Eggs are a symbol of the new life that returns to nature at Easter Time.
The custom of exchanging eggs began long before Easter was celebrated. It
was
a custom of the Egyptians and the Persians. They exchanged eggs decorated in
Spring colors. They believed Earth hatched from an egg which contributed to
this custom. Early Christians used red colored eggs to symbolize the
Resurrection. In England they began writing messages and dates on their eggs
and exchanging them with friends and loved ones. In the 1800's, candied eggs
were made. They were open on one end and a scene was put inside. They were
used as table centerpieces.
The most famous decorated Easter eggs were those made by the well-known
goldsmith, Peter Carl Faberge. In 1883 the Russian Czar, Alexander,
commissioned Faberge to make a special Easter gift for his wife, the Empress
Marie.
The first Faberge egg was an egg within an egg. It had an outside shell
of platinum and enameled white which opened to reveal a smaller gold egg.
The
smaller egg, in turn, opened to display a golden chicken and a jeweled
replica of the Imperial crown.
This special Faberge egg so delighted the Czarina that the Czar promptly
ordered the Faberge firm to design further eggs to be delivered every
Easter.
In later years Nicholas II, Alexander's son, continued the custom.
Fifty-seven eggs were made in all.
BLUE LODGE AGENDAS
DEER PARK LODGE NO. 134 ... Jerry Gendreau, WM
April 24 ... Third Degree - 6 PM Dinner.
Meeting: 7:30 PM.
- - - - - - - - - -
DIAMOND LODGE NO. 83, Black Diamond ... Joe
Orlando, WM
April 15 ... Garage Sale; 9:00 AM.
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FRANK S. LAND LODGE NO. 313, Des Moines ... Bob
Starowski, WM
April 20 ... Ritual Night; MRC; 7:00 PM.
- - - - - - - - -
NEWPORT LODGE NO. 144 ... L. Ted Shrum, WM
April 20 ... Dinner: 6:00 PM. Stated Meeting;
voting on petition; 7:30 PM.
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RICMOND-HALLER LODGE No. 248 ....
Bill Buterbaugh, WM
April 29 ... Friends Night; Dinner with our
Ladies. Invite a friend and his lady for dinner and a movie.
(If you wish to have
your Blue Lodge Agenda in this section, please let me know!)
GRAND LODGE LADIES ACTIVITIES
Annual Communication, Grand Lodge of Washington
Ocean Shores Convention Center, Ocean Shores
June 8 - 10 (Thursday - Saturday)
WELCOME! It has been my pleasure to plan special activities for the ladies
of this Grand Jurisdiction. All of the Committee Chairmen are finalizing
their plans for your arrival in June at Ocean Shore. Listed below is some
of the information that you will need to assist you in your registration.
We have enjoyed our travels in Washington, visiting with you and
realizing how special each of you are. It is our hope that you will come
and we can gather as one, celebrating Masonry as a real family. See you at
Ocean Shores. - Nancy Jorgensen, Grand Master's Lady
-
Wednesday: Ladies Registration (1:00 - 4:30 PM) ... Convention Center
-
Wednesday: Ladies' Hospitality Room (9:00 AM - 4:30 PM) ... Shilo Inn
-
Thursday: Ladies Registration (8:00 AM - 4:30 PM) ... Convention
Center
-
Thursday: Informal Opening of Grand Lodge (8:15 AM - 9:30 AM) ...
Convention Center
-
Thursday: Ladies Bus Tour to Quinault Lodge for Brunch (9:45 AM - 2:30
PM) ... Leave from Shilo Inn
-
Thursday: Ladies Hospitality Room (8:00 AM - 4:30 PM) ... Shilo Inn
-
Thursday: Fellowship Dinner (7:30 PM) ... Convention Center
-
Friday: Ladies Luncheon (11:00 AM) ... Shilo Inn
-
Friday: Ladies' Hospitality Room (8:00 - 10:30 AM & 2:30 - 4:30 PM) ...
Shilo Inn
-
Friday: Installation (8:00 PM) ... Convention Center
-
Saturday: Ocean Shores Flag Day Parade. The Masonic Float will be part
of the parade, and all Masons are encouraged to walk with the Float.
Gather at 10:30 AM in the Convention Center Parking Lot. Parade to
start at 11:00 AM.
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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - -
Ladies Registration Form
Name _________________________________________________________ Phone #
______________________
Check here if this is your first time attending Grand Lodge
______________________
Number of Tickets:
__________ Registration fee
..........................................................................................
$12.00 _________________
__________ Bus Tour to Quinault Lodge; includes Brunch, Thursday ...........
$20.00 __________________
__________ Ladies Luncheon, Shilo Inn, Friday
.................................................... $20.00
__________________
Deadline to register is May 25th, 2006
Please make check payable to Grand Lodge of Washington
Mail to:
Kay Pursey
3975 NE Hyak Way
Bremerton, WA 98311
Phone: 360-692-2421
Pre Registration is a must to guarantee a place for you at any of the
activities.
(Next issue ... the Mason's information
...)
FLOPPY EARS
by Kathy Whirity
"Mom, can we pleeease have a bunny?" was the determined plea from my
daughters one Easter long ago.
Jaime's friend had just returned from the pet store with the cutest
lop-eared Dwarf bunny I had ever seen. It was so tiny and the ears so
floppy
it was hard to resist.
"Okay," I relented, "but you two have to promise to take care if it."
"We will, we promise," said two hopeful sisters.
Where have I heard that before?
The bunny was chosen and all essential items purchased. For what this
cute little ball of fur cost we could have bought a show dog, but we already
had a dog, so Miss Ella became the new pampered pet in our family. That is,
until the newness wore off.
The goal to try and litter train old floppy ears lasted about two
days. I soon found out how stinky these irresistible button-eyed bunnies
can be.
Cleaning the cage 22 times a day was not enough. I also learned the hard
way never to put the cage near woodwork. They don't just wiggle that
adorable
little bunny nose for nothing. They may be quiet as church mice but they
can chew like a terrier on speed. Our back porch woodwork boasted evenly
spaced gashes from an over zealous Ella with a knack for hardwood
snacking. Good thing I saved a macrome' rope, with clips, that held stuffed
animals. It proved
to come in handy as a cover up for unsightly gnaw marks.
As cute as Bug's cousin was, I soon lost my patience with having to be
a full-time bunny sitter.
I laid down the law. Ok, it was a compromise... If the girls would
agree to let me find the carrot queen a good home I'd let them have one
hamster. They wisely accepted the offer. I honestly thought I'd be winning
this one.
We had Hammie for about a year and it got to be ridiculous trying to
keep track of a renegade rodent who would escape from his cage and hide
under
the kitchen cabinet. After about the fifth dismantling of the kitchen sink
to rescue Hammie dear, we decided that yet another compromise needed to be
made.
That's pretty much how we became a two dog family.
We have had our share of caged critters to care for -- each giving us
a menagerie of memories, some funny, some not. But, to me, the best kind of
pet
of all is one that lies at your feet and lays its head in your lap when it
needs a hug of the human kind.
Man's best friend is the only companion for us these days, unless you
count the angel fish that floats in a bowl atop my daughter's dresser.
This just may be a sign that we're growing into the golden years -- my
hubby, me, and our Golden Retriever -- settling into these pre-twilight
years
with one thought that keeps running through my mind...
It doesn't get any better than this.
** Petwarmers
HOW TO STAY YOUNG
-
Try everything twice. On Madams tombstone (of Whelan's and Madam) she said
she wanted this epitaph: Tried everything twice...loved it both times!
-
Keep only cheerful
friends. The grouches pull you down. (Keep this in mind if you are one of
those grouches.)
-
Keep learning:
Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the
brain get idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop."
And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!
-
Enjoy the simple
things.
-
Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have
a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with HIM/HER.
-
The tears happen: Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with
us our entire life, is ourselves. LIVE while you are alive.
-
Surround yourself with what you love: Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes,
music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
-
Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve
it.
If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
-
Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county, to
a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.
-
Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
-
Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second time.
-
AND
Lost time can never be found!
** Glynis Tucker
LOWRY'S HINTS
HINT 1: Rubbing alcohol is great for wiping down shower
walls. It cleans, disinfects, and dries quickly, not to mention being
cheap!
* * * * * * * * *
HINT 2: Save steel wool pads, including the presoaped
kind in a container in the freezer to prevent them from rusting. You can
use them several times that way.
* * * * * * * * *
HINT 3: To keep summer drinks from getting weakened
and "watered down" from melting ice cubes, freeze some of the
same liquid (ice tea, Kool-aid, etc.) in ice cube trays. Then when you
add the "ice cubes" to your drink, it won't get weakened and "watered
down". Now that they are making the small "bottle-sized" ice cube
trays, you can add the flavored ice cubes to your sports bottles.
* * * * * * * * *
HINT 4: Another use for empty toilet paper rolls and
also paper towel rolls is to fill space in packages you are shipping
out. Saves money too because you don't have to go out and buy
that "peanuts" stuff from the office supply store, and the rolls are
easier to pick up off the floor than all that commercial packing
stuff!
RECIPES
Black-Bottom Banana Cream Pie
Kraft Kitchens
6 T. butter or margarine, divided
25 NILLA Wafers, finely crushed (about 1-1/4 c. crumbs)
2 T. sugar
4 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate
2 large bananas, sliced
1 pkg. (4 serving size) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant
Pudding & Pie Filling
1-3/4 c. cold milk
1 c. thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
MELT 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp.) of the butter; place in medium bowl. Add
wafer crumbs and sugar; mix well. Remove 2 Tbsp. of the crumb mixture; set
aside for later use. Press remaining crumb mixture firmly onto bottom and
up side of 9-inch pie plate; set aside.
MICROWAVE chocolate and remaining 2 Tbsp. butter in microwaveable
bowl on HIGH 1 min. or until butter is melted; stir until chocolate is
completely melted. Drizzle evenly onto bottom of crust; top with bananas.
Set aside.
PREPARE dry pudding mix with 1-3/4 cups cold milk as directed on
package for pie; pour evenly over bananas. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or
up to 24 hours. Top with whipped topping just before serving; sprinkle
with reserved 2 Tbsp. crumb mixture. Store leftover pie in refrigerator.
KRAFT KITCHENS TIPS: Size It Up:
Enjoy a serving of this indulgent pie on occasion. Great
Substitute: Prepare as directed, using COOL WHIP French Vanilla
Whipped Topping.
NUTRITION INFORMATION (per serving): Calories: 340;
Total Fat: 18 g; Saturated fat: 10g; Cholesterol 30 mg; Sodium 310 mg;
Carbohydrate 44 g; Dietary Fiber 2 g; Sugars 32 g
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Creamy Irish Potato Soup
from Campbell's Kitchen
2 tbsp. butter OR margarine
4 green onions, sliced
1 stalk celery, sliced
1 3/4 cups Swanson(R) Chicken Broth (regular, Natural Goodness(TM) or
Certified Organic)
1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
3 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/4" thick (about 1 lb.)
1 1/2 cups milk
Directions: HEAT butter in saucepan. Add onions and celery and cook until
tender. ADD broth, black pepper and potatoes. Heat to a boil. Cover and
cook over low heat 15 min. or until potatoes are tender. PLACE half the
broth mixture and half the milk in blender or food processor. Cover and
blend until smooth. Repeat with remaining broth mixture and remaining milk.
Return to saucepan. Heat through. Serves 5.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Fruity Ham Glaze
"A spicy and sweet glaze to serve with your ham."
1 cup apricot preserves
1 (15.25 ounce) can fruit cocktail
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
DIRECTIONS: Puree in a blender: apricot preserves, fruit cocktail and
Dijon mustard. Pour into a saucepan and add nutmeg. Heat over medium heat
until bubbly. Serves 15.
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Glazed Ham
"A raw ham is slow roasted, then seasoned with a sweet smoky sauce
during the last hour to make a memorable meal with little actual work
involved."
1 (8 pound) bone-in shank ham
4 cups water, or as needed
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons liquid smoke flavoring
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 pinch ground cloves
DIRECTIONS: Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Place ham
in a roasting pan. Pour in water to a 2 inch depth. Cover with a tight
fitting lid. Bake for 6 to 8 hours in the preheated oven (all day or all
night). Remove from the oven, pour off drippings and reserve. Debone ham,
removing any excess fat as well, and return to the roasting pan. Skim fat
from the top of the drippings, and discard. In a small bowl, mix one cup of
the drippings with honey, brown sugar, liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce
and cloves. Pour this over the ham, cover and return to the oven. Remaining
drippings may be discarded or reserved for other uses. Bake for another 30
to 40 minutes in the preheated oven. Let stand for 10 minutes before
serving. Serves: 15.
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Ham with Honey and Brown Sugar Glaze
"A pre-sliced cooked ham is studded with cloves and coated with a tangy
glaze before baking. Great for dinner, and the leftovers make wonderful
sandwiches."
1 (5 pound) fully cooked sliced ham
1/4 cup whole cloves
1 cup pineapple juice
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
2 oranges, juiced
DIRECTIONS: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place the
ham in a roasting pan and dot with cloves. In a saucepan; combine the
pineapple juice, brown sugar, honey and orange juice. Stir and simmer over
medium-low heat until thickened, about 10 minutes. Pour the glaze over the
ham. Bake the ham uncovered for 1 hour in the preheated oven. Serves: 8
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Cilla's Pineapple Glazed Ham Sauce
"This recipe is a glaze sauce to put over baked ham. It has pineapple,
raisins, and brown sugar. My mom made this recipe while I was growing up,
and it is so good!"
3 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/3 cup vinegar
1 (6 ounce) can pineapple juice
1 (1.5 ounce) box raisins
DIRECTIONS: In a medium saucepan, mix together cornstarch and brown sugar.
Stir in soy sauce, vinegar, pineapple juice and raisins. Cook over medium
heat, stirring constantly, for 10 to 15 minutes or until sauce has
thickened. Serves: 4.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Baked Ham
"My family loves ham like this. Sweetly seasoned ham roasted
with moist heat is a delicious way to celebrate special occasions. If using
a pre-cooked ham, follow the directions on the package for baking times."
1 (12 pound) bone-in ham, rump portion
1/2 cup whole cloves
1 cup packed brown sugar
4 cups water, or as needed
DIRECTIONS: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place ham
in a roasting pan, and press whole cloves into the top at 1 to 2 inch
intervals. Pack the top with a layer of brown sugar. Pour enough water into
the bottom of the roasting pan to come to a 1 inch depth. Cover the pan
tightly with aluminum foil or a lid. Bake for 4 1/2 to 5 hours in the
preheated oven (about 22 minutes per pound), or until the internal
temperature of the ham has reached 160 degrees F (72 degrees C). Make sure
the meat thermometer is not touching the bone. Let stand for about 20
minutes before carving. Serves: 16.
HELOISE
-
Painting
Around a Window:
Smear petroleum
jelly on the windowpane. If any paint drips on the glass, it will be a lot
easier to remove. You also can put it on hardware to protect it while you
are painting.
-
Quick
Cheesecake:
Combine one
package of vanilla pudding with an 8-ounce package of soft cream cheese.
Pour into a ready-made graham cracker pie crust and refrigerate. Jazz up
with your favorite canned pie filling
-
Deep-Frying
Hint:
To prevent
grease from spattering all over when you deep fry, drop several white-potato
slices or cubes into the grease while you fry.
-
Dryer Filter
Safety:
Clean the filter
after each load. Give the exhaust ducts a quick check too. Dust and lint
buildup can be a major cause of home fires. Don't forget to check the
outside vent tube to make sure that it isn't clogged with lint.
SOME JOKES
A Texas Highway Patrolman pulled a car over and told the driver that
because he had been wearing his seat belt, he had just won $5,000 in the
statewide safety competition.
"What are you going to do with the money?" asked the Highway Patrolman
.
"Well, I guess I'm going to get a driver's license," he answered.
"Oh, don't listen to him," yelled a woman in the passenger seat. "He's a
smart aleck when he's drunk."
This woke up the guy in the back-seat, who took one look at the cop and
moaned, "I knew we wouldn't get far in a stolen car."
At that moment, there was a knock from the trunk and a voice said, in
Spanish, "Are we over the border yet?"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A woman was at work when she received a phone call that her daughter
was very sick with a fever. She left her work and stopped by the pharmacy
to get some
medication. She got back to her car and found that she had locked her
keys in the car. She didn't know what to do, so she called home and told
the baby sitter what had happened. The baby sitter told her that the fever
was getting worse. She said, "You might find a coat hanger and use that
to open the door."
The woman looked around and found an old rusty coat hanger that had
been left on the ground, possibly by someone else who at some time had
locked their keys in their car. She looked at the hanger and said, "I
don't know how to use this."
She bowed her head and asked God to send her help. Within five
minutes, a beat up old motorcycle pulled up, with a dirty, greasy, bearded
man who was wearing an old biker skull rag on his head. The woman thought,
"This is what you sent to help me?" But, she was desperate, so she was
also very thankful.
The man got off his cycle and asked if he could help. She said, "Yes,
my daughter is very sick. I stopped to get her some medication and I
locked my keys in my car. I must get home to her. Please, can you use
this hanger to unlock my car?"
He said, "Sure." He walked over to the car, and in less than a minute,
the car was opened. She hugged the man and through her tears she said,
"Thank
You So Much! You are a very nice man." The man replied, "Lady, I am not a
nice man. I just got out of prison today. I was in prison for car theft
and have
only been out for about an hour."
The woman hugged the man again and with sobbing tears cried out
loud, "Oh, Thank you God! You even sent me a Professional!"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A lady opened her refrigerator and saw a rabbit sitting on one of the
shelves.
"What are you doing in there?"
she asked.
"This is a Westinghouse, isn't it?", the rabbit replied, to which the lady
replied
: "Yes."
"Well," the rabbit said,
I'm
westing."
Sorry...
I couldn't stop myself.
Have a gweat day!
AND A WORD FROM YOURS TRULY ..
Ah ha! I found my paperwork on
District #20 & 23's Reception of the Grand Master in Sunnyside on April
1st! Surprising what one finds when they either clean off their desk or
their purse! Now if I can read my notes!
Pillar of Progress Award in
Fraternalism was given to the entire District No. 20. The Grand Master
Achievement Award went to Robert L. Johnson. Deputy of the Grand Master in
District No. 20 was VWB Dale Spurlock.
In District No. 23, the Pillars of
Progress Awards were given to Grandview Lodge No. 191 in Family Involvement;
Richland Lodge No. 283 in Community Involvement; Pasco Lodge No. 173 in
Community Involvement; Euclid Lodge No. 125 in Cooperation with Concordant
Bodies; and Kennewick Lodge No. 153 in Community Involvement. The Grand
Master's Achievement Award went to William Willey Dodd, Jr. Deputy of the
Grand Mater in District No. 23 is VWB John Harris. Masters of the different
lodges gave numerous Hiram Awards to deserving brethren. And I have
already mentioned the Intermediate Texan Degree that was bestowed upon Grand
Master Al!
Tonight was the Maundy Thursday
Celebration at the Spokane Valley Scottish Rite. The Remembrance and
Renewal program was excellent and we all had lamb sandwiches and 'wine'.
The grand finale was the play 'Return to the Upper Room', depicting
what happened to the 12 disciples after the 'Last Supper'. Was very
good!
Star hugs
and happy thoughts. AND REMEMBER: Friends are always there to pray for
you, to comfort you, to share your sorrow, and to celebrate your success!
** Connie