We're Back!

We returned from our trip to California last week. It ended up being a "working vacation" of sorts, trying to help care for my folks. My mom was in a Care Facility when we arrived and going back to the hospital for the third time in five weeks. To make a long story short. . . she's back home and hopefully she'll be able to stay there. I thought we would get to go see friends and family in Utah but it just didn't work out. I'm glad we were able to spend so much time with my parents but I feel somewhat powerless to be able to help them, living so far away. I've actually been a little depressed about the whole thing. Hopefully I'll be able to gain some inspiration and understanding about the situation as time goes on. Anyway, as for the trip, we were able to see Angie in Missouri and go to Historic Nauvoo which was a real treat. On the trip, my laptop got a bad virus which I still haven't gotten fixed so I'm left to try and blog on our antique computer. We'll see how long that lasts. Its great to be home. I've now lived in North Carolina longer than anywhere else in my life so I feel like I can now officially say it's "where I come from. . ."

"Mid pleasures and palaces

though we may roam,

Be it ever so humble,

there's no place like home."

~John Howard Payne

My Pioneer Parents

Here's a picture of my parents a little over ten years ago serving as missionaries in Nauvoo, Illinois. We went to Nauvoo the year they served and have sweet memories of seeing my parents perform in a play and also listening to my mom tell the stories of the Mormons of Historic Nauvoo. My mother has always been a natural storyteller and it was a wonderful experience to hear her retell history of the Nauvoo community especially at the temple site. In the coming week we plan to meet Angie in Missouri and go to Nauvoo again for the first time after ten years. It won't be the same without my parents who are a great example in our family of going on a mission in their senior years.

"You don't have to push a handcart,

Leave your fam'ly dear,

Or walk a thousand miles or more,

To be a pioneer

You do need to have great courage,

Faith to conquer fear,

And work with might

for a cause that's right

to be a pioneer!"

~Ruth Muir Gardner

Some Favorite Pioneer Quotes:

Truly the Lord encourages us

to walk in faith

to the edge of the light

and beyond—into the unknown.

After the trial of our faith,

He once again shines the light

ahead of us, and our journey of faith

in every footstep continues."

~M. Russell Ballard

That first trek of 1847,

organized and led by Brigham Young,

is described by historians

as one of the great epics

of United States history. . .

Can we somehow find the courage

and that steadfastness of purpose

which characterized the pioneers

of a former generation?. . .

Oh, how the world needs pioneers today!"

~Thomas S. Monson

Canned Apple Pie Filling Recipe

When I first moved to North Carolina, I met some fun friends who got me started with canning. This recipe is one of my favorites because its a quick desert option when I need something to take to a party or taking dinner to someone in need. Enjoy!

4 1/2 cups white sugar
1 cup corn starch
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons salt
10 cups water
3 Tablespoons lemon juice
2 drops yellow food coloring
6 pounds of apples
DIRECTIONS: In a large pan, mix sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add salt and water and mix well. Bring to a boil and cook until thick and bubbly. Remove from heat and add lemon juice and food coloring. Sterilize canning jars, lids and rings by boiling them in a large pot of water.Peel, core, and slice apples. Pack the sliced apples into hot canning jars, leaving a 1/2 inch headspace. Fill jars with hot syrup, and gently remove air bubbles with a knife. Put lids on and process in a water bath canner for 20 minutes.