It’s all in the timing

You certainly don’t want to repent too early!
 

Twenty questions

I know kids who feel like they need to study to get the right answers to give to Santa!
 

Bad letters

Oops.
 

Sketchbook: Choose the Right

There’s a lot of hand wringing about BYU and the football playoffs. While I certainly think they deserve more respect than they’re getting, let’s see how the game goes this Saturday. 
 

When Black Friday comes

I'm glad that the Black Friday sales that started right after dessert on Thanksgiving or the 3 a.m. special sales are (mostly) a thing of the past, I still plan to spend as little time as possible doing any shopping today. 

Each year we're guaranteed a day-long backup and slowdown on I-5 near the outlet mall, and parking lots everywhere are jammed with people who haven't been able to shop for almost 24 hours! It's a good day to spend at home!
 

Good reads

Here's to a happy U.S. Thanksgiving to all. If you're outside the U.S., have a thankful day anyway!
 

Taste test

Often the best part of cooking is the tasting!
 

All in the family

Imagine the leftovers from having a stegosaurus at Thanksgiving!
 

Sketchbook: Doing us the good we need

Those twin terrors of every Mormon meal.
 

Moving time!

This happened to me right before Christmas. One of my least favorite transfers ever!
 

Too soon?

I like the sentiment, but it may not be true when cooking turkey. Taking it out three hours too soon is probably a bad idea.
 

This spud's for you

I remember one Thanksgiving when I was about seven years old. We had Thanksgiving dinner with some near kindred. There was a dish of parsnips that I thought was potatoes — so I took a lot. Was I ever disappointed! Aaugh!
 

A word of warning

OK, purists might argue that the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come didn't wear chains. But then, Ebenezer Scrooge wasn't a Meleagris gallopavo domesticus either. We're taking a little bit of literary license here.

I also avoid green bean casserole. It's the mushrooms. Bleah!

I am that hero

I can guarantee you that cartoonists often draw stuff just 'cause they want to see what it would look like. In this case, I was not disappointed!
 

Sketchbook: We’ve all been there

 

But it’s got to have whipped cream. 

You’ll be history

I ran across this old cartoon and thought it would fit well with this week’s Come, Follow Me lesson materials. 
 

Phishing

I just assume everything is a scam. Especially if caller ID says it’s a member of the bishopric and I haven’t given a talk in a very long time. 
 

There will be no escape this time

Especially when it comes to pumpkin pie, I certainly don't want to escape whipping — cream, that is!
 

The heat is on

Things get a little crazy when you prep Thanksgiving dinner — yet it (usually) turns out to be just fine! 
 

Sketchbook: Straight and narrow

Our local missionaries used bowling as a metaphor. The Lord will always give us a second chance if we miss the mark. 
 

Tastefully done

Are you familiar with aspic? It was popular in its time, or so I’m told. 

I’m just happy for the return of the Shakespearean turkeys!
 

A+ work

It's been long enough that I don't remember. What kinds of things do missionaries stick on their fridge? Besides take out menus, that is!
 

A chill in the air

It's that time of year when those who are always cold seem to get a little colder.
 

A change of seasonings

I don't know why it amuses me to give turkeys names like Barry or Shirley. There's more to them than just Jenny or Tom.

From the Gee Whiz File: Barry Arnold was my best friend back in elementary school. We used to ride our bikes to 7-11 to buy candy, then go throw stuff in the canal to see if it would float. Good times!

Gee Whiz, Part 2: It's also Valerie's birthday today. Happy birthday wherever you are!

Gee Whiz, Part 3: A quick survey shows that other names I’ve used for turkeys include Bert, Bobby, Tommy, Tom, Ralph, Lenny, Maurice, Walter, Frank, Arnold, Roger, Ben, George and Marty. I’m not sure what to do with that knowledge. 

Sketchbook: Truth in advertising

At first I thought it would be a great idea if everyone had something similar posted outside their front door. But then I began to wonder what my sign would say?
 

No treat for you!

Happy Halloween — the one day each year when even the missionaries won't get run off if they knock on your door in the evening.

Except our missionaries have to be in their apartment by 6.
 

But when it was bad

Every area on my mission had that one place you could get cheap food that was usually really good. From time to time the quality would be questionable, but it was often worth the risk.
 

Thy days are numbered

As part of my research, I asked a few returned missionaries for ideas of what a companion could do that would bother them. There were a LOT of ideas shared! I dialed this one back a bit and made it toothpaste rather than toothbrush. Ew!
 

That bugs me

As a missionary, the only thing worse than breaking the zipper on your pants was busting the seams. That was horror!
 

Sketchbook: The OG

Letting loose a bunch of frogs certainly sounds like a Halloween prank, doesn't it?
 

Who's knocking?

This would certainly be an unnerving combination to show up at your door. 

If you'd like to see more cartoons about monsters and missionaries, I invite you to visit the Transylvania Central Mission, a subsidiary of the Ward Cartoonist website! I'm not the only one who thinks they're a good mix!

A foot in the door

The whole thing about how vampires can't come into your home unless they're invited could turn out to work in their favor. 
 

Putting your whole soul into the work

It may be a spiritual thought, but it appears that it won't be coming from the heart. 
 

Recommendation

"Voice from the dust" sounds way better than "voice beyond the grave."

The zombie elder reminds me of one of my missionary companions. I'm not naming names, though. Similar hygiene habits.
 

Fresh from the MTC

Our area just got a new missionary fresh from the MTC, Elder Cornell. When they introduced him as green, this popped into my head. It's the elders' fault!

And honestly, Frankenstein's monster looks pretty good as a missionary — better than I expected at least. 

 

Sketchbook: Just the bare bones

Obviously these missionaries have not learned one of the fundamental principles of teaching: The lesson isn't over until they're back inside and you're out of sight. It helps avoid misunderstandings.
 

Bargain hunting

This may be a bigger thing in the Pacific Northwest than it is elsewhere. After all, you are what you eat!
 

It's a dilemma we all face

If it were me, I'd stick with ordering through Amazon. You don't have to go out during the daylight and deal with all those weird people at Costco.

Getting on date

Missionaries are always happy to find people who are interested and are more than eight years old!
 

Sketchbook: Under development

It’s got a lot of unique features that would appeal to the right people. 
 

Pause and reflect

There's nothing better than zombie watching at sidewalk café in Paris.
 

Raise your voice

There’s room for all the voices, says Elder Holland. 
 

A record should be kept

Yes, the jars are labeled with the names of some of my relations. See anyone you know?

Back to the future

 

Sketchboook: Some post-conference thoughts

A few days ago I wondered if conference would be enough to get through the next six months. It was pretty awesome — I expect it should last at least a few weeks!

*I had a little trouble getting a good screenshot.

Not that long ago it was rare to announce ANY new temples at General Conference. I have to admit it, though, it felt a little disappointing. The temple announcements felt almost like dessert after a long spiritual feast!
 

Sunday Afternoon Sketchnotes

 No new temple announcements. That was unexpected!