Egypt

It is no secret that we have a pretty impressive group of Young Woman in our ward. These accomplished, "future members of Relief Society " are always doing the neatest things!

One lucky Young Woman (a Laurel) in our ward, Mackenzie Millward, recently spent two adventurous weeks in Egypt! She got to travel with a small handful of High School peers, learn all about the Egyptian culture, and explore a very different and fascinating place.

We are so glad that she was willing to share some photos for all of us "oldies" to enjoy!
(Just click on 5th ward Photo Gallery, on the right, for your virtual Egyptian Tour!!!)

Kay's NEVER FAIL Sweet Rolls

A huge THANK YOU to Sister Kay Ridley who filled in for the "Two Teaspoons" this past week, and taught a wonderful cooking class that was enjoyed by all.

She stepped up to the "plate," (pun intended), and shared with us the secrets to making Sweet Bread. All kinds of Sweet Bread! Throughout the evening, she drew from a seemingly endless supply of dough, and demonstrated first hand how to make the perfect Cinnamon Bun. Of course, the Orange Buns, Cinnamon Knots, Braided Bread, and her own cherished version of Creme Puffs were equally delicious!

Some of the most important tips and secrets she shared that you might want to know are as follows:

1.
When making cinnamon buns, it is important to use lots of Butter!
2.

If you use lots of butter, well you might as well be generous with the sugar too!

3.
You can make anything taste great with enough butter and sugar!!!!

While most of us watched Sister Ridley bake, a few diligent multi-taskers tied a beautiful quilt and prepared some blankets that will be given to those who need them. Thank you ladies!



It was a lovely evening. Not only did we all walk away with extra full tummies, but we each carried within our icing covered hands - the coveted recipe for Kay's NEVER FAIL Sweet Roll Dough. (I put heavy emphasis on the NEVER FAIL part, as she assured us that this dough recipe is absolutely impossible to mess up.)

Thanks Sister Ridley, for sharing it with us all!

Kay's Never Fail Sweet Rolls

Add 6 cups of warm water to a large bowl

Add 1 cup of sugar

Add 4 tablespoons regular yeast

Let rise for 10 minutes

Add 8 cups eggs, well beaten

Add 3 teaspoons salt

Add 1 cup vegetable oil or melted margarine

Add about 20 cups of flour (4 cups at a time) until you have a soft ball.

Knead well, let rise until double in size, form into buns, (or cinnamon buns if that is the case). Let rise again for about 1 hour or until double in size. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes.

NOTE: This recipe will make 4 dozen LARGE cinnamon buns.

Flu Fighting Foods

Pat Hegedus, our Ward Preparedness Specialist was given this article on Flu-Fighting Foods to share with all of us. If any questions, please contact her directly.

It is very worth the reading and taking notes from. Thanks Pat!

Click on the word View, below to read the whole article.

Flu-Fighting Foods.cwk (WP).pdf

37K View Download

'A Woman's Purse'

Written and Recited by Mackenzie Millward

They say the eyes are windows to the soul
But ask any women who really knows,
Whether for better, or for the very worse
A better way inside is through a women’s purse.

Whether a designer bag or one filled with toys
Snacks and general items for silencing noise
The truth remains and the truth stands hard
Whatever the contents we are all Daughters of God.

A busy mother fills her tote with things needed for
The baby and the kids, carpool and church.
A nurturing soul, no doubt, prepared to offer help.
A tear subdued, a bandaged knee, no thought for herself.

Some may say it’s a thankless task
For a child’s years are gone too fast.
But those of us who truly know
Understand that it’s a special role.

A college student, learned but very poor
She lugs around her posessions with her.
‘The rise and Fall of Rome’ a pencil or pen.
Three dollars left from the money she’s spent.

It’s true that her life is hectic and full
But at least it will never be dull.
Her tired eyes shine with a pure, golden light
As she does all she can to follow Christ.

Others still are no strangers to the work force.
Be it a teacher, executive, cashier or nurse.
A lunch to go, a cell phone charged, a key for the door.
Balancing all that she is seems no problem for her.

But sometimes life becomes too much
Which somehow makes us feel we're not enough.
What an idea! If our true selves knew
We would forever fight for the truth.

Our bags may be heavy, much energy’s lost
But is anything heavier than a wooden cross?
The Savior knows our yokes and lives
And promises to make our burdens light.

So be of good cheer, laugh and love
Keep you eye on the ball, but your sights above.
Pack you bag with courage to endure
And know you’re never alone with your Savior standing there.

Chicken Salad Recipe

☞ Here is the requested recipe from the March Relief Society Party!

Chicken Salad Recipe 
2 cups of diced cooked chicken
1/3 to 1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 TBSPS sour cream
1 cup sliced green grapes
2 green onions including some stem sliced
1 rib celery thinly sliced
1/4 tsp salt
dash of pepper
1 TBSP lemon juice
1 tsp honey...or to your taste
1/2 cup walnut pieces (optional)
salad greens (optional)
sliced or diced avacado (optional)
To Put in a Bun: Line the bun first with a lettuce leaf and then top with the chicken salad mix.
♡ Thanks Kay Ridley for this scrumptious recipe!!

Relief Society Party

Ward Relief Society Party March 18,2010

Theme: "Bring your purses full and  your stomachs empty!"


Yummy food to fill our empty stomachs...delicious and beautiful !


If you click right on the pictures they will enlarge .

Display table of antique purses of personal heritage.


*Each round table had a special display of a purse and items that might be carried in them. However the extra best part was the socializing of the Sisters! 
*Husbands of some of the sisters very capably and gallantly served us a perfect supper!
* A short fun spoof fashion show of specialty purses and aptly given description of the special contents was given by MC Lori Brooks. Four year old Katie Leavitt pranced her soft plush princess purse around full of her treasures of jewelry.  (She told her mom that she had been waiting all her life to be in a fashion show. So cute!) Teen Dalys Fletcher showed her classy little purple purse and most of her favorites inside were purple too. Mother of 4 young children, Tanis Hardy had a major heavy mother's/kids bag full of emergency and needful items. It weighed more than her young daughter. (Sorry Tannis that your picture turned our blurry...my fault.) 
Kay Ridley (councilor in the RS presidency), toted the presidency R.S. bag. It is passed from presidency to presidency...so beware when it turns up outside your door! MacKenzie Millward subbed in for Tracy Russell who had brought a family sports outing bag...fishing pole and many more sports beachy items, plus picnic cooler and the works! Gayla Holt showed off her grandma purse with its' many compartments that held goodies to eat, draw, color, gum chew,and so on! 
*A group table purse game was played with points for certain items on a list and then bonus points for any items that no other ladies had. Competition was tough...Edra Pillings table won the cute prizes ...see their table picture! HOWEVER... we now know who needs to clean out their purses the most!!!
* Young Woman MacKenzie Millward was asked to compose a poem about 'purses and women'. It was so special and heartwarming, It concluded with how we need to fill our lives with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Her poem will be posted at a later date, when we get a copy.)
* Memory lane back to some early prominent General RS Presidents, to read from their biography...Louise Creed represented Emma Smith; Myrna Remington spotlighted Eliza R. Snow, Dianne Oertli honored Louise Y. Robison, and Wendy Low summed up how Relief Society Sisters today and over the decades have more in common than we have differences. Truly we are 'sisters' who love our family and the Lord and sincerely desire to do our best at all times!

Close up view of the antique purses...real shells, real fur and skins. The dainty white link purse in the wooden case, is at least 100 years old!! Amazing!! 


*We watched a Commemoration Video: "Relief Society An Enduring Legacy". Go to lds.org to view it.
*This memorable evening concluded with Sharon Schaffer singing "As Sisters in Zion". As the song progressed, sisters at the tables rose to sing with her, UNITY! (Sharon, sorry, your pic turned out blurry and not as nice as I wanted, so I did not post it as I valued my life more...)


Noteworthy: There is a certain Primary secretary in our ward who was coveting the cowgirl saddle bag purse from the pawn shop. Perhaps the Bishop will include it in the Primary budget for her to carry her primary things. This spunky lady also did NOT want her picture taken. I never noticed until I got home and uploaded the pictures on my computer and saw what she did when I took the picture. See if you can spot her at Edra's winning table?!
***THANKYOU TO ALL WHO DID ANYTHING and EVERYTHING TO HELP CREATE THIS FUN AND MEMORABLE RELIEF SOCIETY PARTY!

West Stake Relief Society Social

West Stake Relief Society Brunch/Program February 27/10
Tables in the Stake Cultural Hall were decrated so lovely with hot air balloons as center pieces to match the theme of the event. Brunch was so yummy and very plentiful!
After the brunch, the RS Sisters moved into the chapel for a special and uplifting program.
The first speaker was Carolyn Merrill Leavitt. She is the RS president in the Leavitt Ward and has had many experiences of grief and trials in her life. When her eldest son was in grade two he was killed in an avalanche while skidooing with family and friends. Several years ago Carolyn's first husband was killed in a farming accident, that left her the widow of four children. Carolyn married Larry Leavitt, whose wife had died, He has five children, but only the two boys are left to raise with Carolyn's children.
Carolyn, based her remarks on Peter (Math. 14). As Peter kept his eyes on the SAvior and walked on the water, he was focused. The wind in his hair, the water drenching his clothes did not bother him but then he became distracted, his faith wavered, fear took control and only then did Peter begin to sink. When Peter cried out to the Savior for help, the Savior immediately outstretched his hand to save him. LIKEWISE, our turbulent waters of the world at times overwhelm us and when called upon, the Savior stretches out his hand to us.
Joseph Smith implored us, while he was suffering and so humble to focus on the Savior no matter what.
We know how to stay close to the Savior but do we in reality do so?
Find quiet times to fulfill yourself and to serve others.
ASK HIM every morning " What do you want me to say and do today?" Miracles can happen. If you want a blessing, need a blessing ...BE A BLESSING!
Peter in the boat, sees the Lord on the shore. He does not wait for the boat to dock. He throws himself into the turbulent sea and swims immediately to him. Do we go to the Savior immediately or sit in the 'boat' waiting? We need to turn to Jesus immediately in our lives.
It is an ongoing process. Invite the Savior daily to be with you.
Quote: Brad Wilcox: "Redeeming Book": Let the Savior in to our lives enough to refine ourselves enough to change and follow Him. Redemption is eternal if we will allow Him in.
Quote: Joseph Wirthlin: No grief, no nothing is beyond the Saviors human touch. He understands everything! 
The Savior LOVES US, let Him let YOU know.


2nd Speaker: Brother Logan Zemp. Currently the Cardston Alberta Temple Recorder. Licensed and educated as a counsellor. Formerly a Seminary and Institute Director in many areas including Cardston at one time. 
We KNEW we were to be tried and tested before we came to this earth. Cardston is a great blessing compared to the rest of the world.
Modesty and values are the tools that Satan will use to destroy the woman and Young Woman in the world.
President Hinckley quoted as saying the world is more wicked now than back in Sodom and Gomorrah's time. The world is not destroyed due to the temples and the faithful.
Showdown between the great good and the great evil. Pornography is a 55 billion dollar business. 
SPIRITUAL LIFTS: 1) Receiving priesthood blessings: dedicating your home; individual family blessings each new year and so on. We do not use them enough. 2) Music: good music and hymns keep our emotional and physical reservoirs full. 3) Temple Attendance: Covenant relationship with Christ. 4) Sacrament: is the gift of repentance. Taking of the sacrament improperly makes us weak and sickly spiritually.  The bread, reminds us to keep the covenants; the water reminds us there is mercy. Each Sunday the sacrament is there for us to recovenant and to recommit. 5) Reading Scriptures: the power of the scriptures is to 'dig in', cross reference, read the Bible Dictionary and so on. Dig for real power in your life... reading the scriptures properly opens the door to real personal revelation! 6) Family: friends come and go but family is eternal. If your personal family is not available, then your ward family is huge in your life. 7) Remember Who You Are: Quote: John Taylor: Before, Now and After...We are literally his children. 8) Prayer: should not be superficial and vain repetition or mechanical, LISTEN earnestly. The Spirit impressions...act upon them. It is a learned skill. Quote Russell Nelson: Learning the skills of prayer and learning to discern and have the Spirit. Pay attention to feelings and how in harmony you are with the Brethren. Pay the Price: Act. Listen do. Atonement: Act as one with the Savior. Quote of Neal Maxwell: be submissive as a little child. Real spiritual power comes as we put all our sins on the alter, even the little ones. It will empower you. The Savior expects us to be charitable and kind.
9) Real Spiritual Freedom: is giving our agency freely to God. Obedience to God. Refining our agency. 10) Service: brotherly kindness. Charity to be like him. President Monson's favorite secular play is 'Les Miserables', as he enjoys see ing the charitable acts within. 
Help each other become more and more like the Savior. Our NATURE needs to be like our Savior. Bruce Hafen quote: " Charity is the ultimate to become like the Savior. Act as one with Him. Issiah says: Be faithful in the covenants of Isreal. Wait upon the Lord. 
The Savior is more charitable and merciful than the BEST of his disciples. CHARITY CORRECTS A MULTITUDE OF MISTAKES!

A Very Fun Party

REMINDER:  
A very, very fun, Relief Society Party is coming up this week...(did I mention very fun?)

   *THURSDAY, March 18th

   *6 p.m. Temple Street (don't be late ☺)

 Purse Theme: 

"Bring Your Purses Full and Your Stomachs Empty!!"

See you there, with your purse!

Thank you to the "2 Teaspoons", Kari Bunnage and Tracy Russell, for their charming, chuckle filled presentation and the scrumptious recipe!! They wore pearl earrings and necklaces reminiscent of the famous chef Julia Childs. 

The Ward RS Presidency first presented them with their own embroidered "2 Teaspoons" chef aprons to wear during the cooking class. Well done!

The lucky draws of a dough cutter and raised dough were won by Beth Rosenval and Martha Daniels

The next cooking class with the "2 Teaspoons will be held in April.

Buddy Ideas to use with your Young Women

Buddy Ideas to use with your Young Woman Buddy:
Some of you volunteered to be a buddy to one of our Ward Young Women. How fun is that?! We have been requested to post some possible ideas you could do with your new buddy. We wish you many womderful memories in the making.
REMINDER: This is about focusing on the Young Women not on the adults. Keep conversations 90% about them and always be positive and encouraging like you Sisters always are.
* Go to any sports, music or speaking events etc. that they are participating in and cheer them on.
* Pick her up after school and take her home for an after school snack and chat.
* Have a photo date and share the same time line pictures...baby pics through whenever.
* Go to a chick flick movie or rent a chick flick video to watch together.
* Phone calls to say 'I am thinking of you...asking her to share some of her day with you.'
* Seek them out at church every Sunday and give her a hug.
* Mail her a surprise note now and again.
* Remember her birthday and her unbirthday ( 6 month between birthdays.)
* Find out her interests and enjoy some with her. Go for a walk.
* Do a service project together.
* Library date: see her book interests and she can see yours.
* Seek her advice on matters on how to get close and stay close to your grandkids.
* Together make up questions you want to know about it each other. Cut them up, fold and put them in a container. Pull out a couple of them on certain visits to get to know each other better.
* Show an interest in her YW in Excellent goals...help her achieve them. Ask her to share her YW book on those she has achieved to get to know her better.
* Make a 'time capsule' together and it could even just be an old metal canister from the Bargain Bar and put in items and newsclippings and a letter to be opened in a year.
* Memorize the YW motto with her.
* Learn how to do LDS Indexing and do it together.
* Date to go to the LDS Book Store and check out all the new books etc for fun AND go to the Distribution Center and see their new things too.
Hope some of these ideas help. If you have done some things with your YW Buddy that was successful please share on Sundays during the 'Good News\ moments or let Sister Brooks know so she can share for you. Hugs to you all for sharing you life with your YW Buddy.

♡THANKYOU to all the Sister Buddies who helped out the Young Women with their pajama project on Tuesday February 9th !!

♥Such a fun time was had by all who attended and the pajamas were sewn. Yeah! 

♡Thanks to all the helping Ward Sisters for the food, fun, and fantastic accomplishments!

'LIVING ON LESS' Ideas: (Part One)

♡Whole, fresh foods can be less expensive than a standard "supermarket diet". Buy from farmers 

markets or vegetable stands or grow, catch or pick it yourself. Look for sources of real food in 

your area and learn to make prepared foods yourself. 

♡Don't buy anything in cans, boxes or processed. Make your own everything from scratch. Don't eat takeaway, in restaurants or from salad bars. 

♡Make your own canned soup substitute. 

♡Buy corn on the cob in bulk in season, cut off kernels and freeze, or make creamed corn: Slice 

off kernels and scrape cob with back of knife to release "milk" with the corn kernels. Place in cast iron pan with milk and butter and cook slowly on low heat until it thickens up. Add salt and pepper to taste. Can be frozen. [Also buy lots of frozen veggies when on sale and dehydrate and store in jars until needed. M] 

♡Buy rice, whole-grain grains and beans in bulk. Make sure they are well soaked and drained 

before eating. (Don't buy ground flour in bulk, buy it fresh-ground or in packages.) 

♡Have a garden, if possible. If you live in a small city apartment, grow something in containers near the windows. See Container Gardening. 

♡12 foods you don't have to buy organic: broccoli, eggplant (aubergine), cabbage, bananas, kiwis, asparagus, frozen peas, mangoes, pineapples, frozen corn, avocadoes and onions. Because these fruits and vegetables do not need a lot of pesticides to grow, they are usually low in chemicals even if they are grown conventionally and sold in supermarkets. When buying from a supermarket, wash thoroughly and/or peel first. 

♡Foods grown conventionally but sold in small markets will have less chemicals than those sold through large supermarkets, which require their growers to add pesticides whether they are needed or not. 

Part Two coming soon...

Submitted by Pat Hegedus, Ward Specialist (Ideas are from a handout by Maxine Easthope.)

Chicken a la King Recipe

Sisters, here is the recipe  you have been asking for since the R.S. Christmas Dinner...it is easy to make and heavenly to eat. Enjoy!!
Chicken a la King Recipe
Cooked chicken cut into pieces, enough to fill a gallon bucket (icecream bucket\0
3 Cans of Cream of Chicken Soup
1 Can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 Bunch of Celery ( about 8-10 stalks )
1 1kg bag of frozen Peas
Whipping Cream
-Chop CELERY, add just enough water to barely cover the celery. Cook until celery is done.Do not drain. Set aside.
-Mix CHICKEN and SOUPS, add celery mixture. Stir and cook until mixture is hot. (make sure you stir it often so that it does not burn.) 
-Thaw PEAS a bit under hot water. Drain. Add to mixture. 
Cook for another 1/2 hour. 
-Add CREAM to the mixture during the last 15 minutes or so. The amount of cream depend on how thin you want it. ( I usually add about 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup ) Use more if it is too thick. It will NOT taste the same if you use milk!
** This recipe freezes very well! 
-Serve this yummy recipe over Puff pastry (croissants), small tart shells, or toast, noodles, and even rice,
This recipe serves about 20 - 25 depending on the size of the shell you use.
♥Thanks Sandy Pierson for submitting this recipe for our blog site.

The Invisible Woman: Short Video

The Invisible Woman... (Mini Video)
Thank you, Wendy Low, for bringing this mini video, 'The Invisible Woman', to my attention and wanting to share it with the Sisters in our ward.
*It is so uplifting and worth your time watching. Perhaps you might like to share it with your own family and friends.
Just click on the blue words...'Invisible Woman' below to watch.

The Invisible Woman

www.youtube.com

Nicole's sketch "The Invisible Woman" brings a powerful message of hope to every taken-for-granted woman in today's world. This video shared with permission from Fresh Brewed Life, Inc. and Nicole Johnson