St. Luke Living Center correspondent
Getting back to business Friday morning, our bakers stirred up a double batch of pineapple pecan cookies, a recipe from Sherry Montee of Salina. We tweaked the recipe somewhat by substituting some of the flour with toasted oats. These cookies weren’t our all-time favorites but satisfied soft-cookie lovers and had a good flavor.
Luke Seibert and her Shih Tzu, Tiger, came in our doors mid-day with a single purpose but we were able to “weedle” them into a longer visit and time to dog-watch.
By afternoon, Elsie Reiswig and Bill Schimpf were here, tables set, and games in place for 12 or more winning bingos.
Gene set up his equipment Saturday morning, which is no small chore, and began playing polkas as well as other musical genres for our enjoyment.
Pastor Phil Smith of Valley United Methodist Church of Marion was Sunday’s guest minister. While gathered in the chapel for the service, Pastor Phil also invited us to receive communion.
Alex Stuchlik was here to entertain Monday afternoon, but he and his accordion weren’t the only entertainment. It seems there was audience participation in our version of belly dancing — that’s tummy-to-tummy while swaying side-to-side.
Our resident council met Tuesday morning with 11 members present. We heard an update from Mary Raleigh of the better dining task force. Nancy Tharp shared the regulations in dispensing medications. We also began making plans for a valentine family potluck meal Feb. 11.
That afternoon, St. Luke Hospital Auxiliary members Elora Robinson and Dorothy Youk, in the spirit of Kansas Day, prepared a cloth-covered dining room table with a sunflower print, a large floral arrangement, and brightly-colored napkins. Next came plates of caramel-colored iced cookies, two kinds of quick breads, brownies with and without nuts, delicious lemon bars, and golden dried apricots. Our job was to prepare hot coffee and iced tea, and to enjoy an hour of conversation and refreshments, which we certainly did. Jean Case also dropped in to visit.
Dick Pracht was prayer group leader Wednesday morning. Nancy joined us and lent her lovely voice to the hymns as we sang with Lydia Batt as pianist.
The frigid temperature and beautiful snowflakes were the perfect setting for s’mores Thursday afternoon as we comfortably viewed it all through the wall of windows overlooking the courtyard. The little gel-fueled s’mores-maker toasted marshmallows for 12 sandwiches, which were served with 12 damp washcloths.