Grandma Smith's One, Two, Three Four White Celebration Cake

Grandma Smith's One, Two, Three, Four White Celebration Cake

A favorite celebration recipe that has been in our family for many years is a delicious from-scratch white cake that's called One, Two, Three, Four Cake. The name comes from the first four ingredients--1 cup, 2 cups, 3 cups, and 4 eggs--easy and beautiful.

Cake:

1 cup butter (2 sticks)

2 cups sugar

3 cups flour

4 eggs

3 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp lemon extract

1 1/2 cups milk

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well between each egg. In another mixing bowl, sift together the dry ingredients. Add the dry ingredients to the butter/sugar mixture alternately with the milk. (One cup of flour mixture and mix in then add 1/2 cup of milk and beat. Do this each time, beating well between additions.) Add the flavorings. Beat on high speed of the electric mixer for 3 minutes. Pour into two greased and floured 9-inch round pans and bake for 35-minutes or until done. Remove from oven and let cool about 5 minutes before removing cakes from pans. (I also sometimes us one 13-inch by 9-inch pan and bake for 45 minutes.)

Icing:

3 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup butter (one stick)

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 Tablespoon milk

12-ounces flaked coconut, separated

Cream the butter and sugar together until well mixed. (I like to melt the butter slightly because it mixes in better. I put it in the microwave for about 25 seconds.) Add the flavorings and milk and mix until creamy. Frost the cake. (When I make the layer cake, I double the frosting recipe.) Sprinkle flaked or shredded coconut on top of the cake.

What a Difference a Day Makes

AnnMarie and family and Shawn and family were watching conference when their lives changed forever during one announcement. How exciting! Dane is the oldest of the three but will still not graduate until June. Kyle will also graduate then. Alyssa is eligible, this month, to go on a mission. Of course, Brigitta is now old enough but does not think that she wants to go. Alyssa will put in her papers right away and is thinking that she will get a call this spring. Kyle said he will likely be ready to leave in August. Then I will have five of you all serving missions at the same time. That should certainly be seen as a great blessing. I will consider it that--a great blessing for our entire family.

The strange thing is that at the temple on Friday, some of the workers were saying that we should all expect a big announcement during conference. I didn't believe them and said, "Oh, sure. Like that's going to happen." So guess who had egg on their face? That's right, I did.

We spent the last three days at Julie's. David came up, with family, and he, Jim and Grandpa went elk hunting. Bree, Julie the grandchildren and I all hung out together. The first day, Thursday, Bree and her three stayed here with me and we played with Megan, Matthew and Rachel because they were on fall break. Yesterday, we came back and went to church here. Eric came down after his church and we had dinner. Everyone then left.

Gramps had some really big pumpkins this year. We also had watermelons. I cannot believe how big they all grew. The corn didn't do quite so well but everything else grew big and produced a lot of crops. The apples are also really well this year. They are big and juicy. YUM!

David and Bree have quit smoking. That is great good news for me. They should be able to save a few dollars now because smoking is not only unhealthy, it is expensive. Now if they would just become spiritual. That will be some years coming and will need a miracle. David told me this weekend that his kids really didn't like going to church with Gramps and I. He didn't want us to force them into going. We will have to see what comes of that. Erin, Donovin and Caydin all went with us yesterday. They said they had a good time. Donovin was the one who said he didn't always want to go but he did sometimes. Part of it, I think, is that he doesn't have friends there but he is going to Scouts in his ward in St. George. That is good.

The big news here is that the church announced Friday afternoon that it is pulling back from its plan to build a new nine-story building on the Missionary Training Center campus in Provo. They did say that the church would need to do something to expand the facilities there but that they would now need to decide what they could do to expand the facility because it badly needed to be enlarged.

What do you think of the new curriculum for Young Men, Young Women and youth Sunday School classes? It sounds exciting to me. It was announced as a shift from stand-and-deliver gospel teaching to gospel-centered conversations between youth and leaders. Training for the new curriculum will be conducted by priesthood leaders, from General Authorities to stake presidents to stake and ward councils. The resources are available online and that makes it possible for parents can keep up on what their children are learning at church. Youth need to be prepared to teach and preach the gospel and, I think, this is an excellent way to do that.

Gramps and I are enjoying the news from our two missionary grandsons. We are proud of you and of the work that you are doing. I keep praying that some young missionaries, like you two, may have an influence on David and Bree so that they can enjoy the peace of the gospel in their lives. At this point, it would be easier to convert Bree than David.

I told Erin yesterday, when she commented that it was easier not to go to church, and wondered if she could still go to Heaven even if she did not go o church that, most likely she would go to Heaven. I am certain that we all receive our reward for living a good life. She said that going to church just made everyone feel guilty because everyone there mostly taught about repentance for sins. We talked about mistakes Vs sins. She really didn't get it. You can understand why. My stand is, that even you live the best life possible, do good things and serve others, why would you not want to have a close relationship with Heavenly Father and with your Savior? Why would you shut yourself off from all that love? Why would you want to stumble through life just doing your best without taking advantage of the times when you could be speaking with your Father in Heaven? I think that I did not really impress her with the idea that Heavenly Father is there for us. She is 12. She is not baptized. She can be influenced by the Holy Ghost but she cannot have the daily gift.

I love my Elders. I think of you and of the work that you prepared yourselves to do all of your lives. That makes me proud and happy. Carry on!

Lots of love, Grammy and Gramps

I learned a new word today!

Transpicuous - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster ... www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transpicuous

Oct 16, 2012

tran·spic·u·ous. adjective \tran(t)s-ˈpi-kyə-wəs\.Definition of TRANSPICUOUS. : clearly seen through or understood

Missing Paintings

Several extremely valuable paintings, once in the possession of Juab High School, are missing.
"Any one who has a knowledge of any of the paintings should write a brief description of them, so it can be established that, at one time, the school owned them," said Mike Morgan, Nephi City Police Chief.
Many letters have now been collected and Morgan has interviewed those who were in administrative positions at the school since the paintings were last remembered as hanging in the hallways of the high school.
When Leonard Trauntvein retired as principal of the high school, the paintings were in place.
Since then, Andy Cindrich, Rick Durban and Rick Robins have served in that position. No one remembers, said Morgan, the paintings being moved to the new high school.
It is unclear when the paintings disappeared, said Morgan.
Many educators remember the paintings hanging on the walls of the school but, since that time, the then high school has become the junior high, he said.
He said that there were yearbook photos taken which showed one or another of the paintings in the background. Those photos provide a sort of timeline. However, no photos were taken of just the paintings.
Morgan began his investigation of the missing paintings more than a year ago, he said.
Missing are: The Fallen Giant, painted by Floyd Breinholt was purchased by Clark "Sam" Newell. It was a painting of a large pine tree that had fallen in the forest.
Two paintings by Paul Salisbury: One was of two Indian horses, a colt and two women and a child and, the second was a red rock scene, both purchased by Newell.
Ghost of Creede, painted by Dean Fausett and purchased by Sam Newell. It was a painting of an old mining town in Creede, Colorado. The heirs of Fausett, several years ago, requested that they be allowed to purchase the painting for many thousands of dollars but, at that time, the board of education refused the request.
Two paintings by Max Blain of Ephraim, Utah. Both paintings were water colors. One was of a fall mountain scene with it's splendor of colors.
A J.T. Harwood painting which was hanging in the counselor's office at the old high school, which is now the Juab County building. It did come to the new high school which is now the junior high. Jim White, retired art teacher, identified the Utah artist.
A mountain scene by Rosco Grover (1952) is still sitting on the floor, in the conference room, at the high school.
A print, Vietnam Reflections, by Lee Teter, was a framed and matted print of the Vietnam Wall in Washington D.C. and showed some ghostly soldier figures, with their hands on the wall, touching the hand of a mourning person.
"That print has been recovered," said Morgan. "It was in the possession of a former teacher of the school. The print was returned in July 2010."
The print, while valued at $400 without the frame, was the least valuable of the missing art work. It could be replaced but none of the paintings, since they were all originals, can be replaced.
There were also paintings donated to the school by Jim White, while he was art teacher at the school.
"We think we have located all of those," said Morgan.
Shirleen Newell, wife of Clark "Sam" Newell, remembered when her husband, acting as Juab High School Principal, purchased the paintings by Brienholt and Salisbury.
"I wrote a letter to Dr. Kirk Wright (then superintendent) telling of the purchase of those paintings," said S. Newell.
In addition to their monetary value, she said, they had a great sentimental value. Her husband thought it important to expose the youth of the community to great art produced by Utah artists.
With the exception of the print by Teter, all of the work was done by Utah-originated artists who became renowned over the years. After death, paintings by well-known artists increase in value.
"I remember when the Fausett painting was purchased," said Leonard Trauntvein, former principal. "My wife, Myrna, and I traveled to Price, Carbon County, and picked it up after being given that assignment by Sam Newell."
The two Max Blain paintings were selected by teachers Jim White and Leonard Trauntvein from paintings at Blain's Ephraim studio.
"After they were framed, I traveled to Ephraim and picked them up," he said.
The Vietnam wall print was purchased for the school by Leonard Trauntvein when he was at a conference in New Orleans.
Connie Lofgren, secretary at the school for many years, said she was saddened by the missing paintings which should have remained in the possession of the school district as a legacy for the community.
"Some school districts keep track of valuable paintings on their inventory lists but that was not done," said Lofgren.
There may be other paintings missing which have not been identified.
"I am not done with the investigation," said Morgan. "It is continuing but I am at the stage where I can release the basic information about the paintings, what we are doing to recover them and how our investigation is proceeding."
The school storage areas and classrooms have been searched. In addition, said Morgan, he has visited the homes and offices of those who were previously employed in administrative positions.
He has reviewed the letters educators and former educators have submitted.
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Ancient Writings

Was Jesus Married? I don’t know the answer. However, whatever He did was the way it should have been done. If we needed to know the answer, we would already know. I hope that someday I overcome all of my faults, and through repentance, will be worthy enough to be where He is. If that ever happens, I will find the answer to that question. Until that hoped for reunion, I will just try to become what I need to become, and be what He wants me to be. However, as I approach my eighty second birthday I realize how short my time left here is. I am not sure there is enough time left for me to get that done. I am a very slow learner. Therefore, when we get to the other side, please come down and visit me from time to time. Lots of love, Gordon The topic that might be of interest: The entire article that discusses the discovery of a new text fragment can be found at the Smithsonian and the Smithsonian Channel will premiere a special documentary about the discovery on September 30 at 8 p.m. ET. Top religion scholar, Karen King, just unveiled the discovery of a 1600-year-old Coptic text fragment that suggests that at least some early followers of Christ believed he was married. Myrna wrote: I am just fascinated with ancient writings. More so because Joseph Smith put up with so much from his critics and the church has put up with so much through the years. It seems to me that more and more ancient texts are uncovered and none of them are well-preserved as were the plates. Therefore, it is a little joy to me to know that Heavenly Father saved the record of the Nephites to teach us in our day and did it so well that they were not destroyed by time. Even some of the ancient metal plates discovered in other places have been ravaged by time. Ours were on gold for a reason. Isn't it a marvel? In addition, Joseph Smith was assisted so that he gave the proper translation to the ancient text every time. That is even more of a testimony builder to me. Translators work and work to come up with what they think are reasonable translations and they make errors. They do not have heavenly assistance and did Joseph. You are 81 and I am 71. I have the same thoughts about time rushing past and it being my time to go home. I have no need to come "down" to visit you. First of all, you will be in the "land of light" and of peace and joy and second of all, I am concerned about where I might be. As long as it is not "outer darkness," I will be happy. Can you imagine a fate worse?

To Michael

In his letter, Ben said he had seen you. I think that is great--two cousins in the MTC at the same time. 

We would like your box number for the MTC if you would share it. It would be really nice to send a card or do something for you. For example, if you will tell us your size, we could get you a couple of T-shirts and have them delivered to you. That might be faster than having your folks do it. In the OLD days, you could just go to the MTC and drop off whatever you wanted delivered at the front desk. :)

On Tuesday, I found out that I have Type 2 diabetes. That has been a difficult idea to accept. I am on a sugar ban for 10 days. I will take a class in just a few days that will help me know how to live for the rest of my life. I will be allowed "good" carbs and will not be allowed "bad" carbs. I can eat all the veggies I want. There are starchy vegetables that turn into sugar and so they are out. What fun. I am 71-years old. You would think I could have made it just a few more years before this, right? ;)

We had a really good couple of days at the temple on Friday and Saturday. We were as busy as could be. That is always wonderful when so many people come to the temple. We had large sessions as well as lots of weddings and sealings of living families. Many times the temple is crowded all day but the sessions are small because all of the people are just coming to view the weddings. A goodly number of them also want to see the spiral staircase which means they have to be guided in small groups and that takes more of us in order to accomodate. I love the temple. I love working there.

We had another missionary homecoming today. It is different here in our ward with our new bishop. He does not assign a topic but tells the returned missionary to speak about their mission, not in an traveloge style, but in a faith-building manner. This missionary did an excellent job of that. He told us how he had learned to listen to the spirit and used several examples.

One of the nice things about serving in the states was that several of his missionary companions and a convert family were able to be there for his homecoming. The family still lives in Texas but the missionary comps are at BYU.

We had an interesting discussion in Sunday School today. Our instructor, Paul Sutorius, is a retired seminary principal. He was telling us that as we read about Moroni in Alma 46 we should remember that we are being told about a covenant people who are making and keeping sacred covenants. I suppose having been to the same class yourself, you also were given the understanding of the direct association of the Joseph of Egypt story when his brothers, who had sold him, rent his coat. Moroni's rent garment is clearly symbolic of Joseph's coat, which was "rent by his brethren into many pieces" (Alma 46:23).

Bro. Sutorius told us that :"The rent coat or garment was an essential part of Moroni's covenant of liberty. Moroni rent his coat and rallied the people; then the people rent their garments 'in token, or as a covenant, that they would not forsake the Lord their God; or, in other words, if they should transgress the commandments of God, or fall into transgression, and be ashamed to take upon them the name of Christ, the Lord should rend them even as they had rent their garments' (Alma 46:21)."

Many of the wars between peoples through the ages have been, and still are today, over "dirt," he said. So it was in the times of Moroni. In order for the Nephites to take care of their families, and keep the covenants which they had made, they needed dirt. They needed a place of their own to grow crops. Even today, the church will not build a temple or a chapel on leased ground. The church must own the ground the building stands on. Just as the Mormon pioneers located in the West, away from the problems of the East, so they could keep their covenants, so did Moroni recognize the need for his people to have a place of freedom where they owned the dirt.

Bro. Sutorius built a huge flag pole in his front yard. He flys the American flag and a BYU pennant. He played football for BYU.

We will continue to pray for you and ask Heavenly Father to bless you and help you to learn the language easily and well. We do love you!

Grammy and Gramps

To Ben

You didn't say whether or not you had much of a chance to talk to Michael or not. Hopefully, you got to say more than "hi" and "bye." I think that is great--two cousins in the MTC at the same time.

It is great to learn that you "did a lot of studying, and have been eagerly trying to complete a task in Preach My Gospel." It sounds like a good use of time and effort. I think I should try that myself.

Tuesday sounds like it was wonderful for you. Thanks for sharing Elder Neil L. Anderson's nine things that he said President Monson would say if he had been there.

On Tuesday, my day was not so great. I found out that I have Type 2 diabetes. That has been a difficult idea to accept. I am on a sugar ban for 10 days. I will take a class in just a few days that will help me know how to live for the rest of my life. I will be allowed "good" carbs and will not be allowed "bad" carbs. I can eat all the veggies I want. There are starchy vegetables that turn into sugar and so they are out. What fun. I am 71-years old. You would think I could have made it just a few more years before this, right? ;)

We had a really good couple of days at the temple on Friday and Saturday. We were as busy as could be. That is always wonderful when so many people come to the temple. We had large sessions as well as lots of weddings and sealings of living families. Many times the temple is crowded all day but the sessions are small because all of the people are just coming to view the weddings. A goodly number of them also want to see the spiral staircase which means they have to be guided in small groups and that takes more of us in order to accomodate. I love the temple. I love working there.

We had another missionary homecoming today. It is different here in our ward with our new bishop. He does not assign a topic but tells the returned missionary to speak about their mission, not in an traveloge style, but in a faith-building manner. This missionary did an excellent job of that. He told us how he had learned to listen to the spirit and used several examples.

One of the nice things about serving in the states was that several of his missionary companions and a convert family were able to be there for his homecoming. The family still lives in Texas but the missionary comps are at BYU.

We had an interesting discussion in Sunday School today. Our instructor, Paul Sutorius, is a retired seminary principal. He was telling us that as we read about Moroni in Alma 46 we should remember that we are being told about a covenant people who are making and keeping sacred covenants. I suppose having been to the same class yourself, you also were given the understanding of the direct association of the Joseph of Egypt story when his brothers, who had sold him, rent his coat. Moroni's rent garment is clearly symbolic of Joseph's coat, which was "rent by his brethren into many pieces" (Alma 46:23).

Bro. Sutorius told us that :"The rent coat or garment was an essential part of Moroni's covenant of liberty. Moroni rent his coat and rallied the people; then the people rent their garments 'in token, or as a covenant, that they would not forsake the Lord their God; or, in other words, if they should transgress the commandments of God, or fall into transgression, and be ashamed to take upon them the name of Christ, the Lord should rend them even as they had rent their garments' (Alma 46:21)."

Many of the wars between peoples through the ages have been, and still are today, over "dirt," he said. So it was in the times of Moroni. In order for the Nephites to take care of their families, and keep the covenants which they had made, they needed dirt. They needed a place of their own to grow crops. Even today, the church will not build a temple or a chapel on leased ground. The church must own the ground the building stands on. Just as the Mormon pioneers located in the West, away from the problems of the East, so they could keep their covenants, so did Moroni recognize the need for his people to have a place of freedom where they owned the dirt.

Bro. Sutorius built a huge flag pole in his front yard. He flys the American flag and a BYU pennant. He played football for BYU.

We will continue to pray for you and ask Heavenly Father to bless you and help you to learn the language easily and well. We do love you!

Grammy and Gramps
   

Type 2 Diabetic

I wondered why I was not feeling well? As it turns out I have Type 2 Diabetes. I thought I was going to beat the gestational diabetes curse but I didn't. My numbers are good enough that I only need to give up most sugars and starches, exercise and lose 20 pounds and then I will be OK (maybe). 

I am at 6.5 (whatever that means). I am signed up for a class to teach me how to eat.

Reed's Tiger Muskie

Gordon Smith wrote: Todd, Reed and I went fishing at Pineview Reservoir.

Reed caught this Tiger Muskie at Pineview Reservoir Friday August 10, 2012.

The fish is thirty six inches long.  Wow!

We had a lot of fun.  Maybe I will catch one next time.

Todd caught one last year.


Myrna wrote: Congratulations to Reed. What a great fish! I'll bet it put up quite a fight.

Our Week

Today we received a new bishopric. It was sad seeing our former bishopric sit on the stand for the last time. They certainly have been excellent leaders and have been such great men to work with the youth. They have reactivated several families and young men. Those young men are now going on missions. We have five missionaries out now but will have three more going soon. I will not be surprised if Bishop Roy Ward becomes the next stake president. Our new bishop is one of the dentists here in town. His brother and he own the Nephi Dental Clinic. His brother is first counselor in the First Ward. 

We have Caydin and Donovin here with us this week. Erin is going to girl's camp with Megan and AnnMarie. Donovin tells us that he is now going to church in St. George. His best friend is LDS and invited him to go to Scouts with him. He also goes to church with his friend when he is home but is now a registered Scout. He is a good boy. He wants to be a missionary and tells us that he will be baptized when he is 18 and doesn't need his parent's permission. He likes going to church with us and has made friends here.

We are certainly happy that you are being blessed with the gift of tongues. Gramps and I are thankful that you are putting in the needed work in order for the Holy Ghoset to bless you so that you can learn so quickly. I always thought that Spanish was more difficult to learn than French. I would give Spanish a try if I had some time but I really don't need it except to know what Hispanic folks who are shopping in Walmart are actually saying to each other. Maybe they are saying: "I hope that woman does not buy the last yellow shirt because it is the one I wanted."

It is goodnight for this old Grammy. I love you and Gramps and I continue to pray for you and for your success.