant basis. As I've prayed for peace in my parents lives, I've felt impressions of teaching moments that I received through my life at the hand of my mom and I've been telling my mom about them. As sick and weak as she feels, its been a blessing to have her somewhat alert to hear, communicate and respond. I forever pray for peace and comfort of the Holy Spirit in their lives. I know Heavenly Father is aware of them and that
"His (God's) Will Be Done."
Coach, Me & Mom Mark, Martha, Beth, Adam Coach, Mom The Kids Again Jake, Martha, Kathy, Adam, Emma, Jolinda, Mark
Coach, Teresa & Mom
“At some period in our mortal mission, there appears the faltering step, the wan smile, the pain of sickness— even the fading of summer, the approach of autumn, the chill of winter. … “I extol those who, with loving care and compassionate concern, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and house the homeless. He who notes the sparrow’s fall will not be unmindful of such service.” ~President Thomas S. Monson
Jessica and 190 Middle School students sang at the Middle School Honor Chorus for the state of North Carolina. She was of 1 of 19 from Cumberland County and the only one from her school to participate. Their musical clinician was Jonathan Willcocks from England. It was a fun event and we're really proud of Jessica and grateful to her music director Mrs. Campbell.
Last week we went to Aunt Joan and Uncle Earl's 50th Anniversary Celebration. It was a great party. Joan is the sister of Dave's dad and we came to North Carolina twenty-two years ago for Dave to work at Joan and Earl's Cabinet company. Happy Anniversary!
General Conference is always a delight for me because it's such a spiritual experience to hear the words of our living apostles and prophet. It was especially exciting to hear of the upcoming building of five new temples because one of these temples is to be built where I served a mission (Fort Lauderdale Florida Mission). When I was called to serve a mission in 1977, the closest temple for the Florida Saints was in Washington DC. It was still quite a sacrifice to go to the temple for the Spanish Saints that I served in Miami and Hialeah. I can remember an Elder in our mission that was so excited about missionary work that he had this idea of making a model of a temple out of sugar cubes and for each baptism the missionaries had in our area, we would add sugar cubes to build this replica of a temple. It was quite motivating for the members of our ward, to invite their friends and neighbors to hear the gospel message in hopes that one day, there would be a temple in the area. Well that sugar cube temple has long gone but not the spirit of these wonderful saints for now there will be that long awaited temple in their area. What a blessing a temple will have for the saints of Southern Florida... Some might have said it was an impossible task to get a temple there but their dedication in living the gospel and sharing it with others has brought forth a wonderful blessing.
"Let us with faith, enthusiasm, dedication, responsibility,
1 Tablespoons poppy seeds 1/4 cup Low fat milk 1/4 cup Splenda 1/2 cup Miracle Whip Light 1/8 cup white vinegar
DIRECTIONS: In a small bowl, whisk together salad dressing, milk, Splenda, vinegar, and poppy seeds. Chill until ready to use. (Can also be made with sugar and/or regular miracle whip salad dressing) I love this dressing. Its quick to make and really yummy.
I've been teaching Valiant 9 Class for our ward Primary for the last two year and really enjoying my calling. I love serving in Primary but in September I was called to serve as Education Counselor in our Stake Relief Society. I'll miss my Primary Class but look forward to working with some special ladies. I'm excited to meet with sisters throughout the stake. We've already gotten our feet wet this last Saturday by organizing a dinner and inviting the whole stake to our annual Women's General Meeting Broadcast. We had wonderful food and enjoyed the Broadcast.
Jennifer L. Secretary,(Me) Education Counselor,
Sherrie M. President, Pattie S. Enrichment Counselor
Some favorite quotes
for sisters in the church:
"Relief Society
was established by the Lord
to organize, teach, and inspire
His daughters
to prepare for the blessings of eternal life."
~Julie B. Beck
"As you live up to this mission,
in whatever life circumstance
you find yourself—
as a wife, as a mother, as a single mother,
as a divorced woman, as a widowed or a single woman—
One of my goals this year was to write a little bit about members of my family on their birthdays. Well, I haven't been totally successful but I thought I'd try to catch up on a few.
My Paternal Grandmother
Grandma Martha Ann
was born the 6th of August 1896. She married my grandfather at age twenty-one and had five children. They said she played the piano and organ by heart and played every Sunday for church. She passed away from tuberculosis when my dad was only six month's old. One of the teachings of the church that my dad responded to when he was learning about the church was "The Plan of Salvation" and how families are sealed together forever. He was anxious to have ordinance work done for his mother. Martha Ann died the 25th of December 1927.
My Maternal Grandmother
Grandma Cassie
She was born on the 4th of September 1899; they say she was only 1 1/2 pounds at birth and that her parents put her in a shoebox and fed her a drop of whisky through an eye dropper every hour for the first night. She survived. Her family made a meager living picking cotton on farms in east Texas. She didn't go to school and taught herself to read and write when she was eighteen. Her family joined the church when she was about eleven years old. She moved west at age eighteen and at age twenty-seven married my grandfather, a widower who was raising two boys. They had twins of their own--my mom, Dorothy and brother Doyle. They raised their family in San Bernardino and San Dimas, California. They also homesteaded property in Lucerne Valley for two years. Grandma loved children and loved to care for others. In addition to her family, she often took care of lots of cousins, nieces and nephews. She ran a boarding house and in later years, lived with and took care of my Great-Aunt Pearl. I have fond memories of going to her house for sleep-overs and also going to lunch at her apartment near the high school. She was a great cook, very thrifty and hard-working. My favorite memory was when I was a young adult and grandma started collecting cans. It started because I believe we were collecting cans for scouts. When Grandma found out that boys were getting cash for cans she took recycling to a whole new level. Besides having family, friends, and neighbors saving their cans for her, she had her own little route that she would go on daily which included dumpster diving at nearby businesses. I was kinda embarrassed for her because she would dress up in a big garbage bag and wear a shower cap. One day I told her she shouldn't do it, it was dangerous and she looked like a crazy bag lady. Besides, how much money could really be made from collecting cans. Was it really worth the trouble? I'll never forget her response, "this money that I'm making is to send your nephews on missions." She then proceeded in her own simple way to tell me the blessings of missionary work. I don't remember ever hearing grandma bear her testimony but I did feel the spirit from her that day and I knew her motives for collecting cans were sacred in nature. From that moment on, whenever I saw my grandma in her "can collecting get-up," walking down the street, I thought to myself..."there goes an elect lady." Seriously, and for the record...my sister Martha said that the money grandma made was put into a savings account and it did pay for both Ricky and Billy to go on missions. True story. Grandma Cassie passed away 24th March 1987 and there's a sacred story to her death that I'll have to save for another post. I love my grandma.
My Paternal Grandfather "Pop" Dee Allen
He was born 6th September 1885; died 14th December 1975. Pop was a high school teacher in Grand Rapids Michigan. He taught drafting. With the help of his sisters, he raised his young family of five children who are all still living except for the oldest son, my uncle Jim. Pop lived with us after he had a stroke. His hearing was very poor by then but I can remember coming home after school and we'd play "Scrabble". I love that game. I can remember my father being very caring with him as he got older. Pop would take a walk everyday in the neighborhood to keep himself going.
Hi, my name is Beth and this is my "notebook"~ I'm originally from Southern California. I met and married my husband David about forty years ago and we moved to North Carolina. We've enjoyed raising our children here in the South. I love my faith, family & sports. My hobbies are doing family history, quilting & making sourdough bread.
Angie & Edward
Jake & Lauren
Jessica & Justin
Carson & McKenna
Our Angel ~ Steven
3 February 1987 ~ 25 February 1987
"Grandchildren fill a space in your heart that you never knew was empty"
