Sunday, December 14, 2014

December Relief Society Activity

On the Agenda
Progressive Dinner

On the Menu
Various appetizers, soups and desserts

Last week we met at Sister Hepworth's home for appetizers, walked to Sister Jones' house for soup and rolls, and ended up at Sis. Dart's house for desserts. It was a wonderful opportunity to take a break from the craziness of the holiday season and come together as sisters to socialize and enjoy good food.
 Sister Harris and Sister Fleener came ready for the festivities!



Thanks to everyone who opened their homes and to those who helped provide the food. It was a nice evening!

Thursday, November 13, 2014

November Activity

On the Agenda
Learning how to crochet around a handkerchief for the Phoenix Temple Dedication

On the Menu
Zuppa Toscana, Garlic Bread, Fruit cup, and banana bread

We are all so excited to have a temple so close to home and the dedication is this Sunday! Sister Britt Davis taught us all how to crochet around a white handkerchief that we can use at the temple dedication.



It was a fun evening learning new skills and spending time together!

Monday, October 27, 2014

Super Saturday

On the Agenda
Crafting, socializing, crepe-Making class, sanding, and more crafting!

On the Menu
Crepes, ham and turkey sandwiches, salad, sweet potato chips

The Bellair Ward Super Saturday was as fun as ever! There were a lot of great crafts to choose from, yummy food to eat, and wonderful people to visit with.

Krystal Anderson taught a crepe-making class and then we sampled them. They were delicious! Recipes are below :)






Here are the recipes:
 
Super Saturday was a great success! Thanks to Jenna Killpack, Krystal Anderson, Annie Stott and everyone else who helped out with all the crafts, food, security, etc.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Meet Carly Mathers


Thank you for sharing Carly! We're excited to get to know you.


My name is Carly Mathers. I am from Madera Ranchoes, California which is basically 15 minutes from Fresno. I went to Ricks Jr. College, UVSC, NCSC and UVU (uvsc)  I finally decided on a major ( @ UVU) after switching it twice. I was getting a bachelors in Deaf studies and going to get an interpreter certificate this is before we moved here.

I met my husband Brett Mathers on LDS Singles in 2001 and so we had our first date in September, got engaged in November and got married in February 2002. We moved to Ohio where he is from after we both lost of jobs after the Olympics ended.We then moved to New York after our first daughter was born so Brett could go to Culinary School. We moved back to Ohio while Brett did his externship in New Orleans and after our second baby girl was born we went back to New York for him to graduate from C.I.A. and then moved to South Carolina. I am going into too much detail but we basically moved 8 times in 10 years=twice across the USA. Brett is in the D.O. program right now at Midwestern.

2008: I got diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis
2009: I got diagnosed with Epilepsy
​ 

Old jobs: have worked for McDonalds for 12-15 years on and off. I have worked as a travel agent and also screen printer various kinds of shirts including motorcycle shirts and I went to Sturgis with my job to sell them.
Career: mother of 3 kids...well basically our pure bred black lab is a kid
Callee is 11 and Morgan is 9 and they were both born in the same hospital as Brett was in Ohio.

Favorite Dessert: No Bake Jello Cheesecake (plain)
Hobbies: love reading, was going to study Spanish and learn how to play the piano/keyboard till we got a puppy. {:-)
Season: Springtime in any state!!! 
Scripture: Alma 41:10
Hymn: I believe in Christ and Called to Serve

One of my very first testimony strengthening experiences was in 1996. I was going to UVSC and my father had just got killed in a car accident. At that time I was in apartments that were close to BYU so I was lucky enough to go to a BYU ward. Well I had stopped going to church for I think several months. Those wonderful LDS BYU students started giving me cards, stuffed animals, flowers etc. I was soo touched that to this day I try not to miss church for any reason besides if I was dying. Another time was in a UVU institute New Testament class and I have never had a stronger testimony about Jesus Christ since that class.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Meet Megan Potter


Thank you for sharing Megan! We are excited to get to know you a little better.

HI! I’m Megan Potter and I’m from Washington State. I was born in Seattle, but we moved to Spokane when I was about 10, so I claim Spokane and my parents still live there and I would love to settle anywhere in Washington to be close to family. I have a combined family with 2 brothers, 4 step-brothers, 1 sister,  1 step-dad and of course my mom. I love my step-family!! I went to BYU-Idaho in ‘02-‘07 and got my degree in Social Work which I love! I served a mission in Spain, Bilbao in ‘05-’06 and loved it, and I love Spanish. I hope to go back someday! That’s how I met my hubby (sortof!). His sister was my favorite mission companion! She is also from Washington (central) so we planned a double date with our brothers when we all got home from our missions. He was serving in Uruguay at the same time as I was in Spain. My brother was serving in Russia.  My husband Robert and I met about 9 months after we got home from our missions (double date with our siblings), and that was it, the rest is history! (our siblings didn’t end up working out-everyone always asks about that part so I had to mention it). Robert and I have been married for 6 years and have 2 boys, Brady (5) and Catcher (2). It is SO fun having my mission companion as my sister in law! She is my best friend☺ 
My husband is in the Optometry program at Midwestern (3rd year). I have taken a temporary leave from Social work to be a Stay-at-home-mom. Since we moved to AZ  I was determined to lose my baby weight, I became a Beachbody Coach, reached my goal, and now work a couple hours a day from home helping others to get healthy. Health and helping others is my passion! 
If I had an hour of free time I would probably be sitting on the couch resting (or on the internet, let’s be honest)! OR I would be working, quilting, reading, baking, or visiting friends. 
I’ve had countless experiences that have strengthened my testimony including seminary, girls camp, testimony meetings, Relief society, my mission, general conference, and attending the temple. Every hard experience in my life has strengthened my testimony that God loves us, cares for us, and has a plan for us.  The gospel is important to me because it gives me hope! Hope of family for eternity and hope of forgiveness. Hope of ultimate truth and knowledge, and eternal life and happiness.

My Favorites:
Dessert –Frozen yogurt!
Hobbies – Camping, hiking/backpacking, quilting, cooking, baking, talking with friends☺
Season – Summer or anytime I can be outside enjoying the weather
Scriptures –These scriptures are on my missionary plaque. I love them both because they talk about the essence of this life and of the gospel: JOY!!

2 Nephi 2:25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.
and 1 Nephi 8:12
And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit.
Hymn – Joseph Smith’s first prayer (P.S. This is way hard to choose!)

Can’t wait to get to know you all!! I know our paths cross for a reason!

Sunday, September 14, 2014

September Relief Society Meeting

On the Agenda
Two classes: Time Management/Goal Setting and Hair Tips and Styles

On the Menu
Shredded pork sandwiches, Salads, Cookies (recipes posted below)

Class One: Time Management and Goal Setting was taught by Megan Potter. What is your vision for your life? Do you have a dream? Megan gave us steps to follow to achieve any goal we make. One bit of wisdom she shared with us is to make goals that are SMART-Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timed. Thanks Megan for all the inspiring information!



Here are the handouts that walked us through the goal setting process (click on the to make them bigger):





Class Two: Hair Tips and Styles, taught by Jodi Crosby. We learned many useful tips such as how often to wash our hair, useful products to use in different situations, how to create texture and volume, and how to do a fishtail braid. Thanks to Jodi and her beautiful models!



And here are the recipes: 
  
Frog Eye Salad 

Allrecipes.com

1 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 3/4 cups unsweetened pineapple juice
2 eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3 quarts water
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 (16 ounce) package acini di pepe pasta
3 (11 ounce) cans mandarin oranges, drained
2 (20 ounce) cans pineapple tidbits, drained
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 cup miniature marshmallows


In a sauce pan, combine sugar, flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pineapple juice and eggs. Stir and cook over medium heat until thickened. Remove from heat; add lemon juice and cool to room temperature.

Bring water to a boil, add oil, remaining salt and cook pasta until al dente. Rinse under cold water and drain.

In a large bowl, combine the pasta, egg mixture, mandarin oranges, pineapple and whipped topping. Mix well and refrigerate overnight or until chilled. Before serving add marshmallows and coconut. Toss and serve.


Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
(Garnishwithlemon.com) 
Prep time,15 mins. Cook time 20 mins Total time 35 mins
Recipe type: sides and salads
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
                   2 cups water
                   1 cup uncooked quinoa
                   cup red wine vinegar
                   ¼ cup olive oil
                   1 small red onion, diced
                   1 red pepper, diced
                   2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
                   ½ cup chopped kalamata olives
                   ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
                   ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
                   1 tsp salt
                   ½ tsp freshly ground pepper
                   Juice of one lemon
Instructions
.    Bring quinoa and water to a boil over medium heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes or until water is absorbed in quinoa. Fluff with a fork and cool for 5 minutes.
.    Add the oil and vinegar and let quinoa come to room temperature.
.    Add onion, tomatoes, pepper, olives, cilantro, and salt and pepper. Stir gently. Add feta cheese and gently combine. Chill for 2 hours to let flavors combine. Squeeze lemon juice over salad right before serving to brighten flavors.

Mrs. Field’s Chocolate Chip Cookies
Megan Paulus (via Dana Erikson), Bellair Ward Cookbook ,Dec 1999, p. 156
2 ½ Cups Sugar
2 Cups packed brown Sugar
1 lb Butter
Cream together sugars and butter, then add:
3 Eggs
1 Tb Vanilla
Beat 3-4 minutes then add
6 (to 7) cups of flour
½ tsp salt
1 ½ tsp baking soda.
Beat Well, it will be very dry.
Add
4 cup chocolate chips,
2 cups nuts (optional)
1 cup shredded coconut (optional)

Bake for 11 minutes at 375˚

Note from Dana Erikson: I froze my cookie dough before I baked it, that helped it cook chunky. I also had to bake it a minute or two longer since it was frozen.