The Touch of the Master's Hand

I just finished memorizing this poem!

'Twas battered and scarred,
And the auctioneer thought it
hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin,
but he held it up with a smile.

"What am I bid, good people", he cried,
"Who starts the bidding for me?"
"One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?"
"Two dollars, who makes it three?"
"Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three,"

But, No,
From the room far back a gray bearded man
Came forward and picked up the bow,
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet
As sweet as the angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said "What now am I bid for this old violin?"
As he held it aloft with its' bow.

"One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?"
"Two thousand, Who makes it three?"
"Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Going and gone", said he.

The audience cheered,
But some of them cried,
"We just don't understand."
"What changed its' worth?"
Swift came the reply.
"The Touch of the Masters Hand."

And many a man with life out of tune
All battered with bourbon and gin
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like that old violin

A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on.
He is going once, he is going twice,
He is going and almost gone.

But the Master comes,
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the Touch of the Masters' Hand.

Myra Brooks Welch

Valentine

I woke up on Valentine;s Day and I discovered that I had been heart attacked!

I saw these Valentine's day cards and i thought they were so cute:

I like Valentine's Day because it's a day set apart to showing how much you love and appreciate the special people in your life. It's not enough to just say "I love you" because actions speak louder than words. That reminds me of the movie Enchanted and one song in particular: 

My theory

I have come to realize that this graph models most experiences that I encounter in life:

There are many good things that I want to achieve or accomplish, which are represented by the 'product' on this graph. Nothing of real value is obtained for free. There has to be an input of energy and work. This energy input is represented by the 'activation energy'. In my life it seems as though the first efforts to accomplish/obtain my goal always require so much more energy and determination. The first step is always the hardest, but as I continue on the path it becomes so much easier. Sometimes I look for a catalyst to lower the activation energy that is required (the easy way out), but in real life catalysts usually don't lead you to the same product as true hard work. There is no substitute for hard work nor for the satisfaction that comes with achieving your goal.

Look at that

I was perusing K-State's Grain Science and Industry website looking for something and I ended up finding myself! I didn't even know I was on there, but it is on a page that describes the current research projects that the grad students are doing. I think that made my day! Click here for the link.

Maple-Glazed Chicken Recipe

This recipe for Maple-Glazed Chicken is delicious!

Ingredients

• 2 pounds skin-on, bone-in chicken breasts, cut into large chunks
• Kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 apples (1 red, 1 green), cored and cut into wedges
• 8 medium shallots, quartered lengthwise
• 1/4 cup fresh sage, torn
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

Directions

Pat the chicken dry and season all over with salt. Heat a large heavy skillet over high heat and add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the chicken skin-side down and cook, undisturbed, until the skin is browned and crisp, about 5 minutes.

Turn the chicken and add the apples, shallots and sage to the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium high and cook until the chicken is browned on the bottom, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and continue to cook the apples and shallots, stirring, until golden, about 2 more minutes.

Meanwhile, make the glaze: Mix the chicken broth, maple syrup, vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Add the mixture to the skillet with the apples and shallots and boil until reduced by about three-quarters, 2 to 3 minutes. Return the chicken to the skillet, turning to coat, until cooked through, about 2 more minutes.

A smile for today

I was reading articles about hydrocolloids and gluten and I guess my mind started to wander...

this made me laugh: 

Favorite Things

I love being able to wake up without an alarm on Saturday morning,  staying in bed under layers of blankets as you hear the wind angrily blowing outside. 

I love reading my scriptures and learning something new every time. 

I love how I feel after I've gone on a run. 

I love the smell of clean, warm laundry. 

I love Sam.