Last Christmas Rachel gave us a Popco microwave popcorn popper. We love it! She got the gift idea from Mel's Kitchen Cafe post titled: "Mel's Holiday Gift Guide..."
This is what Mel said about the gift:
Microwave Popcorn Popper {aff. link}: after many years, my last microwave popcorn popper went kaput. Enter this new fun popper! It works exactly how it should, and it means my kids make popcorn for after school snack 4/5 days of the week.
This is what I say about the gift:
After years of not eating popcorn very often, we are now regular popcorn eaters thanks to this new way to make popcorn. It is also fun to make a popcorn snack for our grandkids. When I was in Idaho helping with the arrival of Janelle's new baby, every day at 4:00 we paused what ever we were doing and had a popcorn popping and eating break. The grandkids loved it.
I also give this away as wedding gift along with a jar of Orville Redenbacher's Popcorn whenever I get the chance to. This is the note I include with the gift:
I know it is a gift that is appreciated because of this thank you note I received written by a newlywed husband who was the recipient of the popcorn maker:
"Thank you so much for your kind wedding gift. *Susie has frequently said she used the popcorn maker more than any wedding gift we've received. She loves it, as do l..."
Several years ago, my daughter observed a toddler playing with a version of the two middle containers and told me about this brilliant, entertaining, free toy. I've been collecting milk jug lids and containers ever since.
Just unscrew the lid of your homemade toy, dump out the milk lids and watch your toddler entertain himself by putting the lids back into the container.You can also review color names as he/she adds them to the container.
Here is another view of the tops of the container.
This great advice from Elder Jeffery Holland was posted on his Facebook page this morning. I have highlighted the parts of his message that stood out to me.
During this COVID-19 pandemic, it has been interesting for me to have so many meetings, trips, and public speaking assignments canceled and to spend more time with myself. That is something that I don’t get a lot of opportunity to do. For any of us, it’s an interesting experience to be the only person in the room and ask yourself whether you like the company. Personally, I’d say that there are some things I like about Jeff Holland, but some other things need work and improvement. I like to call this time alone with yourself “character time.” It’s a good exercise to ask hard questions and hope you like what you’re able to answer. In my normal life, I would have a few moments each day to pray and be in the scriptures. Now, I’ve had day after day where I can spend hours praying and being in the scriptures. That is a luxury that I didn’t know I’d ever have again. I hope when things go back to normal—whatever normal is going to be—that I don’t forget the feelings and experiences I’ve had during these months of reflection and solitude. The scriptures testify of God’s hope that we will turn to him voluntarily—His hope that we will choose to be reflective, righteous, and contemplative in a way that will all lead to His grand purpose and to our improvement. There are many ways that we can learn to be more careful, more thoughtful, more grateful, more spiritual—and I believe that for many of us, the COVID-19 pandemic is one of those ways.We would be foolish to miss out on this sacred opportunity to search our souls, do a little repenting, and look for how we can be better and kinder.
This picture with Elder Holland was taken in 2006 during the Arcadia Stake Conference
Here's some great entertainment to watch during the COVID-19 quarantine season. This is music that I call truly Americana because it is so unique to the backcountry of the U.S.A. This particular number, The Orange Blossom Special, actually mimics the sounds, rhythm, and pace of an old-time locomotive train... can you hear it?
Here's a seasoned band playing the same song. I'd say they are ready to shake the barn down with the help of the clog dancer at the end.
The Eric Tackett Productions youtube channel said this about the video:
I filmed this awesome video live, on the front row, during the Museum of Appalachia Fall Homecoming. Close to the end of the performance, we didn't know what was coming when a talented clog dancer started shaking the whole barn. He almost danced the barn down...literally! (buck dancing)
I was listening to the Tabernacle Choir Channel the other day when the song, Love Is Spoken Here was played. A feeling of peace came over me as I listened. My mind went back to my childhood. I am grateful I was raised in a home where love was spoken.
With all this craziness going on in the world today with the COVID-19 pandemic and civil unrest, I was happy to be reminded that we can have peace during this time as we live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and put Him first in our lives.
You can listen to the song by clicking onto the video
I thought of my mother as I heard these words:
"Her plea to the Father quiets all my fears,
And I am thankful love is spoken here."
Love is Spoken Here
by Janice Kapp Perry
I see my mother kneeling with our family each day.
I hear the words she whispers as she bows her head to pray.
Her plea to the Father quiets all my fears,
And I am thankful love is spoken here.
Mine is a home where ev'ry hour is blessed by
The strength of priesthood pow'r,
With father and mother leading the way,
Teaching me how to trust and obey;
And the things they teach are crystal clear,
For love is spoken here.
I can often feel the Savior near
When love is spoken here.
I enjoyed learning the background of how Janice Kapp Perry came to write the song.
This past weekend we received these pictures of our latest 4 grandchildren (along with an older grand daughter) who were born into our family within the past 6 months.
As we thought of these sweet grandchildren, the hymn Count Your Blessings came to our mind. You see, each of these 4 grandchildren spent some time in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) after birth. Yet, we count our blessings that they are here, and are doing well. The greatest blessing is knowing that our Heavenly Father is real, is near, and knows us and our family members personally. We count that as our greatest blessing.
Count Your Blessing
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings; name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
Chorus:
Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your blessings;
See what God hath done.
Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings;
See what God hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings; ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.
Chorus
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.
Count your many blessings; money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.
Chorus
So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged; God is over all.
Count your many blessings; angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
Chorus
Text: Johnson Oatman Jr., 1856–1922
Music: Edwin O. Excell, 1851–1921
An Aaronic Priesthood Choir from Stakes in Layton sings, "Count Your Blessings."
This COVID-19 pandemic has brought to my attention a new way to make and share music while in being quarantined. And it is through virtual choirs. ❤️
I was happy when this beautiful song came across my YouTube feed. The message of this song's title, "How Can I Keep from Singing" is so fitting after listening to the video. It's amazing to me to see that these talented people from New York were brought together through the Internet in perfect harmony.
This is what Matt Podd's YouTube site said about this video: Featuring...
Grace Chorale of Brooklyn
https://www.gracechorale.org/
First Unitarian Congregational Society in Brooklyn
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyq-...
First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn
https://fpc.church/
Music arranged, orchestrated, produced, and mixed by Adam & Matt Podd
www.poddbrothers.com
Video produced and edited by Joe Gabriel
www.thejoegabriel.com
Additional audio editing from Jonnie Dredge
All audio and video was captured by singers and musicians in their own homes.
This video preformed by Home Free makes me laugh every time I watch it.
Wishing everyone the best of health from Vancouver, Canada! Stay home, stay safe, and keep singing!
Lyrics: Zach Timson (@zach_timson) and Nicholle Andrews
Original Music: Billy Joel
Arrangement: Carolyn Shiau
Video Editing: Carolyn Shiau and Vaughn Chauvin
Sound Editing and Mixing: Brad Andrews
Artistic Director: Nicholle Andrews
Recorded in isolation by members of the following groups:
Phoenix Chamber Choir - Vancouver, BC
University of Redlands Chapel Singers - Redlands, CA
Songcology (mentored by Musica Intima) - Vancouver, BC
Crescent Choirs - White Rock, BC
Da Camera Singers - Edmonton, AB
Filles de L'île - Montreal, QC
Hart House Jazz Choir (Oscat) - Toronto, ON
Jubilate Vocal Ensemble - Vancouver, BC
Quartom - Montreal, QC
Richmond Orchestra and Chorus Association (ROCA) - Richmond, BC
St. Mary's Kerrisdale - Vancouver, BC
Timbre! Choir - Port Alberni, BC
Vancouver Bach Choir - Vancouver, BC
One Voice Children’s Choir is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation based in Utah, USA. The vision statement of the choir is, “through music, we inspire, enrich, uplift, and serve our global community, while building youth as One Voice.”
Music Credits:
Words and Music by Adam Levine, Jon Bellion, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Stefan Johnson, Michael Pollack, and Vincent Ford
Canon in D composed by Johann Pachelbel (1653 - 1706)
Arranged and Produced by Masa Fukuda
Mixed and Mastered by Masa Fukuda
Video Credits:
Producer / Director: Kathie Steinagel
Cinematography and Editing: Nick Sales
Idos Media: RJ Idos, Morgan Steinagel
And how do you put together a virtual video? Take a deep breath and wonder no more after you watch Nick Sales explain how he edited the One Voice Children's Choir rendition of "Memories".
July 3, 2020 - And this music just keeps on coming.... I heard this one today - just in time for the 4th of July tomorrow.
Home Free put together this video (featuring Lee Greenwood and The United States Air Force Band)
....and this is how Home Free made the video.
October 11, 2020 This one recently came out. Just in time to go back to church after not being able to attend services for about 6 months.
This year, (2021) Scott was in charge of our church's ward Christmas party/dinner.
This video hit home with us.
My nephew is in the video as an alumni of the BYU Men's choir.
This hymn was produced by our good friend from California, Nils Lindstrom.
This is what Nil's YouTube site said about this video: Memorial Day 2020. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Kristen Hamilton Director, Shannon Hyer Accompanist. Featuring Becky Hagen, Crysta Lew, Heidi Slater, Jackie Cox, Jocelyn Hansen, Joseph Jensen, Judilynn Watkins, Kendall Merkley, Kent Welling, Kristen Hamilton, Leslie, Loraine Lindstrom, Nils Lindstrom, Maren Hamilton, Mike Miller, Ryan Lew, Steve Slater, Tim Monzello
We watched this performance this morning on Music and the Spoken Word and it brought us back to our Arcadia days when the Southern California Mormon Choir would sing this medley every year at the 4th of July Concert.
This is what The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square had to say about the song:
The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square perform a medley "A Tribute to the Armed Services," arranged by Lloyd Larson. The medley consists of "The Army Goes Rolling Along," "Marine Corps Hymn," "Semper Paratus," "Anchors Aweigh," "The U.S. Air Force (Wild Blue Yonder)," and "America the Beautiful."
Of course, I think of our family members who have served our country as I listen to the song: Bryce Jeppson in the Marines. George Magnusson in the Navy. Kiefer Harris in the Air force. David Wood in the Army
This is our home in Duarte flying, "The Emblem of the Land We Love".
Clickhere for the link to watch the whole program. This the narrative of what was said on the program.
The Spoken Word
“The Emblem of the Land We Love”
The flag of the United States has flown on the earth and the moon, on the home front and the battlefront, in conflict and in peace. Something stirs within us when we see this red, white, and blue “emblem of the land [we] love, the home of the free and the brave.”
For many of us, that stirring is especially deep when we remember those who have died defending what the flag represents. As one unknown patriot wrote, “Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.” Today we honor the heroic men and women throughout history who have defended our nation. Without their sacrifice, the flag would be little more than a colorful piece of fabric. Because of their sacrifice, the flag continues to proclaim to all the world the principles of freedom, equality, liberty, and justice for all.
Of course, we all know that no nation is perfect. And yet our love and respect for our country seems to deepen as we work to overcome our shortcomings and mistakes, past and present. What makes any country great is the principles of its founding, its boundless potential, and its constant striving to live up to those precepts.
The same is true of each of us. After all, a country is made up of individuals—all less than perfect and all with great potential. In a sense each of us is, like our beloved flag, an emblem of this land we love. Our country is only as strong as each individual who serves and sacrifices for its core institutions: for home and family, for neighborhoods and communities, for church and state.
And so this Memorial Day when we see the flag of freedom wave, let us remember what it represents—not just a land but a people. It waves for the sons and daughters who gave their all. It waves for the promise of liberty they died to protect. It waves for every patriot who has made this country the land we love. We honor their memories, this day and always.
There seems to be a new normal going on around here. The COVID-19 pandemic has us wearing masks in public to help with "keeping the virus from spreading".
Here are a few shots that our family has sent us with their "new look".
Lisa on her way to Costco
Janelle on her way to visit her baby in the hospital
Renee at a doctor visit with her cute baby
Rachel at work
Kristine and Bryce with their newborn twins
I resisted making a mask until it was announced by Costco that you couldn't shop there unless you had one.
