Aggie Dinner Night At Our House

I kinda look forward to Roger and I hosting our Aggie Dinner Night 

because I have fun planning what we're going to eat, 

trying to make something I haven't served them before, 

and then it's fun 

figuring out how I'm going to set up the table.

I plan all of this early and work on things a bit at a time, two or three days out, 

then I don't get stressed out and I actually enjoy my own party. 

And probably the #1 reason all of this works is because Roger is such a fabulous sous chef! 

He works side by side with me as we prepare and he does most of the bending and lifting, 

which there is a surprising amount of when you cook and entertain.

I wanted to make the table be about Spring, and I had these little daisy napkin rings, 

so I used fresh daisies in this hand-painted vase I have had a long time as the centerpiece. 

And I found these cloth napkins with bright purple hyacinths we received as a wedding gift 

that I have never used! 

Roger took a few pics of the table all set up before our friends arrived.

We served the food buffet style.

I brined thick pork chops overnight, then Roger grilled them outside.

We served them with candied yams, sprialized and baked French fries 

( I wanted something crunchy with the soft yams and I got to use my new spiralizer), 

and fresh haricot vert green beans.

Mary brought a delicious green salad with yummy dressing 

and Anne baked a delicious Bundt chocolate cake she served with various flavors of gelato.

Okay, I've gone on about the food and decor, but here is why we love Aggie Night!

Jay and Anne Taylor

Bob and Mary Brady

Sorry Bob, quit chewing, we've got to get a couple pics!

We cherish our long friendships with these great people! 

Those friendships have spanned five decades!

"Make new friends, but keep the old, 

The new ones are silver, but the old ones, gold!

Celebrating Love

Our dear teacher (I must insert Master Teacher here) and friend,
Dr. Wayne Brickey, passed away April 10. 
To quote from his obituary,"he is now beginning his higher education in the realms of glory."
Roger and I were able to drive up north to his viewing in Orem and meet up with Mindy and Jodie 
(Jeff babysat Mindy's 4 kids and Rick had a stake meeting), and we got to meet some of the Brickey kids, 
hug his wife, Joanne, and tell her we love her.

Brother Brickey is so important to our family.
All of our children and most of their spouses had the privilege of having him as a tour guide to the Holy Land.
He reached each one of them on a personal level during their tour 
to further love Jesus Christ 
and to understand His mission better.
  
In 2010, Roger and I, with all of our kids and spouses, had him and his wonderful wife, Joanne, 
take us on a Church History tour through Missouri. 
Two little nursing babies, Addie and Anderson,  got to come along for the ride!

We traveled with him to Church history sites, learning from him each day, 

then had him come to our motel at night, where we all met to listen to him some more.

It was as if our thirst for his vast wisdom and knowledge could not be quenched.

And we managed to have lots of fun with him along the way!

What a witty, fun spirit he had, and he absolutely adores his cute wife, Joanne!

His many credentials include LDS Institute teacher, degrees in education and philosophy, a Doctorate from BYU in Educational Leadership, a tour director and published in magazines, online publications, LDS Church curriculum, and several books.

But his selfless service, his insight and his true love of God are his best ones.

And his hilarious sense of humor!

It's no wonder that the Stratford girls call themselves 

The Brickettes!

Roger and I got to attend a religion class he taught on Wednesday nights in St. George for five years. 

We went all through each of the standard works with him.

His last words, the whispering efforts of a suffering and sincere soul, were, 

"If I could give you one word of counsel, it would be to pray, pray, pray, pray."

His greatest sermon, a life well lived.

We celebrate you, dear friend.

Easter Sunday was a celebration of the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

We attended an extra-special block of meetings in our branch with two wonderful talks 

and our INSTA-CHOIR sang, "How Great Thou Art."

I led over 50 who sang in the choir.

The spirit was strong, with us feeling our love for our Master.

The only pics we have of Easter, without any little kids and bunnies and baskets, are of our Easter dinner. 

Go figure!

Roger grilled mint-and-garlic-marinated lamb chops 

and we had golden raisin and almond sauteed spinach and baked potatoes.

I made a coconut poke cake, which has coconut cream and sweetened condensed milk 

poured through poked holes in a white cake and topped with coconut-flavored whipped cream and coconut flakes.

To end this post on a lighter note, which is about celebrating love, I am including two pretty pics 
that Roger took this morning while he was golfing with his golf buddies 
he goes with every Monday morning at Sunbrook.
We love God's beauty, which is all around us.

We both celebrate our opportunities we have to learn in our lives, 
our dear family and friends and especially the love we have for our dear Savior.

Tea Party, Twinkle, Twinkle and Treats

We had a quick overnight and half-a -day visit from the Linds last weekend 

because they were on their way to stay with the Youngs for Spring Break. 

One of the first things out of Addie's mouth every time she visits  is, 

"Grandma, can we have a Tea Party?"

On Saturday morning, while Jeff and Mindy went on a long run in training for an upcoming half-marathon, 

we sat down to strawberry orange "tea" and a plate of little goodies.

Cheers!

I think we'll be having another party guest at our teas from now on!

Little Fi is the sweetest cuddler and she calls me Grandma Twinkle because we always pull up,

 Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and other silly songs on youtube and sing along with them.

Under the Treat part of this post,

I made this chocolate tunnel cake with ganache frosting recently,

then shared it with neighbors so we wouldn't eat it all.

Last Sunday was our semi-annual April General Conference,

and we had spring lamb chops with mint jelly 

(I know mint jelly is not sophisticated, but it's the only way to eat lamb chops), 

oven curly fries and asparagus.

I cleaned out my recipe cabinet last week and ran onto Phyllis Hull's old recipe collection 

of flip cards on large rings. 

Phyllis, a dear and long-gone friend of my mom's, actually, of all of us Caldwell Gabrielsens in the day,

was known as a great cook.

She and her sisters (all great cooks) put this collection together, probably in the 1960s.

I read through many of the recipes and found this old-fashioned one for Angel Pie. 

I thought it would be appropriate for General Conference Sunday dinner! ;)

It combines meringue, fresh lemon filling and whipped cream.

Heavenly!

I served it with fresh strawberries.

And by far the biggest Treat of all - 

watching the Saturday and Sunday sessions of LDS April, 2017 General Conference .

Filled to capacity crowd in the Conference Center

President Thomas S. Monson, 1st Counselor Henry B Eyring on his right and 2nd Counselor Dieter F. Uchtdorf on his left

Apostles greeting each other

President Uchtdorf and Apostle Neil L Andersen sharing a laugh

Each six months, I get my batteries charged when I listen to the marvelous talks in General Conference.
I look forward to it so much.
I chose some of my favorite quotes from the conference.
All of the complete talks are available on line at lds.org.

 

I look forward to reading and studying the talks because they are so packed with good info and inspiration.
Now, if I can just incorporate what I learn into being better!