I woke up this morning with a prayer that I would truly feel the joy and spirit of this season, and through all of you, my prayer was answered during Sacrament meeting. Thank you to everyone involved for a beautiful and very touching Christmas program. In addition to writing the program for today, Darlene recently penned a poem that I'm certain will brightnen your week as you ponder the true meaning of Christmas.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL


Twas days before Christmas and all through the house
Everybody was stirring especially the mouse.
Online gifts, wrapped, and beribboned with care
Are hidden away.  Hmmm, I wonder just where?
Fruitcake and cookies and old-fashioned fudge
Though tiring to make is done without grudge.
The cranberry relish may one day be famous
Among our kind neighbors who’re always so gracious.

Things have slowed to a hum, is everything done?
I’ll just sit for a bit, a moment, just one.
Is it all worth it?  This frantic obsession?
Is this what it takes to get our attention?
To focus on why we do this every season?
Perhaps we forget and misplace the real reason
To celebrate, to sing, with longing, with joy
The coming to earth of that sweet baby boy.

“Tomorrow come I to the world,” he said
Not quite understanding what lay ahead.
His Spirit knew all, but his flesh had to grow
Into the Man who was destined to show
The infinite love Father has for us all:
To send his Beloved to earth, to a stall,
Forever reminding how humbly the King
Who created the world our salvation doth bring.

We love thee, dear Savior, though it seems we forget,
In the hustle and bustle of Christmas, our debt.
We put lights on the tree, buy out the store,
Eat ‘til we’re silly, and yet there is more.
The Spirit says, “Listen.  Beyond all the noise
Angels still sing bringing comfort and joys.
If our hearts and our minds do all this to remember
His birth and His love. then how blessed is December.
                     - Darlene 12/3/10

Because I have been given much

Because I have been given much, I too must give. As the song goes, it's always nice to have the chance to serve. This past Tuesday we were able to make lunches for the Food and Care Coalition in Provo. We assembled 100 lunches to feed the homeless and those in need.


Yummy:)


Janet gave us more valuable info on Car Survival and Emergency Kits. You can link to Be Ready Utah (on the side of the blog) to find more info on Emergency preparedness. Here is what Janet's family has in their car packs.

Important items: tools needed to change a flat tire, jumper cables, road emergency flares, flashlight with extra batteries, whistle, food, water, collapsible shovel, fire extinguisher, first aid kit. Check out the website for detailed info!

Sister Patricia Riggs Lesson....

Patricia gave us a beautiful lesson today and shared a sweet and simple song with us called "Life is Overflowing with Beautiful Things". What a wonderful time of year to appreciate and be thankful for all the beautiful things our Heavenly Father has given us. This is perfect to teach your children, grandchildren, or just yourself. This link includes the flip chart with pictures. On the right side of the blog page you will see the title of the song...click on it and it will take you to the site so you can download the flipchart, get the music and even hear the song.

November Visiting Teaching

It's the beginning of busy holiday time now that November has started. We challenge you sisters to make your appointments early this month. I loved this quote from Sister Parkin on VT.
"We don't "do" visiting teaching. We "are" visiting teachers. And in the process of fulfilling this most precious assignment, we become more like our Savior, Jesus Christ. We fulfill our covenants to teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom so that each woman is nourished by the good word of God." - Bonnie D. Parkin, Relief Society General President, 2002-2007.

"Which Witch are You"

We had a wonderful RS meeting on Tuesday night...featuring dinner and specialty witches who taught us some new skills. Our "soup witch" Judy made a wonderful variety of soups to eat. Janet taught us about the simplicity of "Roads rolls" and some fun things to do with them. She made pies and also was the "emergency preparedness witch".
She discussed The basics of Water Storage. Our October Goal: Obtain your families 2 week supply of water.
A few important Water Storage Facts:
1. It's recommended to store at least 14 gallons per person, a 2 week supply.
2. Water can be stored in clear 2 liter pop bottles, or juice containers,water bottles, and large Drums/Containers.
3.Purifying water my done in 2 steps. A. Clarify:Cloudy or dirty water must be made clear. It may be passed through filter paper, fine cloth, or other filter. It may be allowed to settle and the clear water on top carefully drawn. Filtered water must be disinfected before use. B. DISINFECT: Boiling method: Bringing water to a rolling boil for 3-5min. will kill most water-born microorganisms. However, prolonged boiling of small quantities of water may concentrate toxic contaminates if present.
Bleach method: Adding 1/8 tsp.(8 drops) of fresh liquid household chlorine bleach to evey gallon (4 liters) of water kills most microorganisms.
For more info. talk with Janet.

Pie Witch

I was the pie witch for the night. My mom was known for her amazing apple pies and taught me the skill of making pie crust when I was a teenager. Since then I have loved to make pies (especially apple.) I made a pie from scratch and shared a few tips on making pies.

1. Use crisco (no generic substitutions) it makes a difference in the quality of the crust.
2. Measure exactly. I've found that the more precise I am, the better it turns out.
3. Pastry blenders make cutting the shortening and flour so much easier.
4. ICE COLD water! When adding your water make sure it is ice cold!
5. Use a mixture of apples (Granny Smith and Gala are my favorites).

My recipe:
Ambers Apple Pie
Pastry for a double pie crust Apple pie Filling
2/3 cup + 2 Tbs. Crisco shortening 2/3 cup sugar
2 Cups Flour 1/4 cup flour
1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. cinnamon
4-5 Tbs. ice cold water 6-8 apples
Peel apples and combine filling ingred. in med. size bowl. Let sit while making the pie crust. Use a pastry blender to cut the shortening into the dry mixture until the pieces are the size of small peas. Slowly add water and combine with a fork. Once dough is moistened, using your hands form into 2 equal balls. On a lightly floured surface, use your hands to flatten the dough. Roll dough from center to edge into a circle about 12 inches in diameter. Transfer dough to pie plate. Add apple mixture. Take 2nd ball of dough and roll it out and place on top of apple mixture. Pinch edges together and cut a few slits in top to allow steam to vent when baking. Brush the top with melted butter and cinnamon and sugar. Bake at 425 for 40-50 min.

Janet also made some great pies! Here is her Peanut Butter Pie recipe:
Peanut Butter Pie
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 baked pie shell
Mix sugar and PB together until crumbs form. Cover bottom of pastry shell with crumbs, reserving about 3 TBS. for top.
1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 tsp. salt 3 eggs, separated
2 1/2 cups milk 6 TBS sugar (for meringue)
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix together 1/2 c. sugar, cornstarch, and salt in med. saucepan. Beat egg yolks slightly; add milk and stir until well blended. Cook over med.heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to boil and boils 1 min. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Cool to room temp. Spoon into pie crust. Beat egg whites till foamy. Add sugar, 1 TBS. at a time, beating well after each TBS. Continue beating until stiff peaks form. Spread meringue over filling. Top with remaining PB crumbs. Bake at 425 about 5 min. or till brown.


The "Neighborhood Witch"

Barbara shared with us some fun neighborhood ideas with us. She put cute gumballs in this jar and used a ribbon to make it fun.

1. Her yummy "The Best (and Easiest) Gooey Carmel Popcorn
Pop 2 bags of butter flavor microwave popcorn. Place in a large mixing bowl and Remove any un-popped kernels of corn. In a med. saucepan combine: 1 can condensed milk, 1/2 cup light corn syrup, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 1 TBS. vanilla. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly and cook to soft ball stage (approx. 8-10 min). Pour over popcorn and stir to evenly coat...YUMMY!
2. Candy corn cookie ideas
3. You've been Boo-ed..be watching for the Neighborhood Phantom to make it's way to your doorstep!

Hey Ladies....:)



The "Cute" witch


Thanks to everyone who came to support this fun night of sisterhood and hopefully learning some new skills or helpful information. Thanks to all those behind the scenes for decorations, food prep...all of Judy's yummy soups, publicity and set up and clean up.