The Little Mermaid

I took my Merrie Misses class to see The Little Mermaid in the movie theater (this was back in 1989). I dozed during the movie and when I woke up Ariel had legs. I didn't say anything until I was driving the girls home and sheepishly I said, "How did she get legs?"

They yelled at me for falling asleep.

Really?

This was the view out my window this morning. Counting down until Spring...

Sneak peek

I sewed and sewed and sewed until three this morning and almost finished my red quilt.

Thinking about my next quilt

Walk along the river

This afternoon I took a short walk along the frozen Charles River. I love the shadows on the ice! I'll never get tired of Boston (even in the winter).

A meeting at the museum

Since all RS activities are "meetings", tonight we had a meeting at the MFA. The new "Art of the Americas" wing is beautiful. The museum has a different feel to it that I can't really describe. I want to call them tomorrow and ask what some of the wall paint colors are! If you live in/near Boston, it's worth the trip. And Wednesday nights are FREE!

Note: I did not take this photo.

Mat Burnett's funeral

I taped Mat's funeral on Saturday. I'm not sure how to link the file to my blog but if you'd like to upload or download it (whichever...) send me email (patton_ellen@hotmail.com) and I'll give you access to the mp3 file or I can mail you a CD. If you can say a funeral was great, Mat's funeral was great. There were wonderful tributes to one of the greats.

And here are two more photos from Saturday. Ian played Taps at the funeral and Colin let a balloon go at Mt. Auburn Cemetery.

Good cookies

White kids

Mt. Auburn Cemetery

Mat chose to be buried at Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge. Kimberly's brother gave a beautiful prayer dedicating Mat's grave. Before the prayer, family members and a few close friends wrote on Mat's wood casket. Now that's cool.

Photo displays from today

Mat's funeral

Today's was my friend Mat's funeral at the Cambridge Stake Center. Kimberly asked me to say one of the prayers; she said Mat would want that. I was honored (and snagged the opening since I didn't think I'd be able to hold it together to give the closing prayer). The tributes were all wonderful. I loved hearing about Mat's life and the stories his friends and family members shared about him. Kimberly also gave a tribute. It was so nice. All the music was beautiful. Mat's son Ian (he's 9) played "Taps" on Mat's old cornet and then the congregation sang the 3 verses a cappella. It was perfect.

Gathering photos

I've been helping to gather photos for a display at the Visitation for Mat. This is another favorite (I'm allowed lots of favorites). It was taken in April of 2006 at Robbins Farm Park overlooking Boston.

Have you tried these?

Take them out of the freezer, leave them on a cookie sheet for 9 hours (overnight is perfect), and then bake for 18 minutes. They. are. delicious.

Like I said before, if you don't live by a Trader Joe's you may want to move.

Note: don't move yet because I couldn't find any in the store this week...but I'll keep looking.

Favorite photo

I took some family photos of the Burnetts at Menotomy Rocks Park in June of 2008. This has always been one of my favorites.

Mat battled neuroendocrine cancer for nearly six years. See his obituary here.

(Sometimes) I hate Mapquest...

...especially when I get lost in my own town. Like tonight.

Mathew Burnett 1970-2011

Heart graffiti

photo taken in Boothbay Harbor, Maine

Love this chubby baby!

Here she is in their fall family photos.

Searching for hearts

Click here for the story.

Primary Penny Parade

(from my blog archives)

It was February. I was four. I made a poster for the Primary Penny Parade. We had Primary on Wednesday afternoons (back in the day). I don't remember if won "best poster" or if I donated more than nine pennies (and two fake dollars) but I do remember that we took our pennies to Primary and someone mailed them to Primary Children's Hospital.

Bake cookies

Grandma Pitchforth's Sugar Cookies
1/2 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 T milk
2 1/2 cups sifted flour
2 t baking powder
1 t vanilla (I use 1/2 t vanilla and 1/2 t almond)

Cream butter, add sugar and beat until light. Add beaten eggs, milk and flavoring. Sift or whisk flour with baking powder and add to mixture. Chill dough for an hour or so. Roll and cut into shapes as desired. Sprinkle with colored sugar before baking. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

TEXAS SHEET CAKE

Pan size is important; I use a jelly roll pan.

THE CAKE

Bring to a BOIL:

2 sticks butter

4 T cocoa

1 cup water

POUR over:

2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

1 t soda

pinch of salt

ADD:

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 eggs

1 t vanilla

Mix well. Bake 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool.

THE FROSTING

Bring to a RAPID BOIL (it might separate and look scary!):

1 stick butter

4 T cocoa

6 T buttermilk

Then ADD:

3-4 cups powdered sugar

1 t vanilla

Pour over cooled cake. Sprinkle top with nuts if desired.

Recipe Swap: Texas food

Tonight was our monthly RS Recipe Swap (theme: Texas/southern food). This big bowl of Texas Caviar hit the spot. I took Texas Sheet Cake. Ya'll can't go wrong with that.

On my doorstep

One verse only

Our Relief Society lessons usually run right up to the wire so often we sing one verse only of the closing song, or just have the closing prayer. There are always Primary kids needing to be picked up and sometimes they are clawing at the door. I'm usually the one suggesting that we 86 the closing hymn altogether and just have a prayer. Not today. My counselor Elisabeth taught a wonderful lesson about Visiting Teaching and shared personal stories about the women she visits and the women that visit her. And other nice stories were shared. I really felt like we needed to sing the closing song so when I wrapped things up, choking back tears I said, "I'd like us to sing all three verses."

As Sisters in Zion
Resolutely

1. As sisters in Zion, we'll all work together;
The blessings of God on our labors we'll seek.
We'll build up his kingdom with earnest endeavor;
We'll comfort the weary and strengthen the weak.

2. The errand of angels is given to women;
And this is a gift that, as sisters, we claim;
To do whatsoever is gentle and human,
To cheer and to bless in humanity's name.

3. How vast is our purpose, how broad is our mission,
If we but fulfill it in spirit and deed.
Oh, naught but the Spirit's divinest tuition
Can give us the wisdom to truly succeed.

Text: Emily H. Woodmansee, 1836-1906
Music: Janice Kapp Perry, b. 1938.

Craft & treat day

My friends Judianne, Natalie, Nicole and I made pies in a jar and covered some tiles with paper today. Like I've said before, we always have a fun time when we get together.

How much more snow and ice...

...can I handle? Ha!

Friendship - part 2

I have lots of friends that don't really have a lot in common with me. Three examples:

--A few times a year I get together with my little friends Natalie and Nicole (who are 11 and 7) and we make a treat and a craft. We are always happy to see each other. We are getting together on Saturday to make Valentines and pies in a jar! Click here and here to see other things we've made.

--On a day trip to Maine, while having lunch at McDonald's, I met Jean who was in her 80's and we became fast friends. Every time I went to Maine after meeting Jean I would meet up with her (usually at the Maine Diner), introduce her to who I was traveling with, and she'd treat us to a $1 ice cream sundae at the McDonald's where we met. She was always delightful company.

--I met Mat when he and his wife Kimberly moved into my ward (I try to visit all the new folks, no matter what my calling is). A few years later when I bought my condo we became neighbors. Almost six years ago Mat was diagnosed with cancer. I've helped them frame some of the family photos I took. I took photos of Mat's cool motorcycle. And I've been his tapioca and treat supplier. I've visited Mat quite a bit lately to finish up a few projects and I can't even express how thankful I am for our friendship.

I'm glad all my friends aren't single LDS women in my (middle) age range. My life has been enriched by many non-traditional friendships.

Lu-cra-tive (winter)

Adjective: Producting a great deal of profit.

Shaq-o-meter

Click here to see how much snow fall we've had in Boston.