Music

I've been singing for as long as I can remember. My sister and I have sung together since we were very young. Our family reunion was held every summer and included a talent show. We would sing together accompanied by our uncle on his guitar. Grandpa also played the piano and his harmonica. My sister sang the melody and I sang harmony. We sang at retirement homes, church programs, and when we were older, funerals and weddings. When I was eight years old, my dad put a new roof on a home owned by the local piano vendor. Instead of payment, he brought home a brand new piano. I learned to play and accompanied my sister and I as we sang. When I was 14, I was the pianist for the junior Sunday School and when I was older I learned to play the organ as well. Music has been a huge part of my life whether singing lullabies to my children or just singing in the shower. It has shaped my life and defined who I am. I know I have passed my love for music on to my children and hopefully my grandchildren. Music is eternal...

The Plan

Yesterday I attended an awards ceremony where former BYU football coach Lavell Edwards was the guest speaker. He talked about how we won't succeed at anything if we don't have a plan. Then today, we attended a conference broadcast from the Marriott Center at BYU. The speakers were Elder Holland, Sister Beck, and President Packer. Excellent talks on how to have a plan that will take us back to our Father in Heaven. In that plan we should never rely on our previous testimony, but should renew our testimony every day. The Lord is voting for us, the devil is voting against us and we make the final decision. Faith is the key to spiritual survival in these latter-days. Having a plan will keep us on the right path, the one that will lead us back to our heavenly home.

Clam Chowder

Today I went with my sister-in-law to her family's cabin in the mountains. The elevation there is 9,000 feet. The temperature was 40 degrees when we arrived. The leaves are changing colors and it was a beautiful sight, with white barked aspen trees, pine and oak trees. The air had a crispness to it and made us look forward to the coming fall weather. I immediately thought of clam chowder, one of our favorite fall meals. I'm going to have to make some tomorrow. Maybe you should, too!!

Clam Chowder:
4 cups diced potatoes (I cheat and use frozen hash browns)
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped onion
2 cans minced clams
Simmer together until soft.
Make sauce:
2 sticks butter
1 cup flour
Melt butter and stir in flour to form a roux
Stir in one quart half and half. Stir continuously until thickened.
Add 2-3 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper
Add to potatoes, etc. Stir and serve.