Anticipating the holidays

 

December 11, 2022

Dear Family:

I’ve been writing this family letter for so many years now that even though I don’t have to write every week, it has become a habit and I can’t seem to say, “Well I’m just going to skip this week.”

I will tell you that December is extremely busy for the bands that I manage.  We had a dance gig last Friday.  This is the first time in almost 3 years that we have played exclusively for a dance.  It is so rewarding to have people come up and thank me and request the same tune next month because it is their favorite, or say, “That tune had a great groove and was so easy to dance to.”  Even the band members enjoyed playing for dancers instead of “retirees” at the retirement homes where we’ve played the last couple of years.  I have an afternoon gig tomorrow, and I’m playing piano tomorrow night with the big band for a Christmas Concert.  Then Thursday my band has a gig at the Salem Convention Center for two hours 4-6 pm where we are just playing background music.  No entertainment.  That should be easy.  I’m meeting Brad Davis at the Tualatin Fred Meyer so he can drive in the dark, not me.

Today our ward welcomed ½ of the Cook Park Ward into our midst.  The Relief Society Room was crowded for the first time.  News: Brent & Becky Pederson are now in my ward.  Their youngest is 12 now and I was shocked. This is my last week of piano lessons for December and I’m going to enjoy the down time.  Haley is recovering from her 2^nd knee replacement surgery and I think she is very brave to go through it again so soon when she knew exactly what she was in for.

I’ll share a quote from my favorite prophet, Gordon B Hinckley.  D&C 112:10: Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.  “There is no place for arrogance in our lives, no place for conceit, no place for anything of that kind.  We are very ordinary people in many respects.  We must walk our own way.  We are here to do a work, to make something of our lives, and god our Eternal Father will bless us in so doing if we will walk in humility and prayer.” Pres. Gordon B Hinckley.

I have included this message because I am having an inner conflict with someone in authority over me who appears in every way to not be humble.  I have had interaction with this person and I’ve walked away totally in wonder. Why does this person have this calling? I’ve felt put down, ignored and that my words and feelings were not important.  I’ve been praying to accept this person and to learn to not resent this person or question those who issued the calling.  I’ve had these feelings for some months and it’s not been very comfortable.  Today I finally received a peaceful answer.  It’s really not my place to criticize or try to lobby for change.  This person needs to learn humility and maybe this calling is teaching this person humility. It may take a while.  Maybe this person will never learn humility.  Maybe this person is humble and it’s not evident on the surface.  Even if this person doesn’t learn humility, it’s not my place to make sure this person learns humility.  Heavenly Father is in charge.  Not me. Thanks for listening to my bizarre thoughts. I’m letting it go.

Brian welcoming Chis, Wade and Ben to Christmas eve.

I wish you each to have a lovely time anticipating being with family over the coming holiday.    I miss the long ago days of decorating, baking, planning and having the whole family in my home on NE 27^th Ave. I miss scurrying around finding costumes, the Christmas story, cajoling our children to share a talent, singing carols together and the piñata full of candy. I even miss the chaos.  Nice memories though.  Hope you enjoy some of my memories.  

Christmas morning after all night painting the white horse.

Brian December 1968

Christmas at Glennda and Scott's house

Christmas program at Church.
Brad in the middle, Steve Willoughby on Right, Michael Case on the Left.

Love Mom, grandma, great-grandma, sister and Aunt Suzanne

Left-overs week - Short Girls Christmas Baking Day remembered

 

December 4, 2022

Dear Family:

No birthdays this week (that I’m aware of).  Marissa is Dec. 20, Tanner is Dec 27, Brian and Megan’s anniversary is Dec 29.  Haley had her second knee replacement surgery last week.  I’m sure she is suffering right now.

Side note:  The book I was referring to in my letter/blog last week, is a movie. (I’m only 10 years behind the times- it was released in 2013).   I was scrolling through Amazon Prime, there it was ‘WISH YOU WELL.”  The movie was pretty true to the book.  I’d highly recommend it.

Amy is recovered from Covid and tested negative in record time.  So far, Mike and I don’t have it.  I hope no one else at the Brad/Sheri Schnell Thanksgiving gathering got it.

Today was our first snow of the winter.  It isn’t supposed to stick and it’s supposed to be over by late afternoon.  I hope so because I have a piano recital tonight in Beaverton at Creekside Retirement Village.  Anyway it reminded me of this Carpenter song:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ChayT4uNLM    (First Snowfall of the Winter)

Last Tuesday, I got up thinking, “I need Thanksgiving leftovers”   I happened to have a Turkey tenderloin in my freezer.  I had a box of Winco “stuffing” in my cupboard.  So I started.  I had two Granny smith apples so I made a little “apple pie in a paper bag”, I made a half batch of monkey bread.  And I shared with Mike, Amy and Conner.  Amy was still down with Covid, so she ate in bed.  Now I have to share my big discovery.  I got on line and found out how to dress up boxed stuffing.  I’m sharing the recipe (I did make a half batch with only one box of stuffing.)  I’m never going to worry about stuffing again.  It turned out great.  (I did make sure to mince (very finely chop) the onions and celery.)  I loved it and you couldn’t tell it wasn’t the old fashioned stuff.  (RECIPE IS ATTACHED TO THE EMAIL)

Last week I visited a couple hours with my old friend Dorothy Nielson.  She is going to be 97 soon.  I also spent time with Norma, a sister in the ward that I visit teach-minister to).  She is in a lot of pain, and I’ve taken her to Physical Therapy several times, to the doctor several times, got her prescriptions from Safeway a couple time. Their lives are hard, they are wondering why they are still here.  My message is:  I’m getting very familiar with those who lives are nearing the end.  I will miss them.  I feel for their suffering.  I wish I could do something other than just be helpful.  I’m 78 ½.  That’s not old, is it?  I am aware that I can’t run, I have a hard time getting up if I get down on my knees, I don’t have the endurance I used to so that I can work in the yard longer than 1 hour, etc.  But I’m so fortunate that I still teach piano, still have my band that has 6 gigs this December.  I’m healthy mostly; I can still walk unassisted, unless Mike is nearby; I can see, talk, hear, enjoy people and look forward to seeing my family soon.  I’m blessed.  Most of all, I’m blessed to have all of you in my life.

If Glennda and I had our granddaughters and granddaughters-in-law around close, we might be convinced to do our “Christmas Baking Day” again.  But without Judy, we don’t feel up to it without her.  Besides, we decided that if we make all those goodies, we’ll just eat them and I sure don’t need more sweets. I hope you enjoy these photos from our "Christmas Baking Day".

Glennda and I were just talking this morning  about this wonderful time we had together 2 or 3 or 4 years ago.  (l to r; Suzie, Glennda, Don, Scott and Judy) 

By the way, at 7pm tonight they are re-aligning the ward boundaries of 4 of the Tigard wards and the Spanish Branch.  So, we’ll see what happens.  I have thoughts about it that I’ll keep to myself.  I won’t be going to the meeting because that’s when I have my recital. 

Have a wonderful week.  Remember that “Family is Everything”. We are all so grateful that Emery is better and that all the great-grandchildren are doing well.  Being with part of the family last weekend in Spokane was a dream come true and made my heart sing. 

Love Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Sister and Aunt Suzanne

Thanksgiving 2022

 

November 27, 2022 – 11:30pm

Dear Family:

News:   

·        Happy Birthday to Sheri and Emery last week; (we have a couple birthdays in December coming up – Marissa and Tanner)

·        Emery got to come home from the hospital finally AFTER  THANKSGIVING

·        Thanksgiving happened in Oregon, Washington, Chile and Utah.

o   Brian and his whole family were together

o   Packams were in the hospital

o   Tanner & Haley went to San Antonia after dropping Thanksgiving off to the Packams

o   Mike’s boys are in Connecticut

o   Don was with Ben, Lacey and her family

o   Glennda and Scott were home in Corbett

o   Jay & Alena were home in Ocean Park and then spent a couple days at the Oregon beach

o   Haley and Steve were in Nevada/Arizona?

·        I finally met my great grandson Cole Giles. 

·        Amy &  Mike gave the Tesla it’s first road trip to Spokane and I went along.

·        Lots of wonderful food on Thanksgiving and family activities

·        AND AMY CAME DOWN WITH COVID THIS MORNING

We all had such a wonderful time at Brad and Sheri’s home (which is beautiful – by the way).  It was decorated for the holidays and there was room for all of us:  Brad, Sheri, Amy, Mike, Me, Tayor, Kelsy, Cooper, McKay, Riley, Corbin and Cole.  Riley and family arrived a day late, because Allegiant Airlines wouldn’t land in the fog on Wednesday night, so they arrived Thursday afternoon. Carter being in Chile on his mission was included in every prayer.

Amy was in great health until this morning when she woke up.  I heard her say, my cough is different today.  When we sat down in the car to come home about 10:30 all of a sudden it hit her; cough, headache, body aches, congestion – in general she felt horrible.  We all just got a text from Mike a little while ago that she tested positive for Covid late this evening and he notified all of us.  Mike and I seem fine at the moment.  I had Covid in July and August, so my antibodies should be up (hopefully). 

During the last week I’ve been reading a 22 year old book by David Baldacci who is an author of murder mysteries, suspense, thrillers.  This book was a novel but based on the life of his mother and great grandmother.  The setting was 1940’s in Virginia.  There was a forward and an afterward written by the author dealing with family.  You know what a sap I am about family so I thought I’d share some of the things he said 22+ years ago.  I liked what he has to say and you might too. I just happened to read this book during Thanksgiving week when our family was together - literally or via text or FaceTime, Facebook, etc.

David Baldaai from the introduction to his book, WISH YOU WELL (2000)( Inspired by the life of his mother and grandmother)

 “When we reach adulthood most of us assume we know everything there is to know about our parents and other family members. However if you take time to ask questions and actually listen to the answers you may find there is still much to learn about people so close to us …..Oral histories are a dying art which is sad indeed for they show appropriate respect for the lives and experiences of those who have come before. And just as important they document those remembrances, but for once those lives are over that personal knowledge is lost forever. 

Unfortunately we live in a time now where everyone seems to be looking ahead as though we deem nothing in the past is worthy of our attention. 

The future is always fresh and exciting and it has a pull on us that times past can never muster. Yet it may well be that our greatest wealth as human beings can be discovered by simply looking behind us.”

 

 

“I will never forget that the passing down of memories is the strongest link in the gossamer bridge that binds us as people. “. … what we hold in our hearts is truly the fiercest component of our humanity “

 

“I want my children to know where they came from - what their ancestors were like- how they struggled persevered - the mistakes they made- the failures they suffered - the triumphs they achieved - isn’t that how one’s values and character are built.” 

 

Judy, Glennda and I with our families recorded our Dad’s oral history when we were all on a camping trip many years ago.  Aunt Margaret made a special trip to Idaho to record her brother Grant’s oral history (Grant, Margaret and my Dad were siblings).  I wrote my personal history and in addition, many of my remembrances are included in these weekly letters.  I’ve read a few of David Baldacci’s books, but this one was totally different and got me to thinking about my parents, grandparents and ancestors again.

 

We all will have Amy in our prayers for a fast recovery and hope everyone else doesn’t get it. 

 

I love you all.  Be well this week

 

Love Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Sister and Aunt Suzanne

 

 

 

Thanksgiving, Emery's Birthday and prayers for her speedy recovery

 

11/20/22 – Dear Family:

This week we will celebrate Emery’s Birthday and Thanksgiving.  Being with family is our "best thing".  I’m excited to be with family in Spokane this week. I remember as a girl having Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners with just our little family.  When we moved to Portland we sometimes had it with the Carl and Lucille Simmers family. As we 3 girls raised our families we almost always had Thanksgiving together; lots of adults, lots of kids, lots of food, lots of dishes, LOTS OF FUN!

I understand from Riley that Emery is still in the hospital and might be for a while yet. Our special thoughts and prayers go out to Jake, Kenlee, Emery and Addie this week because of Emery’s illness.  Life is delicate and can take a turn for the worse at any time.  I appreciate Kenlee keeping us all up to date.  I can’t help but remember the emotion and fear and prayers that I uttered when my little boys had health/surgery problems as little tykes.  I remember feeling that Nothing in the World mattered but my little boy. Everything else was meaningless.  I even remember picking a pink camellia off our bushes to take to the hospital for Brian, even though he was only 5 weeks old.  I remember not wanting to leave the hospital because I knew that Brad needed me even though he was only 6 weeks old.  I’m sure that all these emotions have filled Kenlee and Jake this week.  Faith in our Heavenly Father and that he loves us and supports us sometimes is all we have in our quiet moments when it is just you and your little girl.  "Heavenly Father bless Emery to get well very soon."

I’ve been think lately about why some people end up as adults being kind, considerate, generous, compassionate, polite and just generally a good person….and why some people end up as adults being selfish, cruel, and maybe even a criminal.  The only history I have to evaluate personally is my own. I don’t know the how a criminal or a selfish person was raised, but I can kind of guess.

Our father was raised on a farm.  Back then one of the reasons folks had kids was for the help they could offer to provide for the family.  The majority of the nation lived on farms in 1919.  They raised their own food, meat, eggs, milk, vegetables, and fruit. Selling eggs was how they bought flour, medicine, etc.  It took lots of work to do that.  In turn, our Dad insisted that his children would learn how to work.  Judy and I had the farm experience, me more than her, because I was older.  We all were taught to be respectful of our elders, not to talk back, to be obedient and to work hard.  Mom wasn’t raised on a farm, but by marrying a farm boy and living on farms, she learned quickly to work just as hard.  We didn’t have the latest anything.  We had one dress to wear for church and we had very few school clothes – girls couldn’t wear pants or jeans to school back then. If I didn’t wear out my clothes by the time I outgrew them, they were handed down to my sisters. Dad had been a barber in the Army so he cut our hair (unless mom beat him to it, because Dad would cut it too short.) Dad had unfortunate schooling experiences and might have been dyslexic, but mom reminded us regularly that she was the salutatorian of her high school, that she got straight A’s and we were expected to do the same. We were taught to be honest.  If we tried to lie, we only did it once.  If we weren’t busy working at something on the farm or in the house, we were told “Find something to do. Something needs to be done.” 

Dad and Mom have been gone a long time, but I wish I had thanked them for the way we were raised. 

Judy, Glennda and I decided that we had some kind of “performance” complex.  We thought we had to be productive all the time. We were also taught that “Anything worth doing is work doing well.”  So no haphazard sloppy work was accepted.  As a result we 3 three girls decided that we turned out really pretty good.  I’m grateful that my parents loved us, provided for us (even though we didn’t have much), fed us, clothed, us and taught us to be good productive members of society.  I need to also give credit to the fact that we were raised in the church.  Those weekly teachings about the Golden Rule, Jesus, being kind, serving others, contributing to the ward by taking callings – all were GOOD THINGS.

I feel sorry for those who were raised without love, rules, examples, teachings of work ethic, examples of honesty and faith. I think that those who are selfish, unkind, cruel have been cheated in life.  I do know that we are responsible for ourselves and that we can always change for the better.  I guess God will sort it all out.  I’ve often thought, that even though people want to DO THEIR OWN THING, that the way us Short kids were raised was a GOOD WAY.  Thank you Mom and Dad…

I will give extra hugs to my family this week.  I miss having family around like in the old days.  You are all the best.

 

FROM ELDER SCHNELL (Thanks Sheri for sending these along)

Time is flying like crazy, it feels like I just sent my Last email maybe two day ago. Things are moving along smoothly, I’m getting closer with my maker and I am excited to see where this path takes me over the next two years. My two companions and I are getting along just fine, I am not the biggest fan of my trainers idea: living the law of consecration, or rather, 'you pay for my bus tickets and I'll eat a little bit of all your food'. I'm kidding. Maybe. (Mission president, if you see this, that was a Joke.)

 

It’s a bit tricky to get used to sharing everything including food or money, right after being practically territorial over your belongings in college, plus the fact that we are very very poor. We all live on 66 bucks USD for 2 weeks, for all of our food, and bus tickets. we have to take a bus everywhere, I'm on one right now. From the north border to the South border of our area, along the coast, it's a 5 hour walk. We are not reimbursed for bus tickets. We took a bus to San Antonio, a neighboring city this morning to pull money out, because that is the nearest ATM and there wasn’t anything in our accounts, so where hoping tomorrow Will be different. We are required to travel to other Cities for meetings and it is draining our wallets because of the cost of travel. Other than that, all is well, it's a blessing to be here in this area, everyone says it's unlike anywhere they’ve ever served, just about everyone is willing to listen. And in regards to my Spanish, Estoy mejorando, no hablo o entiendo mucho, pero lo intento, siempre. Estoy aprendiendo muchos palabras chilenas, estoy escribiendolas en un libro para estudiar personal. Enseñando el evangelio en Español muy difícil, pero el espíritu santo me ayuda.

 

Id like to get emails back from ya’ll if you’ve got a minute, love hearing about how things are back home :) I really miss music. Pero, todo bien. Las escrituras son mi gozo ahora. Everybody email me pictures of you guys, I don't have any, I don't wanna go 2 years without seeing all your faces :) I'll send ya’ll some pictures in this email.

I love you all! Con mucho amor

 Well family, have a wonderful week and wonderful Thanksgiving.  I have so much love in my heart for each of you.  It almost brings tears when I realize how fortunate I am to have you all in my life and in my memories.

Love Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Sister and Aunt Suzanne

 PS Carter's Email address is in the To: in the email

Elder Carter Schnell and other news

 

November 13, 2022

Dear Family:

 

We have a couple weeks until Emery (22nd) and Sheri’s (25^th) birthdays.  I honestly can’t believe that McKay is 2 years old already; Cole is 6 months old.  Amy and Mike just shared some photos of Claire.  But times flies.

 I can remember the old days when Brad and Brian were on missions and the only phone calls that were allowed were on Christmas and Mother’s Day if they could manage it. Long distance charges are now a thing of the past.  Now things have changed and they can call home once a week and use email.  That would have been such a blessing.  I remember when Chernobyl (nuclear power plant in Russia) exploded and Brad was serving his mission in Finland – he was so close that I was sick with worry. Now Carter can call and talk to his folks and exchange emails.  This is his email address: carter.schnell@missionary.org.  I’ve added this new email address to the weekly letter list so that he can read up on us and respond if he wants to.  What a wonderful change for our missionaries and their families.

 

Just in case you haven't seen Elder Schnell (Carter) for a while.  He was leaving for the Merico MTC in this photo,

From Elder Carter Schnell:

I’ve officially been living here in Chile for a week now. After a week, I'm starting to see myself improve a bit in the language. I've been assigned to the Cartagena area and its beautiful here. It's right on the coast. You can see the curvature of the earth on the ocean from the gate of your house. Most of the mission area is pretty flat, but Cartagena is just about the only place that is very much not so. It's built on huge hills, you're either lunging up hill, or skidding downhill, there is no in-between, I'll have thighs as big as tree trunks by the time I'm come home. On day three, I was able to get a baptismal date. There was a member that the previous elder stopped teaching and I just picked up where he left off. One could call my efforts the third day. ;) sorry for all of the genesis quotes you'll be reading in these, I'm currently reading through the Bible as part of my personal study. The people here are usually really easy to talk to, I’ve been able to make some connections on the street, even with the little Chilean Spanish that I understand. In English, Try cutting out all the 'S's and just adding words that don’t exist and you'll see what I mean :)  it's kind of alarming how dangerous it is here, not because of the gangs or anything, but because of the dogs. There are packs of stray dogs that roam around and like half of them want to kill you. All you have to do is look at then as you pretend to pick up a rock and hold it above your head and they'll back off. If you're anything like me, you'll actually pick up the rocks. I don't like the idea of not having a rock in my hand if it comes down to having to swing and throw it. No Bueno. The exchange rate here is about 1000 to 1, so a bus ticket is about 700 bucks, or 70 cents. kinda nice With it being so easy to exchange, but it is a bit alarming to see that $66,000 has taken out of my bank account every time I withdrawal at an ATM for bi weekly funds. Im sorry, but I don't have much time, but all is well here, I love it here, my companion is great, i will write more next week, I love you all!

 

Con mucho amor- - Elder. Schnell  (I remember enough of my two years of high school Spanish to know that it means “WITH MUCH LOVE”

 

President Hinckley (who was heavily involved in the day to day teaching tools that missionaries used from the early days when he served up until he passed away) said, regarding D & C 42:5-7; Shining through all missionary service is the reassuring faith that the work is true and that the service being given is given unto God.  Missionaries serve with faith in their hearts.  It is a phenomenon of great power that quietly whispers, “This cause is true, and to you there is an obligation to serve regardless of the cost.” 

 

Update with me; I had a gig on Friday.  It was for Veteran’s Day.  We played our military medley with the theme songs from Marines, Navy, Army and Air Force.  We were informed by a nice lady that there is now a Space Force and we should get their theme song.  It was lovely actually.  The boy and girl scouts from two difference packs? Came and did an honor guard with flags, etc.  Then Brad Davis played taps.  His rendition of taps was so beautiful it brought tears to the eyes of many, including me.

However, we had to play with two subs! Uggg!!!! Brad and I were so stressed out by the time it was over that it was a huge relief.  One played too loud all through and the other was totally out of tune all through the hour.  To top it off, I played an acoustic piano.  Even though Brad mic’d it, I tend to pound the piano because I can’t hear it well (even with my hearing aids in).  By the time I was finished my right wrist ached.  Then I picked up my adjustable piano bench and tweaked my right wrist and and a nerve in my wrist got angry.  Now I’m wearing a “carpal tunnel” wrist brace.  I hope I’m better by next Friday because we have another gig at Terwilliger Plaza. 

 

Jay and Alena came and spent the night Friday.  It is so wonderful when they come to visit.  Alena and I have the same sense of humor about many things and we tend to laugh until our sides hurt.  Jay and Juno just sit and watch the fun.  They are wonderful company and I always miss them when they leave.

 

Amy and Mike have come to my rescue again!  My dryer was causing me worry.  It took a long time for anything to dry and the lint was wet in the lint trap.  Moisture was around the door.  Not good!!  I bought a “dryer vent cleaning tool” and they brought their shop vac and they cleaned out a wet mess.  Moral of the story;  Buy a vent cleaning tool and use it once a year. 

 

For the past few weeks I’ve been taking one of my “visiting teaching sisters” (ministering now), to physical therapy twice a week.  She is 89.  She used to live in Vale, OR also.  Our family lived there from 1952 until 1956 or 57.  That period of time is where all my “farm” stories originate.  Judy and I used to play on the haystacks; we gathered eggs; we helped mom with canning fruit and tomatoes; we helped dad with the milking as much as we could.  Judy was assigned to stir the “formula” that the calves drank after being weaned from mama’s milk.  We used to watch the calves drink from buckets with a nipple at the bottom outside of the bucket.  Fun memories!  Anyway Norma and I talk about Vale and Nyssa Oregon.  Our family spent lots of time in Nyssa at Stake Conference in those years.

 

It is interesting that while you are living during a period of time in your life, you don’t realize how much that period of time will mean to you in later years in your memories.  I guess that’s why we are encouraged to journal.  I’m not good at it day to day, but hopefully these weekly letters count for something.

 

Enjoy each day, each period of time, each phase of your life.  I had a bishop one time who conseled “Don’t wish away your best years” saying,  “I can’t wait until the baby is out of diapers, or I can’t wait until the kids are all in school.”  It was great advice and I changed my thinking immediately. 

 

Have a wonderful week.  Thanksgiving is approaching and I’m excited to go with Amy and Mike to Brad and Sheri’s home for the holiday.  Yippee!

Love Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Sister and Aunt Suzanne

Vote

 

November 6, 2022

Dear Family:

Just an ordinary week….Nothing exciting or noteworthy to report except that the Houston Astros won the World Series yesterday.

Remember to vote this week.

Harry Emerson Fosdick: “Democracy is based upon the conviction that there are extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people.”

I get frustrated listening to the news, so I rarely watch it.  However the political commercials have been shoved down our throats lately.  Besides being irritating, they remind us to vote.

In Oregon, we should have already voted and sent in our ballots.

Have a wonderful week. Just remember that I love you.

 

Love Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Sister and Aunt Suzanne

Carmelcorn, Rotisserie Turkey, Krispie Candy/Scotch-a-roos & friendships and weekly letter

 

October 30, 2022

Hello dear family:

It’s been a nice week because:

·        I was able to joke with Brad about his birthday and photos from his childhood, (Brad took the kidding in stride.)

·         FaceTime with Brian/Megan/Amy/Mike/Hayden last Sunday, Amy and Brian entertained me while they remembered days of yore when we all went tomato harvesting and made homemade spaghetti sauce and lots more fun memories. 

·        Amy/Mike/Conner and I had hamburgers with my huge beefsteak tomato for dinner Friday night.  I had been pestering Amy for a couple weeks about my huge beefsteak tomato that was growing, ripening, and ready to eat.  It was so huge (as big as my hand) that I couldn’t possibly eat it myself so I took burger patties, buns, tomato and salald Friday night over to their house for dinner so Mike could BBQ the burgers. 

It’s always nice to be with family.

Over the years I have noticed that it is hard to maintain friendships without a lot of effort.  It is easy if they are in the same ward with you and you see them frequently.  But if the friendships are formed outside of church, or if they move away, or if you get busy raising children…..it becomes “out of sight-out of mind.”  I’ve noticed that Amy puts lots of energy and thought and action into nurturing her friendships.  Many of you do as well, but because I see her and she lives here, it’s easier to notice.  So in an effort to make Carter (while he’s on his mission)  “In our sight & In our mind” Brad and Sheri have given permission for me to share their first letter from Carter (Elder Schnell).  He is currently in the Mexico MTC. Note:  they are having trouble getting permission to enter Chile.

Hey everybody! It's Elder Schnell. I've just about finished the MTC here in Mexico city. I am supposed to ship out this monday, but there seems to be some sort of complication with getting into Chile. We were all told that Chile now has a new government and they're not really letting anyone in, and that we're all going to be reassigned, could be temporary, could be permanent, they don't tell us much. I will keep you all posted on where they send me, whether it be santiago or wherever else. 

 

My Spanish has generally improved but I feel like I am plateauing a bit. I took Spanish all throughout highschool, and for some reason nobody ever mentioned that tenses were a thing in spanish. If you'd like to give yourself a headache, look into subjunctive or preterite, or any of the trillion ways to conjugate a Spanish verb, and throw in random stem changes and irregular verbs, and sometimes they just completely change the word: hence the plateau. I can usually hold my own by now, i place around 40% fluency on the tests they give us, but when somebody starts asking me questions about past events or possible future actions and a million other circumstances, all i can do is just smile and give them a thumbs up and say yes hoping that it was a question. :) 

 

There's not a whole lot else that goes on around here, it's just sleep, eat, spanish, eat, exercise, spanish, eat, spanish, sleep. The schedule here is so tight you couldn't fit a dollar bill in between the gaps. We are told to be 15 minutes early to every class, meeting or project, even though we are only given 5 between each event. keeps us busy for sure. The food here is well... interesting. If you ever find yourself down here, don't eat the red chicken :) On the first day my companion and I were chosen to be the zone leaders, so that's been an experience for sure. We've currently got 6 districts under our wing and we've welcomed all of them individually with impromptu talks at any given moment during the meetings, per the branch presidents request.

 

Overall, things have been smooth sailing, as smooth as they can be when my companion feels entitled to have his hands on the rudder at all times. Our relationship is a work in progress, a very... long process. I'm trying my best. 

 

I hope all is well.  con mucho amor :) -Elder Schnell

 

Friendships:  (I find enjoyment from other people’s thoughts and quotes)

"Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you; spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life."  Amy Poehler

"I get by with a little help from my friends."  The Beatles

"Close friends are truly life’s treasures. Sometimes they know us better than we know ourselves."  Vincent Van Gogh

"We were together. I forget the rest."  Walt Whitman

This last one reminds me of Judy.  Truly she was my best friend.  At my age it’s hard to find a new best friend. Thankfully I have Glennda who has always been there as well.

 I am including a couple more recipes prior to the holidays.  The Rotisserie Turkey was a huge success.  I only did it once; when I lived in Arizona, we had a lovely backyard with a BBQ built into an outdoor kitchen island near the pool.  Amy, Tanner and Conner came to visit for Thanksgiving and I thought I’d give it a try.  It was fabulous. (I had to take photos of my pdf file - sorry)

 I’m also including Krispie Candy or Scotch-a-roos. 

  This is always a holiday treat.   ( I can't find a way to include a pdf file.)

In addition; I saved a recipe card Brian brought home from Primary for years because it was in Brian’s handwriting.  Finally I typed it up so I could share.

Carmel Popcorn (written to edit Brian’s version from 1978 in a Primary class)  IT IS REALLY GOOD!

Melt one cube butter

Add two cups brown sugar

Add ½ C Karo syrup

Bring all to good boil

Add:  ¼ t cream tartar and ½ t baking soda

Stir and pour all over popcorn 

Some of you may remember my Aunt Margaret and her husband Uncle Bill.  She passed away a few years ago.  Uncle Bill passed away yesterday morning. Now they can be together.

I'm doing great.  I just finished Little Jake's baby quilt (I'll be sending it off soon) and I'm working on another one that I've made before, but I love it.  So I'm make it again.

I love you all. Have a great week.

Love Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Sister and Aunt Suzanne

Monkey Bread and Homemade Caramel Recipe and my great great grandfather Solomon Campbell

 

October 23, 2022

Dear Family:

Well the rain finally arrived along with cool weather.  50’s for the highs and 40/50’s for the lows.  So it’s time to put another quilt on the bed and get out the sweat shirts and warm clothing.

I enjoyed talking to Brad (his birthday was yesterday) yesterday.  I had unearthed his 1 year, 2 year and 18^th year old birthday photos.  We had a good time reminiscing and laughing.  Tomorrow is Glennda’s birthday.  She and Scott are in Tennessee for a very special occasion.  Not only was it Damon (10years) birthday (this is Scott and Glennda’s grandson and Michael and Branigun’s oldest), but his dad Michael Field was ordained a high priest and made bishop of their ward today.  I can’t ever forget the time that Amy and I took care of Mikey when he was brand new because Glennda had to stay in the hospital for about a week or so with complications after Mike was born. Congratulations dear family.

I also got to FaceTime with Riley and Cole last night and I was absolutely thrilled.  I hope those FT sessions continue.  Haley and Tanner also shared some photos with me of Claire.  I love the photos that Kenlee, Haley, Riley and Laura share  on FB.  It is hard being away from our family that are strewn all over the western half of our US.  I really miss the family get-togethers.  I am looking forward to Thanksgiving at Brad and Sheri’s house, along with Mike, Amy, Taylor, Kelsy, Cooper, McKay, Riley, Corbin and Cole.  Won’t that be fun.

I don’t have much to talk about today, but I’m going to share 2 more Holiday Recipes with you.  I will not only put them in the blog, but I’ll attach them to the email so it won’t be so hard to download for yourself.

 

Monkey Bread (rolls in a bundt pan – this recipe makes enough for 2 bundt pans)

 

2 C lukewarm water

Add 1/2 C sugar

Dissolve 1 T yeast (or 1 pkg) in sugar water

(sugar will cool the water off, so I use water just a little warmer than lukewarm then add the sugar, then add the yeast)

 

Beat 2 eggs and add to above mixture.

1.5  t.  salt.

Sift in 3 Cups flour.

Add 4 T cooled melted shortening (don’t use oil), melt the shortening and then let it cool.

Add about 4   more Cups flour

Knead dough mixture, stirring and kneading until Flour is absorbed. 

1.     Put damp cloth over and let raise 1 hour or until doubled in bulk.

2.     Punch down and make into rolls (method below) and freeze one and bake one or freeze both.

3.     Melt 1 cube (I sometimes cut it to 3/4 cube) and put in bundt pan

4.     Roll out 1/2 of the dough and cut w/ 2 inch round cookie cutter.  Put one layer of rolls standing up in pan.

5.     (this can be confusing – but I drown each 2” cut dough in butter and overlap the rolls and when they raise, they all stand up

6.     Put other half in another bundt pan using another cube of butter.

At this point I cover each with foil and freeze.  If my dinner is at 5 or so, I take out the rolls and sit them on the counter at 8-9 am.  Then they raise during the day

I bake them at 400 degrees for about 15-20 minutes until they are golden brown on the top. Loosen around edges and place a plate on the top and turn over.

 

 

If you want to each them that day, let raise for 1-2 hours before baking at 400degrees until brown, about 15 - 20 min. (I do bake at 400 degrees)

 

If you want to eat the rolls the next day, After #1, punch down then  place in the refrigerator and bake the next day.

 

Love Grandma Suzanne

 

HOME MADE CARAMELS   -   Easy but follow directions exactly.

 

2 cups cream                                                                                                1 teaspoon vanilla (add at end)

2 cups sugar

1 ½ cup Light Karo syrup

1 Cup butter

 

In cast iron (preferably) or other heavy 6 quart pan, add the above ingredients (except vanilla).  Heat over medium heat to hard ball stage (232 degrees).  STIR CONSTANTLY FROM BEGINNING TO END TO PREVENT SKORTCHING. I USE A WOODEN SPOON TO STIR.  SKORTCHING MAKES UGLY CARAMELS.   I don’t use a thermometer.  Test frequently in water once it starts turning golden.  Your test dropped into cold water will hold shape and sounds “click” when dropped on the counter.  Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 cup nuts if desired.  Put into 9x13 inch buttered pan.

 

I put chopped nuts in the pan before pouring cooked caramel liquid.  If you to use whole nuts.  Add them after you have poured caramel mixture in the pan.

 

When cooled, put out of pan onto cutting board.  Cut with large knife into squares and wrap in waxed paper squares.

 

It takes about 45 minutes beginning to end.

 

Suzanne Short

 

This last week Megan shared a podcast with me that I enjoyed thoroughly.  The young lady who was interviewed shared her views on that it means to be “All In” in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Her ancestors was mentioned and it reminded Megan of some of my feelings about my ancestors.

So I decided that it would be interesting to all of you to know some things about your ancestors.

My great great grandfather Soloman Leonard Campbell joined the church in within a few months of when Brigham Young was baptized.  They lived in Tioga County Pennsylvania.

His number in family search is KWV7-4RV.

(highlighted in green) This is what my cousin Dean Bailey wrote in “The Ira Temple Short Story”.  As you remember last week I mentioned that I spent considerable time with my Aunt Margaret in 2011 and 2012 when she was putting her family history into book form.  Dean took on the task of compiling it.

I took the following from the big book.  I hope you can read the part in green.  Brigham Young met and converted this Campbell Clan shortly after his own baptism and Joseph Smith also visitied them.

I have mentioned many times how I feel a responsibility to my ancestors because of their faith in joining the church, and following the body of saints to Kirkland, Nauvoo and Utah. 

You all have amazing ancestors and a remarkable history in the church.

 

Love Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Sister and Aunt Suzanne