English - Spanish Battle site 1658

This is the Rio Nuevo Battle Site Historical Park - near Ocho Rios. We went there on Monday, Feb. 21st - The English beat the Spanish and took over Jamaica because of this battle! There were a few artifacts in the small museum that were interesting. The Spanish fort consisted of many young Mexican boys - some who never held a gun before. The Spanish fled to Cuba and the English developed the island.

My Dad's Mission Companion

Hello world,
On Sunday, February 20th, we had the Caribbean Area Auditor from the Dominican Republic come to Ocho Rios - an Elder and Sister Snow, from Roosevelt, Utah. His father Alva Snow, was one of my Dad's, Glenn Smith - mission companions in the Eastern States Mission, 1941-43. What a small world! By the way, the Branch passed the audit with flying colors!! Elder Snow was an accountant and served a Spanish speaking mission when young - Sister Snow is struggling with Spanish - but has mastered it enough to say prayers! They travel to the whole area and have to change what side of the road they drive on, their currency, etc. Their kids told them to enjoy because at home (Roosevelt) they were shoveling 8 inches of snow!!
Elder Snow remembered Gramps (my Dad) coming to Roosevelt to deer hunt with his dad. He even remember that famous Deseret News picture of the 5 hunters, 5 big bucks, opening day!! Uncle Harold was one of the five, Dad, Gene Gibb, Alva Snow and I don't know the other one - I told Elder Snow that I have a copy of that picture and he wants one - in a year and a half when I get home. They just began their mission in Janaury but are out for 18 months so we should be home around the same time....The Church is such a 'small world' - go halfway around the globe and run into a person who knows your family!! Always mind what you are doing - ala Granny!

More Game Night

Here is a serious Dominoes game - the whole room of games - and a good Scrabble Game by two of my Seminary students... it was a fun evening - especially the donuts!

Branch Game Night

We had a fun Friday Night Activity - Branch game night! The Elders Quorum was in charge and here are the Primary kids on the stairs with their donuts and punch, the cirlce of people playing "Go Fish", plus the Richardson's - a young couple who are taking the Temple Preparation class.

Caramel Shortbread Squares

Hi - who ever is interested, I have had a request for the recipe for the stripped cookie bars and I'll put it here (because I can't figure out how to post on the family recipe site!) 2/3 cup butter, softened - 1/4 cup white sugar, 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour, 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup backed light brown sugar, 2 Tbl. light corn syrup, 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk, 1 1/4 cups mile chocolate chips (I use the whole 2 cups)

Preheat oven to 350 - 175 C
In a medium bowl, mix together 2/3 cup butter, white sugar, and flour until evenly crumbly. Press into a 9-inch square baking pan. Bake for 20 minutes.

In a 2-quart saucepan, combine 1/2 cup butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and sweetened condensed milk. Bring to a boil. Continue to boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and beat vigorously with a wooden spoon for about 3 minutes. Pour over baked crust (warm or cold). Cool until it begins to firm.

Place Chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 1 minute, then stir and continue to heat and stir at 20 second intervals until chocolate is melted and smooth. Pour chocolate over the caramel layer and spread evenly to cover completely. Chill. Cut into 1 inch squares. These need to be small because they are so rich.
Enjoy!

three layered cookie bars

Before they take away my Betty Crocker Award I won in high school - I thought I would share a picture of these yummy three layered bars - shortcake, caramel, chocolate! I also made three puddings and layered them in glass cups - vanilla, butterscotch and chocolate - turned out very good. Thought I would add a picture taken from our patio of the Ocho Rios harbor - pretty huh?

Noni Cruise Ship

We had a fun day on Tuesday - the cruise ship in dock was full of Taithan (sp) Noni people! We first met these Japanese Young Men - all returned missionaires - they saw our name tags and came up to us! Then we met Bro. Johnson - from Orem - he told us the whole ship was Noni representatives - they had to sign up a year ago and then earn the right to come on the boat. I took a picture of him with Elder Smith. His parents served a mission here in Jamaica 19 years ago! They served in the south at Mae Pen - but he was happy to come and see the island. We then drove across town to the craft market that a member of our branch has a shop in...and met Sister Johnson - so Elder Smith took a picture of me with her... but then her husband came and he wasn't the same Bro. Johnson we had met earlier. He is an attorney and they are from Pleasant Grove - - it was such fun to meet and talk to these Saints - the Church is truly WORLDWIDE!! Nice to hear Utah accents.