January Presidency Message

Presidency Message

When my 4 year old granddaughter Chanelle’s bedtime rolls around, my son often lies down by her for a while until she falls asleep. Occasionally Chanelle will turn to her Dad and say to him “Dad, hug up to me”.  I believe it’s her way of saying; I need you to be closer to me so that I feel safe, included and loved. 

This summer I purchased a car.  I researched different types of cars and made a list of the vehicles I might want to buy.  I didn’t want to buy new because of the cost.  I wanted a car that would fit 7 people so I could more easily haul my grandkids.  I wanted heated seats and 4 wheel drive.  One of the big factors was fuel economy.  

Let me invite you today to compare your every day life with an automobiles fuel economy. 

I hope that you are getting fantastic gas mileage in your life when it comes to reading your scriptures, saying your prayers, holding FHE, and fulfilling your Church assignments. I hope you have found a steady pace to include these things in your life and your path seems clear and straight.  

Today however, I want us to focus on our in-town driving gas mileage.  I want to encourage you today to get the worst gas mileage you possibly can.  I want you to slow down, speed up, slam on the brakes, make U turns, drive backwards and circle the block. 

I would like to invite you to take a minute during your well planned out good gas mileage day to slow down long enough to think about your neighbors, the sisters you visit teach, those who are home bound or ill.  I want you to take your life off cruise control,  slow down and fervently ask your Father in Heaven who might need your help that day. Slow down and listen to the inspiration that comes. Who could you call that day to just say hello?  Who in our ward might be silently praying for someone to “hug up to them”? 

.

Then speed up and follow the promptings, don’t wait or put it off, the Spirit will tell you what to do.  Sometimes the prompting to act comes at a convenient time, most of the time it does not.  Those are the times when we have to slam on our brakes and redirect our efforts so that we don’t miss the opportunity to serve. 

Sometimes in our conversations with each other, words are spoken that may have been perceived as unkind or mean spirited; the Spirit will tell us to make a U turn or drive backwards and go back and correct the wrong.  The Spirit will help us repair damaged friendships and remind us that we are all daughters of our Heavenly Father and we all need love and acceptance, not alienation and judgment.

There are times when you will find that the situation you become aware of will need more support than just a friendly phone call or quick visit.  That’s the time to call President Swenson and let her know about the needs of your neighbors and friends.  She will then communicate with the Bishop who then through interviews and prayers and inspiration will ask the members of the ward, to circle the block for a time to make sure that our friends and neighbors are receiving the help they need.

Sometimes as members of the ward, we are only aware of a small part of the overall picture because of confidentiality, or people’s requests to protect their privacy.  Most matters are dealt with by the Bishop behind closed doors as the Lord directs him. The rest of us are not privy to the help and actions being put into place by a humble servant of the Lord.  We must rely on our faith knowing that our Bishop has been called by the Lord to be a judge and shepherd.  He has been given the keys and power of discernment and the right to revelation and inspiration for the guidance of his flock.  As the Lord Himself said “What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” (D&C 1:38)

I am so grateful to live in such an amazing ward of compassionate and loving sisters.  I know the Lord is pleased with your service and kindness shown to each other every day.  I leave you with the words of Pres. Julie Beck from our regional conference when she said “You are doing better than you think you are” and at the same time “We are not doing as well as we could.”

I pray that we will all continue to have the desire to give and receive the blessings of service so that we may all feel comfortable to say to our neighbor and friend.  “Hug up to Me”.

-Kim Olsen

Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken Pot Pie

Pastry for Double Crust Pie

2 cups flour
2/3 cup shortening
6-7 T cold water

stir together flour and 1/2 tsp salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in shortning till pieces are pea size.

Sprinkle 1 T water over part of the mixture, gentle toss with a fork. Push moistened dough to side of bowl. Repeat, using 1 T water at a time, till all the dough is moistened. Set aside.

1 10 oz pkg frozen peas and carrots
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped fresh mushrooms
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sage, marjoram, or thyme
1/8 tsp pepper
2 cups chicken broth
3/4 cup milk
3 cups cooked cubed or shredded chicken or turkey
1/4 cup snipped fresh parsley
1/4 cup pimiento (optional)

In a saucepan cook onion and mushroom in butter till tender. Stir in flour, slat, sage, marjoram, or thyme, and pepper. Add chicken broth and milk all at once. Cook and stir till thickened and bubbly. Stir in drained peas and carrots, chicken or turkey, parsley, and pimiento; cook til bubbly.

pour mixture into 9x13 or 2 pie plates and cover with dough. Flute edges and make a few small cuts in top. Bake at 450 for 12-15 minutes or till pastry is golden brown.

Enchiladas

Enchiladas

1 lb hamburger
1 onion chopped

Brown meat

1 can chili beans heated and mixed with hamburger mixture
Tortillas
Shredded cheddar cheese
1 can olives (chopped if desired, I leave them whole)
Enchilada sauce

Put hamburger/bean mix in tortilla a little cheese some sauce and olives. Roll up and place them in 9x13. Pour sauce over the top, be sure to cover tortillas so they won't dry out when baking. Top with cheese and olives. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until hot.

Sauce: You can use a packet but homemade is so much better

melt 1/2 cube butter in sauce pan
Add 1-2 T flour and 1 tsp chili powder
cook for 45 seconds to cook our flour taste
Add 1 can tomato sauce and 2-3 cans water, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp brn sugar, salt and pepper to taste.

Cook until thick.

Breakfast Casserole

Breakfast Casserole

4 slices of bread
1 lb maple sausage
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
6 eggs
2 cup milk
1 tsp ground mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Break bread into cubes and place in a greased 9x13
Brown sausage and then sprinkle over bread, then sprinkle cheese over the sausage.
In a bowl whisk the eggs, milk mustard, salt, and pepper. Pour over the sausage and cheese. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until puffed and golden. Yield 6-8 servings

Stew

Stew

2 T flour
1 lb beef or pork stew meat cut into 3/4" cubes
2 T cooking oil
3 cups vegetable juice
1 cup water
1 medium onion, cut into wedges
1 tsp instant beef bouillon granules
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp dried marjoram
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 bay leaf
2 1/2 cups cubed potatoes (about 3 medium)
1 cup frozen cut green beans
1 cup frozen whole kernel corn
1 cup sliced carrots (2 medium)

Coat meat with flour and brown in pan in hot oil. add veg juice, water, onion, bouillon granules, Worcestershire sauce, marjoram, oregano, and bay leaf. Bring to boil and reduce heat and cover, simmer for 1 hour. Add potatoes, green beans, corn, and carrots. Cover and simmer about 30 minutes more.

Can do this in a crock pot too.

Taco Soup

Taco Soup

1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion chopped
1 pkg taco seasoning (optional)
1 can corn undrained
1 can kidney beans, or chili beans, or what ever kind of bean you like drained if necessary
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 small can tomato sauce

Cook hamburger with onion until done, drain hamburger grease. Add the other ingredients and cook until hot.

Serve with cheese and sour cream and fritos

YUM!

Chicken Corn Soup

Chicken Corn Soup (Food Storage Recipe)

6 cup water
4 tsp chicken bouillon
1/2 cup dried diced carrots
1 T dried minced onion
1 T dried celery
1/2 tsp minced garlic

1 cup uncooked noodles, any shape
1 10 oz can chicken chunks undrained and broken up
1 15 oz can corn undrained
2 tsp dried parsley
pepper to taste

Combine first 6 ingredients, bring to boil. Simmer 15 min or until carrots are tender. Eliminate this cooking time if using puff-dried carrots. Add noodles, simmer for 10 min more. Add chicken, corn, and parsley. Stir just to combine. Heat and serve. serves 4-5


I always double this for my family of 5

Meatballs with cream sauce

Meatballs with Cream Sauce

1 egg lightly beaten
1/4 cup milk
2 T ketchup
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
3/4 cup quick-cooking oats
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup fresh parsley
1/4 tsp pepper
1-1/2 lbs lean ground beef
3 T all purpose flour

Cream Sauce:
2 T butter
2 T flour
1/4 tsp dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
1 can 14 oz chicken broth
2/3 cup whipping cream
2 T minced fresh parsley (can use dry)

In a bowl, combine the first nine ingredients. Add beef and mix well.. Shape into 1-1/2" balls. Roll in flour, shaking off excess. Place on cookie sheet and bake at 400 for 25 minutes. You can turn them in between if desired.

Meanwhile, for sauce, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and thyme, salt and pepper,until smooth. Let cook about 45 seconds to cook out flour flavor. Gradually add broth and cream; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 min or until thickened and bubbly. Drain meatballs on paper towels; transfer to serving dish and top with sauce and some fresh parsley. Serve with peas if desired.

Hot filled Chicken Sandwiches

Hot filled Chicken Sandwiches (12 rolls)

1 cup cooked chicken chopped fine
3 hard boiled eggs chopped fine
4 tsp sweet pickles chopped
4 T green pepper chopped
4 T onion chopped
1/2 lb. cheddar cheese cubed 3/8"
1 cup mayo

Mix all ingredients. Cut rolls take a little of the middle out, then fill them up with filling and wrap in foil.

Cook at 325 for 25 minutes if not frozen. You can make these ahead and freeze them. If frozen cook 45 minutes.

Lasagna

Lasagna,

Cook 12 noodles. Brown hamburger with onions then add 1 or 2 jars of marinara sauce heat through. Layer in a 9x13. Noodles, sauce with hamburger and lots of mozzarella cheese. Finish with cheese on top and bake for 20 minutes at 350.

Presidency December Message

My purpose today is to inspire you to find joy in your service as a Visiting Teacher.

“And they did fellowship one with another, and did rejoice one with another, and did have great joy” (Hel. 6:3)  Nephi and Lehi the sons of Helaman found great joy in serving and converting their brothers and sisters in the gospel.   They lived in a time when those who chose evil were more numerous that those who chose good.   Nephi actually gave up the position of chief judge to devote all his time to preach the word of God with his brother Lehi.  As I have read and study their story, I have wondered why they found such great joy in their service.  I believe their example holds a great lesson for us. ( Read Helaman 5 and 6)

As sisters, we love to share recipes.  In their story we find a beautiful recipe for joy.  The first ingredient and probably the most important is Obedience.  We can learn from their example of remembering the commandments of God in their lives.  They also remembered the things their father had taught them.  They treasured the things which were eternal.  

“Because we as sisters in the gospel value the sacred assignment from our Savior to love, know , serve, understand, teach, and minister in His behalf, we can choose to be faithful in our visiting teaching.  A visiting teacher cares for her sisters and helps them prepare for the blessings of eternal life.  You can bring an influence that no one else can.  Through our regular monthly visits, we create bonds of love, friendship, and trust.” (Julie Beck)

Sift in: Service and sacrifice.  Most often service is not convenient and is hard work. Nephi had to give up a very important assignment as chief judge to do something he knew was more important.  Many times in our service opposition and challenges come.  Nephi and Lehi had many challenges but with sacrifice and great faith they over came them and had great success.  We can also have challenges with Visiting Teaching.  Most often it concerns time, making the time to do your visiting teaching, coordinating schedules with your partner, and making time for your visiting teachers to visit you.  We can be a great blessing to those in need but we have to be willing to give of our time.  The following steps will help you be successful as you serve.  1-Plan to visit early in the month. 2-Make a monthly contact and report it.  3-Prayerfully prepare the message.  4-Look, listen, strengthen, and love your sisters. 5-Listen to and follow the spirit.

Blend in well:  Testifying and teaching the gospel.  Nephi and Lehi testified and taught with the power of the Holy Ghost.  They experienced many miracles in their work.  We can also experience miracles in our lives and the lives of our sisters as we teach and testify of the gospel.    The gospel message you provide may be the only on that sister receives.  Use the monthly visiting teaching message when appropriate and be in tune to what best fits the needs of your sisters.  Let the spirit guide you.  Sometimes the most important message you can share is to do something to lift their burdens.    The “relief” we offer includes “relief of doubt, relief of ignorance, relief of all that hinders the joy and progress of women.” John Widtsoe

Bake with:  Love.  When you lose yourself in service to others,  a beautiful ,magical thing begins to happen.  Your soul begins to develop a great love for the people you serve and just like Nephi and Lehi, you will be blessed to experience that great JOY which is unspeakable.

There you have it the recipe for joy.  Obedience, Service,Testifying, Love=JOY

Something that is fun to remember: 

Jesus 

Others 

You

When you put Jesus first in your life, others next, and yourself last you find JOY.  If you try it the other way around putting you first, others next, and Jesus last, you will find misery.   If you are not experiencing joy in your life, I urge you to try this recipe.  It can bring you joy when you are at your lowest point.

Oh how I love each of you. I testify that lasting joy comes from service in God’s kingdom.  He loves us and desires that we feel joy and happiness in this life.  May you be blessed to find that great joy in the important work you do as women and sisters in the gospel.

December Spotlight

Pat Bird

   I was born in Northern California in Arcata. It’s right on the border of Oregon.

   I had two brothers and two sisters, so I was the baby.  I am the only one left now.

   School wasn’t much fun for me.  My mother was divorced, and I lived on the wrong side of the tracks. Divorced was a nasty word in the 30’s and I was ostracized by the teachers and kids in grammar school.

   My mother was an honest, hard working woman.  She took in boarders and cleaned houses to support us. When I graduated from the 8^th grade we moved to Benicia, California. The war was on and mama went to work at the Arsenal making uniforms for our soldiers.

   I went to high school in Benicia. I had just finished my junior year when the war was over and at 16 I married my first husband. Four children later it didn’t work out and I got a divorce. I had another bad marriage with two more children. After that divorce I got my head together and was alone for seven years. I had six children all together. Three girls and three boys. Judy (deceased), Billy, Wayne, Jeanne, Patty and Jim. During this time I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The best decision I ever made! I have lived in Calif., Idaho, Nevada and Utah.

   I met #3 husband at a church dance. We had a wonderful marriage. I thought I’d died and gone to heaven! He died of prostate cancer after 15 wonderful years of marriage. I had gotten my GED and became an LPN and I was so thankful I had the skills to take care of him when he was so sick. I had worked in various hospitals, but after he died I went to work for Home Health. I went all over the Salt Lake Valley to my patients, doing everything from fixing their vacuum cleaners, giving shots, baths, to getting them their meals.  I loved it.

   Two years after I was alone, I accepted a blind date with Bob; we were introduced by his niece, whom I worked with.

Things worked out great and we were married and I moved to Salem. I was going to continue working part time, but IHC in Orem didn’t have any needs at that time so I retired. I didn’t feel like going back to a hospital at my age. Bob was still working. He retired at 62. We have had a very good marriage and life is good.  We are both in good health. We’ve been on two missions. Our first mission was to Palmyra, New York for two years. It was a wonderful time. We worked very hard and we also met some wonderful friends. We still are very close and get together for great parties. Our second mission was 1 ½ years ago. We went to Cove Fort. It also was a wonderful mission, and we worked hard and met more wonderful friends that we also get together with.

   I think I have the best husband that ever lived! He helps me with the housework, laundry, and canning. He also keeps our yard looking so good.

   We enjoy fishing! (Feeding the fish) and we go as often as we can. We like going on trips, gardening etc. I love my cats and dogs and my husband. We’ve been married 19 years. I also enjoy walking at the track. I’ve run a few marathons. I love to read.

If I died tomorrow I would feel like all my experiences, bad and good have made me stronger and a better person.

   My favorite scripture is 23^rd psalm

cooking tips and other tricks

Left Over Halloween Pumpkins:
Scoop out seeds and strands if using a new pumpkin.
Stand pumpkin upright and cut down the middle. Halves should
be able to fit on a baking sheet. Place one half pumpkin, or two
if they fit, cut side down on the baking sheet. You may sprinkle
a little water on the sheet first. Bake at 350F for 30-60 minutes,
depending on the size. When done, the skin darkens and the pumpkin
begins to collapse. Check for softness with a fork or knife. It
will go in easily if done. Remove from oven, cool about 20 minutes.
Scoop pumpkin flesh away from skin. Discard skin then puree in food
processor.

Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

1 1/2 cups pumpkin seeds
2 tsp. melted butter or oil (olive oil or vegetable oil work well)
salt to taste
Options To Taste:
garlic powder
cayenne pepper
seasoning salt
Cajun seasoning blend
Preheat oven to 300F. While it's fine to leave some strings and
pulp on your seeds (it adds flavor), clean off any major chunks.
Toss pumpkin seeds in a bowl with the melted butter or oil and
seasonings of your choice. Purist will want only salt as a
seasoning, but, if you're feeling adventurous, experiment and have
fun with seasoning blends. Spread pumpkin seeds in a single layer
on baking sheet and bake for about 45 minutes, until golden brown,
stirring occasionally.

November Spotlight

Nancy Grover Frampton

I was born in Cedar City but my family moved to SLC when I was just 18 months old. I am the 6th of 8 children, 4 boys and 4 girls. I attended East High School and the University of Utah where I graduated in Pharmacy. I just lived a few blocks from the U of U so I often walked to school. After graduation I married Robert. We met when we were both doing internships at LDS Hospital and his roommate Jim was dating (and later married) my sister Martha.
We moved to Tooele for 3 years while Robert was in the Army, and our first daughter Mary was born, then we moved to SLC where Robert completed his Family Practice residency, and our daughter Kate was born. Next we moved to Salem and we had 2 more daughters, Margaret and Elizabeth and a son John. My life was fairly average, working full time as a wife and mother and part time as a pharmacist working at the old World Drug in Spanish Fork and at Mountain View Hospital. Then in late 2001 Robert decided to accept a job with the US State Department Foreign Service as a Regional Medical Officer. His first assignment was to Nigeria for 2 years where he was responsible for overseeing medical care for embassy and other government employees in 8 surrounding African countries. The first day we attended church in Nigeria I was called to be the Relief Society President. What an interesting experience it was to incorporate church programs into a third world country setting.
After Nigeria we lived in Washington DC for 3 years, transferred to St. George for 2 years, and last year we moved back to our family home in Salem. It was interesting to rub shoulders with wonderful and even famous people (like Pres. Bush, Condalezza Rice, Colin Powell) in all of these places, but it is great to be back home.
I love to read, enjoy sewing, cooking and gardening, and am having the most fun being around our kids and 5 grandchilden. I love chocolate and nuts, especially together with a little bit of caramel.

October best buys

For a full list of the best buys this month click here.

October Presidency Message

In Alma 34:38 Amulek exhorts the poor Zoramites to “Live in thanksgiving daily”. This is good advice for all of us. Indeed, it seems that those who live in thanksgiving daily are usually among the world’s happiest people.

I had the opportunity to visit Kenya this summer. One of the women on our trip brought 10,000 pencils. She wanted to make sure that each and every student there received one. I can still hear the sighs of pleasure that each class made as each boy and girl heard they would have their own pencil. ,If I had been closing my eyes I would have thought they had all just received Xboxes or Ipods. They were truly grateful for their little gifts.

If we look around us, there are a thousand reasons for us not to be happy. It is simplicity itself to blame our unhappiness on the things we lack in life. It doesn’t take any talent at all to find them. The problem is, the more we focus on the things we don’t have, the more unhappy and more resentful we become.
Those of us with straight hair, want curly hair. Those who are tall, want to be short. If only I had more money, a bigger house, a new car, whiter teeth, smaller pants size, etc. etc.
As I went to Africa I realized that one doesn’t need those things to be happy. In fact, it seemed to me that those external things actually get in the way of happiness.

Robert Louis Stevenson said, “The man who forgets to be thankful has fallen asleep in life.” Unfortunately, because the beauties of life are so abundant, sometimes we take them for granted. Our minds have a marvelous capacity to notice the unusual. However, the opposite is true as well: The more often we see the things around us - even the beautiful and wonderful things - the more they become invisible to us.

Along the same lines, it is easy to find fault with those around us, our families, our neighbors, our church leaders, and our country’s leaders. How much nicer if we would, instead of criticizing, praise and thank those around us.

I understand that there are among us true sorrows, true trials, true heartache. But even in the midst of trial, we need to take time to praise our Father.

Robert D. Hales said, “In some quiet way, the expression and feelings of gratitude have a wonderful cleansing or healing nature. ... Gratitude brings a peace that helps us overcome the pain of adversity and failure.”

Along those same lines, Joseph Wirthlin said, “Gratitude turns a meal into a feast and drudgery into delight. It softens our grief and heightens our pleasure. It turns the simple and common into the memorable and transcendent.”

We are inundated these days by messages of entitlement. It is hard to ignore them. Ingratitude is the order of the day. Gratitude rare. We need to make gratitude part of every day. We need to practice it if we want to stem envy, criticism and discontent. We need to practice gratitude.


Pres. Eyring has taught for years that we should ask ourselves every evening how we have seen the hand of the Lord in our lives and in the lives of our loved ones. He said, “I urge you to find ways to recognize and remember God’s kindness. It will build our testimonies. You may not keep a journal. You may not share whatever record you keep with those you love and serve. But you and they will be blessed as you remember what the Lord has done.”

In 2 Nephi 8:3 we are told that thanksgiving will be found in Zion. An attitude of thanksgiving is the hallmark of a Zion people. This scripture reminds us that there is great power in practicing gratitude. According to this scripture, when we are full of thanksgiving our wildernesses can be like Eden and our deserts like the garden of the Lord. There is great power in gratitude.

I challenge you to take time every day to count your blessings, to think over and thank Heavenly Father for all He has given you, both good and bad, both easy and difficult. As the hymn says, “it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.”

October Spotlight

Dana Gunderson


My husband Gary and I are both Idaho kids. He grew up in Menan and I grew up in Shelley. We met at the then Carson's Market (on 900 East above campus that is now the BYU Creamery on Ninth. Gary broke a glass bottle of sauerkraut (I still don't know if he dropped it on purpose. It's not as if he didn't have my whole class schedule so he could 'cross paths' with me. Nowadays, they call that stalking.) His strategies worked, however, and we got married in the Salt Lake temple.
Gary became the love of my life and has always kept me laughing and inspired by his goodness in the 42 years we've been together. We've had nine kids, eight boys and one girl. Some of you may know our last four children, Jordan, Luke, Aaron, and Zach since we moved here 12 years ago. Prior to that we lived 10 years in Orem and a couple decades in the Chicago area where the older kids were raised. Gary was a swimming pool builder then. We moved here in 1989 to work on Seven Peaks Resort. That was the year Zachary was born. (I remember being large with child and ragging the tile, trying to get ready for the grand opening. The bosses wife complained that I shouldn't be on the payroll in that condition. What she didn't know is, I wasn't, ha ha. Just trying to help out.) After he finished Seven Peaks, we started our present company Castle Rock LLC. a souvenir business, still located in Orem.
Some of the things I enjoy doing are making humanitarian quilts cheaply and painting odd or old pieces of furniture. Lately, I have enjoyed working on my perennial garden (Gary calls it a 'salad'), a first for me. My sister is retired now and we enjoy going to garage sales or thrift stores. I hope to spend more time in the temple and become a better navigator on my computer so I can do family history work. I currently serve with the Young Single Adults, cub scouts, and visiting teaching.
Gary and I both thought we would grow old gracefully. We're still trying. We didn't know it was going to be this hard. A couple of summers ago, our oldest son sent us to Europe for our 40th. I won't say which one of us fell down the spiral staircase in our quaint little hotel or was pick-pocketed on the metro to the tune of $900. I will only say that Notra Dame in Paris lost some of its luster after that. Like some, we struggle with health and weight problems. Our tiny little baby boys grew up to be a thundering herd; I hide the antique chairs when they come to dinner. We enjoy their company. They are good husbands. We take pleasure in their wonderful wives and our
24 grandchildren. Another bright spot in our family is having my father, Blaine Poulsen, live with us for the past 8 years.
Life hasn't always been easy for us. Being self-employed just means that we're the last ones to get paid. Sometimes we didn't get paid. Gary has always worked hard and we were blessed with good kids.
We always tried to work together and follow the Lord's commandments.
When times were tough we kept our chins up until things got better.
The Lord wants us to be happy in spite of our adversities. We still have many lessons to learn in this life. This much we know: the gospel is true. It makes our present lives infinitely better and all things possible in our next life.

cooking tips and other tricks

Problems with Breads:
PROBLEM: What is the best way to bake brown and serve rolls?

First, brush their tops with melted butter or margarine. Bake at the
recommended temperature (on their package), but be careful of dark
coated baking sheets. Dark coated baking sheets may cause the bottoms
to burn before they are done. Bake brown and serve rolls at a high
temperature to insure a crispy, flavorful crust.

PROBLEM: Breads that are always too hard and heavy.

Breads made from scratch or from a mix must have an internal
temperature of about 80 degrees for the yeast to work properly. Cold
dough will not expand properly. Make sure the bread rises in a warm
draft free environment.

PROBLEM: Bread that rises too fast in the pan.

Use cool or cold water in the mix. The place you let the bread rise
in bulk should be about 80 degrees. Place the dough in the refrigerator
for a few minutes to cool down (while the dough is still in bulk form).

PROBLEM: French bread that has a pale crust.

Spray or paint the loaves with water (before cutting). Use an egg
wash to make the crust really brown up. French bread must have a high
temperature to bake properly. Check your oven to make sure the
temperature is correct. Add a little sugar to the mix.

PROBLEM: Tough pizza crust.

Most of the time a pizza crust dough should be wet and sticky (use
a little extra water). Toss in plenty of spices. Oil your pan with
olive oil. Try baking the crust first, then add any topping and bake
only to melt the cheese. Try dipping your fingers in olive oil when
you flatten the crust in the pan. Use plenty of olive oil and the
crust will be flavorful and crispy.

PROBLEM: Bread loaves and rolls that are heavy and soggy in the middle.

When everything else has been done right, maybe the unit weight is
too heavy. Try making the pieces smaller and let them rise longer.

PROBLEM: Bread loaves that cave in on their sides when removed from
the pan.

Always remove bread from the pan as soon as taken from the oven. The
crust sweats and may fall. Make sure that you use Bread Flour in the
mix. Weak flour will cause loaves to fall. Make sure the loaves are
done. Thump the top and if the loaf sounds hollow, it is done.
Setting (just baked) loaves in a cool draft of air will sometimes
cause their sides to cave in. When the dough is allowed to rise too
much before baking the loaves will sometimes collapse.

PROBLEM: Soft crusty breads.
The secret to good crusty breads is to use very little (if any) fats,
egg yolks, milks or sugar in the mix. Always serve crusty breads as
soon as they are baked for the best flavor and appearance. Use only
Bread Flour and make sure the dough is on the stiff side rather
than soft and sticky. However, some crusty breads are very sticky
(excess water). These breads are made by using an extra warm dough
and baking quickly at a high temperature.

Good News!

Congratulations to Darcy and Scott Moody they have a new baby boy and to Matt and Heidi Hanks they have a new baby girl.

Week 7 Challenge

Sept 26 – Oct 2
o Dust Mask
o Flares
o Credit Card
o Pre-paid phone cards
o Extra car keys and house keys
o Pictures of family
o 1-2 board games and puzzles
o Favorite stuffed animal

DON’T FORGET WATER!!! KEEP ADDING TO YOUR WATER STORAGE EACH WEEK!

Week 6 Challenge

Sept 19 – Sept 26

o Cold weather gear (Coat, gloves, hand warmers, etc)
o Pet bedding, leash, crates, carriers, etc
o Dishes/utensils
o Shovel
o 50 foot nylon rope
o Whistle
o Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
o Duct tape and plastic sheeting to “shelter-in-place”

DON’T FORGET WATER!!! KEEP ADDING TO YOUR WATER STORAGE EACH WEEK!

Week 5 Challenge

Items to purchase for your 72 hour kits this week September 6-12

o Infant Needs ( if applicable)
o Pet food and water
o Sleeping bag
o Tent
o Sleeping pad (important for insulation from cold ground)
DON’T FORGET WATER!!! KEEP ADDING TO YOUR WATER STORAGE EACH WEEK!

Relief Society Stake Temple Trip

For all those who would like to carpool to the Temple for the 1st session we will meet at the Church parking lot at 5 p.m.

Last year we went to get ice cream afterwords and we will do the same this year. We are going to have a wonderful time. Hope to see you there!

September Spotlight

Tami Dietz

I was born in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, where my dad was stationed with the Army. I was only 3 years old when my family moved to Salem, but I remember the very long drive in our old van! I grew up in Salem and even attended the old Salem school, so my kids think I am ancient! I graduated from Spanish Fork High School and then went on to the University of Utah for a year. I came home to live and earn money for the next school year when I met J.C. I like to tease him that I was his second choice. I was working at the ZCMI shoe department and J.C. was attending school at UVSC. He and several of his friends were planning a date to go to General Conference. Well, the first girl he asked wasn’t able to go, so his friend said, “Why don’t you go ask Mike’s little sister. She just works up at the mall.” So he made his way up and went to the shoe department to find me. I happened to be on my lunch break, so he didn’t see me, but he did see a nice pair of hiking boots he wanted. He thought my co-worker that was helping him was kind of cute, so he figured if I wasn’t there, he would just ask her. He ended up putting the boots on hold while he ran to the bank for some money. I came back from lunch just in time for him to come back and ask me on the date. My co-worker got the commission, but I got J.C.! We were married a short (very short) time later in the Salt Lake Temple. We have been married for over 15 years and have 5 children; Chase, Madi, Emma, Jake & Sofie. I am fortunate to be able to, and actually want to (most of the time), stay home with my children. I love to read, dabble in photography, and “play” with my family!
I have so many favorite scriptures, but there is one in particular that I am loving more and more as time goes on. It is 3 John 1:4, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth”.

Cooking tips and other tricks

Herbs and Spices:
Storage Tips:
Store spices in a cool, dark place. Humidity, light and heat will cause
herbs and spices to lose their flavor more quickly. Although the most
convenient place for your spice rack may be above your stove, moving
your spices to a different location may keep them fresh longer.

As a general rule, herbs and ground spices will retain their best flavors
for a year. Whole spices may last for 3 to 5 years. Proper storage should
result in longer freshness times.

When possible, grind whole spices in a grinder or mortar & pestle just
prior to using. Toasting whole spices in a dry skillet over medium heat
before grinding will bring out even more flavor. Be careful not to burn.

Because the refrigerator is a rather humid environment, storing herbs
and spices there is not recommended. To keep larger quantities of spices
fresh, store them in the freezer in tightly sealed containers.

Usage Tips:
Use a light hand when seasoning with spices and herbs. Your goal is to
compliment your dish without crowding out the flavor of the food.
Remember, it's usually impossible to "un-spice" a dish!

For long-cooking dishes, add herbs and spices an hour or less before
serving. Cooking spices for too long may result in overly strong flavors.

Finely crush dried herbs before adding to your dish after measuring.

Do not use dried herbs in the same quantity as fresh. In most cases,
use 1/3 the amount in dried as is called for fresh.

Keep it simple. Unless the recipe specifically calls for it, don't use
more than 3 herbs and spices in any one dish. The exception to this rule
is Indian cooking, which often calls for 10 or more different spices in
one curry dish!

Black pepper, garlic powder, salt and cayenne pepper are excellent
"after cooking" seasonings. Allow guests to season dishes with these
spices at the table.

Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and allspice have a special affinity for
sweet dishes.
If you're feeling adventuresome, try replacing herbs and spices called
for in recipes with something different! Marjoram instead of oregano,
savory instead of thyme, cilantro instead of parsley,
anise seed instead of fennel, etc.

Good News Moment

Jennifer Durrant had a new baby girl and Ashley Williams had a new baby boy. We are so excited for you, Congratulations!

Week 4 Challenge

August 30 – September 5

o Extra Batteries
o Candles & Lighters
o Temple Recommend (make sure it’s in your wallet when you leave)
o Copies of Legal Documents: Birth/Marriage Certificates, Wills, Vaccination papers, passports, contracts, insurance policies, bank info, genealogy, pet, etc…)
o Cash: $50-$100 in small bills and $10 in quarters.
o Books: Reading, Coloring
o Crayons, Pencils and paper

Week 3 Challenge

August 23-29 Buy these items this week for your 72 hour kits.

o canned: Tuna, beans, fruit, turkey, Vienna sausages, etc. (MRE food pouches are lighter in weight)
o Candy/Gum
o Juice/Protein Shakes (can or pouch like slimfast but without all of the sugar. They are full of protein, vitamins and minerals)
o Rain Coat/ Poncho
o Emergency Heat Blankets
o Radio (with batteries or crank)
o Pocket Knife: Leatherman or Gerber Tool
o First Aid Kit/Supplies
o Immunizations up-to-date


DON’T FORGET WATER!!! KEEP ADDING TO YOUR WATER STORAGE EACH WEEK!


Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994)
Thirteenth President of the Church

“The revelation to store food may be as essential to our temporal salvation today as boarding the ark was to the people in the days of Noah” (“Prepare Ye,” Ensign, Jan. 1974, 69).

Week 2 challenge

August 16-22 Buy these items this week for your 72 hour kits.

o Trail Mix/ Dried Fruit
o Crackers/ Cereals (for munching)
o Medication (Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, children’s medication etc.)
o Prescription Medication (for 3 days)
o Glasses/ Contacts
o Lighting (flashlights, lamps, etc.) Don’t forget batteries if it’s not a crank!
o Water-proof matches
o Contact information of family and friends.
o Scriptures (small blue soft cover $2.50 at distribution)
o Bag to put 72 hour kit items in (such as a duffel bag or backpack, which work great) Make sure you can lift/carry it!

DON’T FORGET WATER!!! KEEP ADDING TO YOUR WATER STORAGE EACH WEEK!

WATER, WATER, WATER

August 9, 2010

We would like to have you join us in a 7-week challenge to “Make, Update, or Re-supply” your 72-hour kits. Our Stake leaders, Bishop MacCabe and Sister Swenson are encouraging us to “Do it NOW.” We are excited to have everyone and anyone in the ward work with us, and be able to feel the satisfaction and peace in having your home ready for an unplanned event. The completion of this challenge will not only give you peace of mind, but it will give you the freedom to spend a possible unpleasant situation in “relative” comfort.

You were given a list of items two or three months ago to help you assemble your kits. If you have misplaced your list, we will be sharing it week by week during the challenge or you can go to the blog. Each week we will give you a portion of the list to gather/collect/or buy and put into your personal kits. The items listed will be only suggestions, (ideas to get you going on what you and your family will want in your kits.)

Please don’t become discourage if you can’t add all of the listed items at one time. Baby Steps, do what you can and get the other items when you are able. The idea is to keep you thinking about it! You will have a lot of the items already in your home, so put them in the kit, or where you will be able to get them FAST. If you need to buy something on the list, save up for it, and be watching for the item to go on sale as you shop. We will offer some of the items on the list in a group buy, (we can usually get a great deal in bulk.) If you plan for these purchases you will be able to take advantage of them as they are offered.

List for August 9-15

ITEMS and IDEAS

• Protein/Granola Bars Nut naturals, Kashi, Power bars, Jerky ($1.09-$1.80 per bar)

• Water (1 Gallon/4 liters per person, per day) Store as much as you can. WATER IS VITAL!

• By the way – do you have your water stored in your home? Barrels, jugs, bottles, etc. Click here Drinking Water it will take you to the Church's website where they have excellent instruction for how to store water! click here Water Storage

• Change of clothing Short and long, sleeved shirts, pants, jackets, socks, underwear, etc
• Can opener Make the investment – if you have to open very much cans you will be so glad you have a good one

• Pen and Paper Lots of uses in an emergency (buy a sharpie to mark things)

• Toiletries Roll of toilet paper (remove the center cardboard and flatten), feminine hygiene, tooth brush, tooth paste, floss, chapstick, hand cream, shampoo, comb, hair tie, razor, contacts, contact solution,
contact holder

Now that wasn’t so bad.
Please try to collect or buy what you can this week. Please put it all together, so much easier than looking for everything when you need it. Be the end of September, you will have some pretty awesome 72-hour kits, and hopefully feeling rather peaceful.

Spotlight for August

I was born in Mesa Arizona but we moved to Salem when I was about 4 years old. I basically grew up in this small wonderful town, riding my bike down the middle of the road and sometimes being a bit of a terror. I graduated from Spanish Fork High School and then was off to Snow College where I got a 1-year secretarial degree. I later got my bachelors from Utah State University in secondary education with a business emphasis.

How did I get back to Salem? I was considering buying a home in Spanish Fork when my parents decided to go on a mission. I decided to take care of their home while they were gone, and just couldn’t get myself to move away from Salem when they got home. Many in the Salem 2nd ward know my parents Jim and Ann Tenney.

I don’t have children, but I am a very active aunt and love all my nieces and nephews. I have 5 nephews, and 6 nieces. I have promised all of them that if they graduate from high school with honors I will take them on a trip of their choice in the US. So far I have been to San Diego. And probably next year I will be wondering the streets of Washington DC with two nieces.

I currently work in the software industry. My official title is Software Quality Assurance. Which really means I try the software before it’s available to the general public to make sure it’s working correctly. The company I currently work for gets Police Agencies to send us their crime data, and we put it on a map so the public can see what’s going on in their own neighborhood. Currently Utah County prefers to have a 2 week delay in what’s seen on our map. You can check it out at www.crimereports.com, its free to the public. Salem looks pretty good.

My hobbies, are truly hobbies, I have not mastered any of them yet. I enjoy photography and have hopes to one day take that perfect picture. I enjoy sewing but in straight lines, so I do a little quilting. I enjoy yard work when it’s not hot, and if you look, I have not mastered this one yet either. And every so often I will refinish an old wood item – and there are 4 chairs in the garage that have been waiting for me since I moved into my house 5 years ago.

Cooking tips and other tricks

About Honey:
To substitute honey for sugar in recipes, start by substituting
up to half of the sugar called for. With a little experimentation,
honey can replace all the sugar in some recipes.

When baking with honey, remember the following:
Reduce any liquid called for by 1/4 cup for each cup of honey used.
Add l/2 teaspoon baking soda for each cup of honey used.
Reduce oven temperature by 25 F to prevent over-browning.

Because of its high fructose content, honey has a higher
sweetening power than sugar. This means you can use less honey
than sugar to achieve the desired sweetness.

When measuring honey, coat the measuring cup with non-stick
cooking spray or vegetable oil before adding the honey.
The honey will slide right out.
To retain honey's wonderfully luxuriant texture, always store
it at room temperature; never in the refrigerator. If your honey
becomes cloudy, don't worry. It's just crystallization, a natural
process. Place your honey jar in warm water until the crystals
disappear. If you're in a hurry, place it in a microwave-safe
container and heat it in the microwave on HIGH for 2-3 minutes,
stirring every 30 seconds. Remember, never boil or scorch honey.

August Presidency Message

The council in heaven was called and a plan was presented to all of God’s children. This council was called so that each of us could have the opportunity to choose of our own free will, whether to accept Heavenly Father’s plan or not.
We are all familiar that in this meeting Lucifer sought to amend the plan while Jehovah sustained the plan. All but 1/3 chose to follow the Savior and so the Devil and his followers began their fight and rebellion. Because those who stood with Lucifer chose not to accept our Heavenly Father’s plan, they were cast down to earth where they have continued the war that began that day. This war is in it full fury and one of Lucifer’s primary strategies has been to restrict our agency through the power of earthly governments.
Human history has shown us the result has been misery for most of humankind. President Ezra T. Benson said, “Freedom as we know it has been experienced by perhaps less than one percent of the human family.” Freedom’s moments have been infrequent and exceptional. Sisters, we should be so thankful that we are in that one percent. We are so blessed to live in a nation with freedom and choice!
Two of the greatest statements of Liberty ever written are The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America. One of our most precious possessions is our rights. The Declaration declares us free and independent states and defines political authority, the ends of government, and sovereignty of the people. The Constitution secures those rights.
Thomas Paine, one of our founding fathers said this: ”Rights are not gifts from one man to another, nor from one class of men to another, it is impossible to discover any origin of rights otherwise than in the origin of man. Rights pertain to man in right of his existence and must be equal to every man.” In 2 Nephi 2:27 we read “Men are free according to the flesh..and they are free to choose liberty and eternal life or to choose captivity and death.” Rights are a God-given as part of the divine plan.
We should keep in mind the inspired words of Thomas Jefferson as found in the Declaration of Independence: ”We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
Take some time and read section 134 of the Doctrine and Covenants. It covers the proper role of governments. This tells us that the most important single function of government is to secure the rights and freedoms of individual citizens.
We are superior to government and should remain master over it, not the other way around. Indeed the early pioneers of our church found that a great deal of their time and energy was spent defending themselves, their property, and their liberty. I am thankful for their fight and deep sacrifice that allows me the freedom today to live and worship how and where I choose.
Each of us should be familiar with the inspired Constitution of our country. It’s creation was a miracle, A gift from God. Joseph Smith called it a Heavenly Banner. In a revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith, DC 101:80 the Savior bore his witness to the fact that the final product of the constitution. He said, “I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose.” And again in DC 109:54 “May those principles, which were so honorably and nobly defended, namely, the Constitution of our land, by our fathers, be established forever.”
We definitely can see the Lord’s hand in the shaping of this great country. We owe a great debt of gratitude to these great men and to God who led them in their task. They gave all they possessed, their lives and time and great sacrifice for freedom.
We are fast approaching the moment , (if not already living it), that the prophet Joseph Smith prophesied in July 1840 when he said:
“Even this nation will be on the very verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground, and when the Constitution is upon the brink of ruin, this people will be the staff upon which the nation shall lean, and they shall bear the Constitution away from the very verge of destruction.”
Will we be among those who will “bear the Constitution away from the very verge of destruction? Never before has there been a greater need for strong well informed women in the world to stand for that which is right and moral.
Joseph Smith stated “It is not for you to be led by the women of the world, but for you to lead the women of the world.”
If we desire to be counted among those who will save the constitution, then here are some things that President Benson tells us we must do.
1-We must be righteous and moral. We must live the gospel principles—all of them. Keep the laws of the land, Look to God as our lawgiver, remember the government owes us nothing.
2-We must learn the principles of the Constitution and then abide by its precepts. Have we read it? Have we pondered it? Could we defend it?
3-We must become involved in civic affairs. We cannot be idle spectators. Take part in meetings.
4-We must make our influence felt by our vote, our letters and emails. We must be wisely informed.
He then goes on to say this: “I have faith that the Constitution will be saved as prophesied by Joseph Smith, but it will not be saved in Washington. It will be saved by the citizens of this nation who love and cherish freedom. It will be saved by enlightened members of this Church—Men and women who will subscribe to and abide the principles of the Constitution.

Presidency Message for July

Part of the knowledge we have in the restored gospel is that Jesus Christ will return to the earth again. We don't know exactly when He will come again, but ancient and modern prophets have revealed some signs that can let us know the time is near. Many of these have been fulfilled. Some are still ahead of us. As frightening as some of these signs can be, we can be comforted in knowing that the calamities foretold will be followed by the blessings of the Millenium - 1000 years of peace.

We can compare the Second Coming and the Millenium to childbirth. We have 9 months of preparation, with varying amounts of discomfort. Right before we give birth there is tremendous pain and suffering. But once that baby is born, all pain is forgotten in the joy of having a new child.

To help us through these tough times, we have been counseled by our prophet to prepare ourselves both spiritually and physically. To help us prepare physically, we have been counseled specifically to:
1) Build up a 3 month supply of food we regularly eat
2) Have water stored
3) Build up a financial reserve
4) Have a years supply of more basic foods

We have many resources that can help us prepare spiritually: prayer, scripture study, Family Home Evening, the words of our spiritual leaders, and our temple covenants, among others.

The time to procrastinate our personal and family is past. As a Relief Society we have a plan to systematically help each and every family get prepared. Please watch for the group buys, FHE lessons, and other ideas that we will have available every month. There is power in obedience.

The Vaccarono family in Rome, Italy put it this way:
"The feeling of peace and the desire to be faithful to the commandment given by the Lord through the modern prophet helps us feel the Holy Spirit, to not be afraid, and to see that the signs of the time for the Second Coming of the Lord is a blessing and not something to fear. We rejoice in it. ...it gives us the motivation to be faithful and endure to the end and to be saved and obtain eternal life."