I just wanted to call your attention to the sidebar where there is now a feature where you can enter your email address, and you will receive an email every time there is a new post! That way, you'll never miss a thing!
And by the way, I wanted to say that I have been in absolute awe of our ward over the past little bit. Watching everyone step up and reach out has been truly inspiring. Thanks to you all for your amazing examples of service and sacrifice!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Recipe and Report
So... Better late than never, right??
Our March 10th Relief Society Meeting went very well, thanks to our great demonstrators.
Sis Hilbig showed us that fresh garden salsa doesn't have to be intimidating - and recipe? Who needs it? Throw in peppers, tomatoes, cilantro, salt and carrots?! in the blender and you have a fantastic healthy salsa! If anyone needs or wants a more specific list of ingredients, let us know, and I'll get one posted. Seriously, a very fun demo, and a very yummy salsa.
Sis. Jensen showed us how to use fresh basil in a delish pasta salad. I for one am a total chicken about trying new things (like fresh herbs - I know, I'm HOW old, right?) but this was di-vine!
Avocado Basil Pasta
8 oz. dried bow tie or wagon wheel pasta
2 medium avocados, halved, pitted, and chopped up
6 slices crisp cooked bacon, crumbled
2/3 cup chopped fresh basil
2 Tbs. lemon juice
1 Tbs. olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/8 tsp. salt
1/2 cup finely shredded pecorino romano cheese
*Cook pasta according to package, drain.
*Meanwhile, in large bowl, combine the avocado, bacon, basil, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Add hot pasta and toss to combine. Transfer to serving bowl, sprinkle with cheese. Serves 4.
So good!
We then planted our own basil seeds in a mug to sit in our kitchen window.
Directions:
Fill mug with small rocks until about 1/4 full to allow for drainage.
Put potting soil on rocks until mug is about 3/4 full.
Plant seeds in soil.
Tips:
To speed seed sprouting, presoak seeds in hot water 24 hours before planting.
Plant 3 or 4 seeds per mug, spaced at least 1/2 inch apart.
The seedlings will need light, so place near a south or east facing window. Keep soil semi-moist.
We were so pleased with our great turnout. Thanks to all who attended! We had so much fun!
Our March 10th Relief Society Meeting went very well, thanks to our great demonstrators.
Sis Hilbig showed us that fresh garden salsa doesn't have to be intimidating - and recipe? Who needs it? Throw in peppers, tomatoes, cilantro, salt and carrots?! in the blender and you have a fantastic healthy salsa! If anyone needs or wants a more specific list of ingredients, let us know, and I'll get one posted. Seriously, a very fun demo, and a very yummy salsa.
Sis. Jensen showed us how to use fresh basil in a delish pasta salad. I for one am a total chicken about trying new things (like fresh herbs - I know, I'm HOW old, right?) but this was di-vine!
Avocado Basil Pasta
8 oz. dried bow tie or wagon wheel pasta
2 medium avocados, halved, pitted, and chopped up
6 slices crisp cooked bacon, crumbled
2/3 cup chopped fresh basil
2 Tbs. lemon juice
1 Tbs. olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/8 tsp. salt
1/2 cup finely shredded pecorino romano cheese
*Cook pasta according to package, drain.
*Meanwhile, in large bowl, combine the avocado, bacon, basil, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Add hot pasta and toss to combine. Transfer to serving bowl, sprinkle with cheese. Serves 4.
So good!
We then planted our own basil seeds in a mug to sit in our kitchen window.
Directions:
Fill mug with small rocks until about 1/4 full to allow for drainage.
Put potting soil on rocks until mug is about 3/4 full.
Plant seeds in soil.
Tips:
To speed seed sprouting, presoak seeds in hot water 24 hours before planting.
Plant 3 or 4 seeds per mug, spaced at least 1/2 inch apart.
The seedlings will need light, so place near a south or east facing window. Keep soil semi-moist.
We were so pleased with our great turnout. Thanks to all who attended! We had so much fun!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Schedule Change!!
Sisters, please note that beginning with our March activity, we are changing the dates of the Relief Society Meetings to be the 2nd Thursday of each month. So, Thurs. March 10 is our next activity. Bring a mug to plant in.
Please help us spread the word - get in touch with your visiting teaching sisters, email your friends - we don't want anyone left out of the loop.
We understand that this day may not be ideal for some, and great for others - but due to the need for accommodating a new ward in the building, we feel that this is a necessary change. We appreciate your efforts to come to our activities.
Please help us spread the word - get in touch with your visiting teaching sisters, email your friends - we don't want anyone left out of the loop.
We understand that this day may not be ideal for some, and great for others - but due to the need for accommodating a new ward in the building, we feel that this is a necessary change. We appreciate your efforts to come to our activities.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Goal Program 2011
At our meeting last Tuesday, we presented our theme "A Virtuous Woman - Price Above Rubies". With that, we also introduced a year-long program that is similar to the Personal Progress program the Young Women follow.
As a Relief Society Committee (along with the Presidency) we have chosen five areas of focus that will help us to develop into even more virtuous women. We are encouraging all sisters to set and accomplish five goals throughout the course of the year. This is completely personal, and completely private. No one will monitor or approve your choice of goal in these areas.
The areas of focus are: Faith, Temple Worship, Family Living, Education, and Service.
We have prepared booklets with goal suggestions, and a place for you to make a few notes to yourself.
At the end of the year, those who reached their goals, will be given a pendant that will serve as a physical reminder that you accomplished something worth celebrating.
Please contact a member of the Presidency or Committee if you need a book.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Far Above Rubies
Proverbs 31:10-31
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Daunting, right?? A virtuous woman has an adoring husband (whom she is never cross with), she crafts, she cooks gourmet international fare, she wakes up before the sun to cook a hearty breakfast for her family. She is a real estate expert, and master gardener. She works out. She runs a bustling home-based business (an etsy shop, of course). She does charity work, she has her food storage. She sews clothing for herself and her family. Her husband is bishop. She is always honest and forthright. She always knows the right thing to say, and is NEVER cross with her children. Her home is always clean, laundry done, and scriptures read. Her children and husband love and appreciate and acknowledge everything that she does.
That is how this scripture has always read to me before. BUT. Towards the end of last year, I had the thought that this passage of scripture should be the basis for our activities in Relief Society this year. Not because we all need to be all of these things, but because we all are already some of these things. I have a favorite quote from President Hinckley:
"I feel to invite women everywhere to rise to the great potential within you. I do not ask that you reach beyond your capacity. I hope you will not nag yourselves with thoughts of failure. I hope you will not try to set goals far beyond your capacity to achieve. I hope you will simply do what you can in the best way you know. If you do so, you will witness miracles come to pass."
This quote encompasses what I feel about this scripture. We all have the potential to be great. Divine even. But all too often we allow thoughts of discouragement because of our weaknesses to become paralyzing, and we cease moving forward. I have found this to be true in my own life, and it is a difficult thing to overcome. We all have room to improve, and to grow, but don't let the things that you perceive as weakness or failure in yourself negate the amazing qualities that are already yours. My hope is that we can be a source of strength to each other. That we can appreciate all of the many different ways that there are of being virtuous women.
This year, I hope that by using Proverbs 31:10-31 as a theme, we can focus not on having to be ALL of these things to be considered virtuous, but that by being some of these things, we already are virtuous.
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Daunting, right?? A virtuous woman has an adoring husband (whom she is never cross with), she crafts, she cooks gourmet international fare, she wakes up before the sun to cook a hearty breakfast for her family. She is a real estate expert, and master gardener. She works out. She runs a bustling home-based business (an etsy shop, of course). She does charity work, she has her food storage. She sews clothing for herself and her family. Her husband is bishop. She is always honest and forthright. She always knows the right thing to say, and is NEVER cross with her children. Her home is always clean, laundry done, and scriptures read. Her children and husband love and appreciate and acknowledge everything that she does.
That is how this scripture has always read to me before. BUT. Towards the end of last year, I had the thought that this passage of scripture should be the basis for our activities in Relief Society this year. Not because we all need to be all of these things, but because we all are already some of these things. I have a favorite quote from President Hinckley:
"I feel to invite women everywhere to rise to the great potential within you. I do not ask that you reach beyond your capacity. I hope you will not nag yourselves with thoughts of failure. I hope you will not try to set goals far beyond your capacity to achieve. I hope you will simply do what you can in the best way you know. If you do so, you will witness miracles come to pass."
This quote encompasses what I feel about this scripture. We all have the potential to be great. Divine even. But all too often we allow thoughts of discouragement because of our weaknesses to become paralyzing, and we cease moving forward. I have found this to be true in my own life, and it is a difficult thing to overcome. We all have room to improve, and to grow, but don't let the things that you perceive as weakness or failure in yourself negate the amazing qualities that are already yours. My hope is that we can be a source of strength to each other. That we can appreciate all of the many different ways that there are of being virtuous women.
This year, I hope that by using Proverbs 31:10-31 as a theme, we can focus not on having to be ALL of these things to be considered virtuous, but that by being some of these things, we already are virtuous.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Coming Up...
I have been so bad about keeping up with this blog! I apologize. I should have made sure the announcement about our upcoming Relief Society Meeting long ago. But, better late than never, right?
Our first activity of 2011 is on Tuesday, February 1 at 7 p.m. at the church.
We will be kicking off the theme that we have chosen for the year, as well as introducing a fun year-long program that we are really excited about.
Come and see what it's all about!
Our first activity of 2011 is on Tuesday, February 1 at 7 p.m. at the church.
We will be kicking off the theme that we have chosen for the year, as well as introducing a fun year-long program that we are really excited about.
Come and see what it's all about!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Merry Christmas!
Sisters, with these last few days before Christmas, just a little reminder to make sure you have touched base with those whom you visit teach.
May this Christmas be full of the presence that count.
**p.s. please note the side bar regarding January's activity. thank you for all of your support this year!
May this Christmas be full of the presence that count.
**p.s. please note the side bar regarding January's activity. thank you for all of your support this year!
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