Letters

Letters by Marjorie Pay Hinckley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I so enjoyed reading this compilation of letters written by this unassuming, delightful lady- the wife of a prophet of God- to her family. Her cheery attitude and her recounting of her day to day life and service was truly inspiring to me. These letters made me want to be a better person. I am grateful to her family for sharing them in this book.
There are many wonderful quotes in this book, but I think this is my favorite from a letter written to her daughter, Kathy: “I have a new project, 1 chapter a day from each of the standard works. I have been on it for four days and am only 3 days behind. Better to have tried and failed than never to have tried.”




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Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Charming. In one word, this book is charming. I loved seeing the world through Major Pettigrew’s very British eyes. I finished the book a few days ago and still catch myself wondering how the Major and Jasmina are doing. It was definitely a character- driven book, but it also had a very meaningful plot and plenty of action to keep me interested. The main theme is prejudice- prejudice and tradition in a fierce battle with acceptance and caring. But there are other sub-themes as well: aging, grief, materialism, father-son discord, etc. These are pretty heavy, but the book is sprinkled with just enough dry, witty humor to keep it light. I expect to see this one made into a movie.



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Daddy's Dresser

This is Daddy's Dresser.  It is a very special place at our house.  It actually was Ken's dresser when he was growing up.  Years ago, we repainted it and he's used it all of our married life.  So that makes it special.  But what makes it even more special is the role it plays in our home.  When anything gets broken, it gets put on Daddy's dresser and very shortly that item gets fixed- good as new.  It's almost magic.  You just set it there.  You don't have to say a word.  And usually that very day you get it back fixed.  One of my sweetest memories is of when Michelle was just a little pig-tailed two-year-old.  Ken was the bishop of our ward at the time.  As I was getting her ready for church one Sunday morning, her little, white patent leather shoe buckle broke.  Without saying a word, she hopped up, went into our bedroom, stood in front of Daddy's dresser, and with all her might, tossed her little broken shoe up there.  Already at age two she had discovered the magic of Daddy's dresser.  I recently tested it, to see if it still works.  I was sorting my jewelry and in the process broke the clasp of my pearl necklace.  I set it on the dresser, not saying a word.  Sure enough, not even an hour later I was presented with a repaired necklace.  Just like magic!

 So, I decided to give it an even harder test: When my brother returned from his mission in Germany some 45 years ago, he brought me a German jewelry box.  I've kept it ever since, but it was broken and badly in need of repair.  It was actually in pieces.  I put the precious box and it's pieces on Daddy's Dresser.  In a few days, I was presented with an almost-like-new German jewelry box.

In a world of harsh reality and hard, cold facts, it is a pleasure to introduce you to the mystery and joy of our magical "Daddy's Dresser!"

5057 Miles!!

As the crow flies, our country, the United States of America is 5057 miles wide - coast to coast.  Today, Ken logged his 5057th mile on his road bike (he actually got his 5064th mile by the time he got home.)  So, it is as if he rode his bike coast to coast. He got his road bike in December, 2009- he has owned it for almost five years. So, he's putting about 1,000 miles per year on that bike!    I think that's pretty awesome!  I thought you should know!

Hinton Sibling Reunion 2015

We had a great time last weekend at the annual Hinton sibling reunion.  There are eight siblings and their spouses and we were all in attendance- meeting at the Dixie State University cabin in Pine Valley.  The theme was family history.  We ate meals like the Hintons used to eat, using many of Mom's recipes.  We learned about ancestors and how to find them for our family tree. Ken's grandma was a professional candy maker.  She had a hard tack candy mill, which Dave and Gerri brought and we made candy just like she used to.  We used her recipe and even her old flavoring oils.

Leslie and Sherrie cooking the candy

Running the candy through the mill.

It comes out in long strips.

The old candy mill.

One of the old oils.

After the candy hardens, you simply beat on the surface to get it to break apart.

The hot syrup is poured on the marble slab.  Greased knives are used to keep the candy moving to cool it evenly.

The candy must be kept moving while waiting to go through the mill.

All of our kids will recognize this fish candy.  Grandpa and Grandma often gave it to us for Christmas, and we even went over and helped make it a couple of times.  

We also played games,

attended meetings . . 

and got all tuckered out.

We attended church together in the historic Pine Valley chapel on Sunday before separating for our homes.  We love the Hinton Sibling gathering each year.                

Jaron's Birthday

 

It is So nice to have family closer now.  We drove down to be with the Prince family and celebrate Jaron's third birthday.  He is such a delightful child and we had such a nice day.

It's hard to believe that it's been three years since this precious little boy was born!

When we took Gabbi to meet her new brother, the first thing she wanted to do was unwrap him and see all of him and count his toes.

Grandpa and Jaron have a special bond.  They love to tussle on the floor. . .

and read stories.

While Grandpa played with Jaron and Brian made the barbecue lunch, Melli made the absolutely adorable Olaf made out of cupcakes.

Jaron came over to watch the proceedings.  He was so excited!

SO excited!!!

Ta Da!  Isn't that cute?

When Gabbi got home from her Primary Program rehearsal, she wanted to photograph the cute cake.

Jaron wanted to eat the "carrot" nose.

Heavy Heavy Hang over thy poor head.

Pin the nose on Olaf.

Heavy heavy hang . . . 

Happy birthday to you, Jaron!  We love you!!!!

To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Some books color your world while you’re reading them. Some, for a few days or even weeks after. But< To Kill a Mockingbird >leaves color that never leaves. It truly changes how you look at the world. I have a handful of books that I like to read every few years- leaving just enough time between readings to forget the details. Just five minutes ago, I finished this book and, as I’m still wiping away the tears, I am already willing myself to forget so I can read it again. And I will forget the details, but I won’t forget the feeling I have when I read this book. It has changed me- yet again.



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Glorious!

Just Take My Heart

Just Take My Heart by Mary Higgins Clark

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This book on CD kept my husband and I entertained on a recent road trip. I’ve now “read” two Mary Higgins Clark mysteries and I think I like them. It’s not Pulitzer Prize literature, but it’s entertainment. I guess I’m the boring sort, because I would have gone with the “predictable, you guessed it, but isn’t it satisfying ?”ending that the reader expects. I’m sure I’ll be reading more of this author.



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I Heard That Song Before

I Heard That Song Before by Mary Higgins Clark

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


What do you call a page-turner that you listen to on CD. Because that’s what this book was. I listened to it on my ipod as I walked and let’s just say my walks were longer than usual! The only Mary Higgins Clark book I’d read previous to this one was “Mount Vernon Love Story” about Martha Washington- not a mystery at all. I guess it was her first book, and after that she wrote mysteries. I really enjoyed that one. I’ve heard about her for years and wanted to try a murder mystery. It was pretty good. It had a few too many “plot thickenings” for me, but it kept me interested. How bad can a book be when the protoganist is named Kay?



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You Never Know

A friend emailed this to me and it touched me deeply and reminded me so much of my busy daughters.  It is for all of the wonderful, busy mamas out there who do SO much good!

Praise Loudly, Correct Quietly

This is another mantra for parents and grandparents.  When giving children positive feedback, do it in front of others.  Let them bask in the joy of being positively recognized.  Ken's parents made a regular habit of this at the dinner table.  His dad would say, "Sister So and So came into the post office today and told me she had seen Kenny helping . . . . "  So Kenny and all of his siblings heard the praise.  It worked wonders.

But when a child needs correction, take them aside.  Do it quietly and privately.  That reduces the embarrassment.  We've all seen parents humiliate their children in front of others.  It's unpleasant for everyone.  A child will never forget that you quietly helped mold and shape them, rather than embarrassing them and the result will probably be that they want to please you.

So there's another idea for a mantra.  For others, click here.

Conference Weekend with the Prince Family

We are so enjoying having the Prince family living closer.  They came up for conference weekend.  We had such a nice time together.  We, of course, enjoyed the conference sessions.  Between sessions, we enjoyed many trips to the park behind our house.

The kids love to dance while Grandma Kay plays the piano.

"I want to tell you a secret," Jaron would say as he threw his little arms around our neck.  "I love you very much!"  Then he'd plant a wet kiss on our cheek.  Ah, the joys of grandparenthood.  

Though Michelle is close to delivering their third child, she lovingly gave me a pedicure, complete with foot soaking and massage.  What a sweetheart!

Thank you, Brian and Michelle for a great weekend!!!

Happy Medley

This makes me, well, happy!

Calico Captive

Calico Captive by Elizabeth George Speare

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Calico Captive is another superb book by one of my favorite authors: Elizabeth George Speare. She, in my opinion, is the queen of historical fiction. Her novels are set in accurate and important historical settings and her protagonists are always young adults that young adult readers (and everyone else) can relate to. Calico Captive is set in New Hampshire, then Montreal in the French and Indian War. It is based on a true account of a family kidnapped by Indians and sold into slavery after a harrowing march through the wilderness. It is exciting and has enough romance to keep you captivated (no pun intended.) I have read every one of Speare’s novels at least twice. I only wish she had written more!



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