Recipe obtained from all recipes.com
Connie's Zucchini 'Crab' Cakes
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes Ready In: 30 Minutes
Servings: 5
"Close your eyes and you'll think you 're eat 'n crab. We love it. Old Bay seasoning and shredded zucchini do the magic."
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups grated zucchini
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup minced onion
1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning TM
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup vegetable oil for frying
Directions:
1. In a large bowl, combine zucchini, egg, and butter or margarine. Stir in seasoned crumbs, minced onion, and seasoning. Mix well.
2. Shape mixture into patties. Dredge in flour.
3. In a medium skillet, heat oil over medium high heat until hot. Fry patties in oil until golden brown on both sides.
*we doubled the recipe which made 12 cakes.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Dad Cooking with Zucchini
Our garden is doing quite well. Our zucchini is coming on strong. So I looked up a few recipes for zucchini and I had dad helped me make zucchini crabcakes and zucchini bread. We first attempted zucchini bread. We had it made and ready to put into the pans. I told him to grease and flour the pans. When he was showing me how much flour he was going to add I said, "that's not flour, that's powdered sugar". So, we then realized that dad had put powdered sugar into zucchini bread instead of flour. In order to try to save the zucchini bread I told him we need to double the recipe omit the sugar and double the flour. Surprisingly enough, it turned out quite delicious. We also made some zucchini crabcakes which turned out delectable. I didn't know dad could cook that well. There is actually no crab in the crabcakes the zucchini substitutes for the crab. I guess you could call it a vegetarian crabcake. They were quite delicious. We are going to have an overabundance of zucchini for the rest of the summer so any of you who like zucchini, feel free to come over and get some.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Family Proclamation
With all of the attacks on the family lately, I have been wanting to post this for a while. I'm sure everyone who reads my blog has already read this multiple times but I think it is worth reading again. Enjoy!
The Family: A Proclamation to the World
We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.
All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.
In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.
The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.
Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.
We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.
This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Family: A Proclamation to the World
We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.
All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.
In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.
The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.
Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.
We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.
This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Miracles Never Cease
Yesterday was a very special day. A miracle in fact. My sister Juliet, her husband Aaron, and their baby Kingston were sealed together for time and all eternity in the Seattle Temple. I am grateful I was able to be in attendance to witness such a miracle. Thank you Juliet and Aaron for choosing the Seattle Temple to be sealed in so that I could attend. It was a beautiful ceremony. Two of the sister missionaries that helped bring Aaron into the church were also able to fly out for the occasion. Lisa had the privilege of being Kingston's escort. He looked so cute in his white outfit. Juliet looked radiant and was so happy. The weather even cooperated and it was a beautiful day. Congratulations Juliet, Aaron, and Kingston!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Ode to Mom and Dad
Today I want to pay homage to my mom and dad. My mom and dad are the hardest workers I know. Amongst everything else they do, they spend hours each day taking care of me. My mom spends about one to one & one half hours every morning getting me ready. And my dad spends about 30 to 45 minutes in the morning getting me ready. At night it's about half that long for them to get me ready for bed. Elder Holland gave a talk about angels in which he mentioned that angels are not always heavenly messengers, they can be people here on earth who are sent to help us. My mom and dad are my angels.
Not only do they work hard taking care of me but they also work hard around the house. They have landscaped the entire yard. My dad is in the process of getting the side yard and front yard put in. He has hauled in countless dump truck's full of fill dirt. I would say at least 40 to 50. And spread it out with his tractor. And now he is getting the topsoil put in. Hopefully it won't take as many loads of topsoil. He has to drive the dump truck to the quarry to get the topsoil. He has been shoveling it, raking it, and compacting it by hand to get it ready for seed. With no help. In blistering hot temperatures. It will sure look nice when it is done. He also keeps the yard and garden watered.
My mom works hard keeping the house in order and pulling all the weeds in the yard. Even though she has not felt well for quite some time.
My mom and dad are both wonderful examples of hard work and dedication. I want them to know how much I appreciate them and love them.
That's my two cents.
Not only do they work hard taking care of me but they also work hard around the house. They have landscaped the entire yard. My dad is in the process of getting the side yard and front yard put in. He has hauled in countless dump truck's full of fill dirt. I would say at least 40 to 50. And spread it out with his tractor. And now he is getting the topsoil put in. Hopefully it won't take as many loads of topsoil. He has to drive the dump truck to the quarry to get the topsoil. He has been shoveling it, raking it, and compacting it by hand to get it ready for seed. With no help. In blistering hot temperatures. It will sure look nice when it is done. He also keeps the yard and garden watered.
My mom works hard keeping the house in order and pulling all the weeds in the yard. Even though she has not felt well for quite some time.
My mom and dad are both wonderful examples of hard work and dedication. I want them to know how much I appreciate them and love them.
That's my two cents.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Michael's Jump Solo
my brother is a very talented musician. Check out his guitar playing skills in this clip.
Michael Performing Billie Jean
Michael's band, Mister Miyagi, played the bite of Seattle on Saturday. Juliet filmed the entire thing on her camcorder. The crowd went wild when they performed Billie Jean. Michael is really good at imitating other people. Here is the clip that Juliet filmed. Enjoy.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Bad Luck
I don't know why, but I seem to have the worst luck. I have been eagerly anticipating making homemade bread for a couple of weeks now. I found a recipe online that I wanted to try. I even ordered gluten and lecithin and a new breadmaker machine. So I got the machine yesterday. And the gluten and lecithin arrived today. So I talked dad into helping me make the bread. Dad went downstairs and got the wheat. We got the grain mill out and read the directions. We've had it for several months now but never used it yet. We followed the directions which said to mill 2 cups of wheat to discard because it may be contaminated with stuff from the manufacturing process. It worked wonderfully. So we went to go mill some more to actually use, and it would not turn on. We followed the directions to a tee. Dad even pushed the reset button to no avail. We even tried different outlets and reset the GFI. We called customer support and all we got was an answering machine. So, my hopes were dashed. No breadmaking today. I have the worst luck.
That's my two cents.
That's my two cents.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Family Home Evening Lesson-Tithing
Our family has a monthly family home evening lesson/dinner every Fast Sunday. My siblings and their families come over and we have a nice family dinner and then a lesson prepared by one of the adults.
This month it was my turn to teach the lesson. I chose tithing as my topic. I thought I would share my lesson outline with you. I put two different lessons together and added a few quotes.
Tithing
Thought:
To those who faithfully and honestly live the law of tithing, the Lord promises an abundance of blessings. Some of these blessings are temporal, just as tithes are temporal. But like the outward physical ordinances of baptism and the sacrament, the commandment to pay tithing requires temporal sacrifice, which ultimately yields great spiritual blessings.
(Robert D. Hales, “Tithing: A Test of Faith with Eternal Blessings,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, 26)
No person knows the principle of tithing until he pays tithing.
—President Harold B. Lee
Scripture:
Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming.
(Doctrine and Covenants 64:23)
Object Lesson:
For this object lesson, you will need ten pieces of candy. Before family home evening, confide with a family member and explain that at some point during the lesson you will give him or her ten candies as a gift but then ask for one back. Tell the person to resist and refuse to give one back.
As your family gathers together, find some reason to give the candy to the particular family member as explained above. When the person refuses to give one candy back, ask your family to silently read 3 Nephi 24:8-12 or Malachi chapter 3:8-10. Have them look for how these verses relate to the experience they just witnessed. Read these verses again, aloud as a family, and ask:
· Why do some people not pay tithing?
· What blessings will the Lord pour out upon a person who pays tithing?
· What are some blessings that are specifically mentioned in verses 11-12 and how can they be applied to our modern situations?
(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter- day Saint Families: The Book of Mormon, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2003], p. 309.)
Story:
“That First Tithing Receipt”
President Spencer W. Kimball
When I was a little boy in Thatcher, Arizona, my father, desiring to teach his children industry, thrift, and tithing, turned over to my sister Alice and me a patch of potatoes which he had planted.
I hoed the weeds and helped to irrigate the potatoes until they were ready to dig. Then Alice and I dug and cleaned and sorted them. We took the larger ones of uniform size and put them in a box and loaded them in my little red wagon. Then, after putting on clean overalls and dress, we pulled the little red wagon with its contents to town.
We sold our merchandise to some of the neighbors, but a kindly sister who operated the hotel was our best customer. She looked them over and bought from us regularly through the season.
After selling our first load we were so happy we could hardly wait to get home to tell our parents of our success.
Father listened to us count our money—a very great amount, it seemed to us. Then father inquired: “That’s capital! Now what will you do with your money?”
We thought of ice cream cones and candy and Christmas presents we could buy. Then in his characteristics and impressive way, our father said: “Now you haven’t forgotten the bishop, have you? The Lord has been kind to us. The earth is his. He sent the moisture and the sunshine and all we did was plow and plant and cultivate and harvest. One-tenth we always give back to the Lord for his work. When you have paid your tithing to the bishop, then you may use the balance as you wish.”
I think I still have in my keepsakes that first tithing receipt.
(Leon R. Hartshorn, Outstanding Stories by General Authorities, vol. 2)
Activities:
Place ten dimes (or other denomination of money) on a table. Ask a family member to use the money you placed on a table, and demonstrate what “tithing” would be on ten dimes. Discuss the following questions:
· What is one tenth of $100? $1,000?
· Do you think it is harder to pay tithing on a little or a lot of money? Why?
· What is tithing used for? (Building churches and temples, and other church owned buildings, maintenance and upkeep on the buildings, missionary work, paying church employees, and stake, ward, and branch budgets.)
· What blessings have come to you from paying your tithing?
(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter- day Saint Families: The Doctrine and Covenants, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2004], p. 226.)
Mark 12:41-44
Tell the story of the Widow’s mite
1. A man once said, “I pay tithing on all my salary after deductions, since I don’t get the money that is taken for taxes.” Is he correct? (Tithing is one-tenth of all our interest or increase, before anything else is taken out. See D&C 119:4.)
2. Another person made this statement: “I don’t know why I should pay tithing. The Church is rich enough, anyway.” (The Church does need everyone’s tithing to build buildings and operate its many programs. But even if it did not need our money, tithing is still a commandment and will bring us many blessings. See Malachi 3:10.)
“I think it is not well known in the Church that payment of tithing has very little to do with money. Tithing has to do with faith.” (A. Theodore Tuttle, in Conference Report, Apr. 1970, p. 86; or Improvement Era, June 1970, p. 80.)
I think this last quote is probably the most important to remember. And that was my lesson.
That's my two cents.
This month it was my turn to teach the lesson. I chose tithing as my topic. I thought I would share my lesson outline with you. I put two different lessons together and added a few quotes.
Tithing
Thought:
To those who faithfully and honestly live the law of tithing, the Lord promises an abundance of blessings. Some of these blessings are temporal, just as tithes are temporal. But like the outward physical ordinances of baptism and the sacrament, the commandment to pay tithing requires temporal sacrifice, which ultimately yields great spiritual blessings.
(Robert D. Hales, “Tithing: A Test of Faith with Eternal Blessings,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, 26)
No person knows the principle of tithing until he pays tithing.
—President Harold B. Lee
Scripture:
Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming.
(Doctrine and Covenants 64:23)
Object Lesson:
For this object lesson, you will need ten pieces of candy. Before family home evening, confide with a family member and explain that at some point during the lesson you will give him or her ten candies as a gift but then ask for one back. Tell the person to resist and refuse to give one back.
As your family gathers together, find some reason to give the candy to the particular family member as explained above. When the person refuses to give one candy back, ask your family to silently read 3 Nephi 24:8-12 or Malachi chapter 3:8-10. Have them look for how these verses relate to the experience they just witnessed. Read these verses again, aloud as a family, and ask:
· Why do some people not pay tithing?
· What blessings will the Lord pour out upon a person who pays tithing?
· What are some blessings that are specifically mentioned in verses 11-12 and how can they be applied to our modern situations?
(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter- day Saint Families: The Book of Mormon, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2003], p. 309.)
Story:
“That First Tithing Receipt”
President Spencer W. Kimball
When I was a little boy in Thatcher, Arizona, my father, desiring to teach his children industry, thrift, and tithing, turned over to my sister Alice and me a patch of potatoes which he had planted.
I hoed the weeds and helped to irrigate the potatoes until they were ready to dig. Then Alice and I dug and cleaned and sorted them. We took the larger ones of uniform size and put them in a box and loaded them in my little red wagon. Then, after putting on clean overalls and dress, we pulled the little red wagon with its contents to town.
We sold our merchandise to some of the neighbors, but a kindly sister who operated the hotel was our best customer. She looked them over and bought from us regularly through the season.
After selling our first load we were so happy we could hardly wait to get home to tell our parents of our success.
Father listened to us count our money—a very great amount, it seemed to us. Then father inquired: “That’s capital! Now what will you do with your money?”
We thought of ice cream cones and candy and Christmas presents we could buy. Then in his characteristics and impressive way, our father said: “Now you haven’t forgotten the bishop, have you? The Lord has been kind to us. The earth is his. He sent the moisture and the sunshine and all we did was plow and plant and cultivate and harvest. One-tenth we always give back to the Lord for his work. When you have paid your tithing to the bishop, then you may use the balance as you wish.”
I think I still have in my keepsakes that first tithing receipt.
(Leon R. Hartshorn, Outstanding Stories by General Authorities, vol. 2)
Activities:
Place ten dimes (or other denomination of money) on a table. Ask a family member to use the money you placed on a table, and demonstrate what “tithing” would be on ten dimes. Discuss the following questions:
· What is one tenth of $100? $1,000?
· Do you think it is harder to pay tithing on a little or a lot of money? Why?
· What is tithing used for? (Building churches and temples, and other church owned buildings, maintenance and upkeep on the buildings, missionary work, paying church employees, and stake, ward, and branch budgets.)
· What blessings have come to you from paying your tithing?
(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter- day Saint Families: The Doctrine and Covenants, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2004], p. 226.)
Mark 12:41-44
Tell the story of the Widow’s mite
1. A man once said, “I pay tithing on all my salary after deductions, since I don’t get the money that is taken for taxes.” Is he correct? (Tithing is one-tenth of all our interest or increase, before anything else is taken out. See D&C 119:4.)
2. Another person made this statement: “I don’t know why I should pay tithing. The Church is rich enough, anyway.” (The Church does need everyone’s tithing to build buildings and operate its many programs. But even if it did not need our money, tithing is still a commandment and will bring us many blessings. See Malachi 3:10.)
“I think it is not well known in the Church that payment of tithing has very little to do with money. Tithing has to do with faith.” (A. Theodore Tuttle, in Conference Report, Apr. 1970, p. 86; or Improvement Era, June 1970, p. 80.)
I think this last quote is probably the most important to remember. And that was my lesson.
That's my two cents.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Truth and Honesty
If you are out to describe the truth, leave elegance to the tailor. -- Albert Einstein
I like this quote by Albert Einstein because I've always been quite blunt. I have been called brutally honest. I take that as a compliment. I don't believe in mincing words. I suppose some people take offense to that but that's who I am. I don't sugarcoat things and I don't like people to sugarcoat things for me either. I do believe in truth and honesty and I've never been one to care much about offending other people by being honest and truthful. If you can't take the truth then I guess that is your problem and not mine. That's the way I see it. Call me brutally honest and I will thank you for it.
That's my two cents.
I like this quote by Albert Einstein because I've always been quite blunt. I have been called brutally honest. I take that as a compliment. I don't believe in mincing words. I suppose some people take offense to that but that's who I am. I don't sugarcoat things and I don't like people to sugarcoat things for me either. I do believe in truth and honesty and I've never been one to care much about offending other people by being honest and truthful. If you can't take the truth then I guess that is your problem and not mine. That's the way I see it. Call me brutally honest and I will thank you for it.
That's my two cents.
Monday, July 6, 2009
My Two Brothers
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We had a nice visit with my plastic brother Jason on Friday and Saturday. It was just like the old days at 192. We even had a sold-out concert on Saturday evening. It was the Stringed Beets only stop on their 2009 world tour, and it happened to be in Graham, Washington. It was sure nice to see old Joaquin Valdez again. I don't think I've laughed so hard since the last time Jason was here. When Michael and Jason get-together it is nonstop laughter. They are hilarious. I thoroughly enjoyed the concert with all of the inside jokes. I especially liked the Jackson tribute with the talk of Jermaine and Tito across the tracks style. We heard some new songs that are going on the new album if they ever get it done. The new songs were well written and we all thoroughly enjoyed them. So let's hope that my plastic brother can make it back before two years goes by to get that album done! Thank you for a most enjoyable and entertaining Independence Day Michael and Jason. Come back soon Cov Cov!
That's my two cents.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
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