Getting Our Jam On!

We had such a fun night for our July RS Activity!

The tables were set so beautifully! To take advantage of our beautiful summer weather, we set up outside!

We enjoyed yummy rolls with homemade jams of all kinds. Scones, muffins, smoothies and more! We had the most fun just catching up and getting to know one another. Thanks everyone for your contributions and for coming out and supporting your sisters!

Here are a couple bread recipes that were served with our delicious jam!

Melt In Your Mouth Rolls (recipe from Carol Linde)

Put the following into a bowl:

3/4 Cup warm water

1 tsp. sugar

3 Tbsp. yeast

Put the following into another bowl and mix well:

6 Tbsp. butter

3/4 Cup hot water

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 can (13 oz.) evaporated milk

1/2 Cup sugar

Add to the yeast mixture, stir and add 3 beaten eggs (beat well) and 6 - 6 1/2 Cups flour.  Punch down and knead 10 minutes, using more flour if necessary.  Roll out and cut with biscuit cutter or round glass.  Dip in butter and fold over onto cookie sheet, pinching down one edge.  Can also cut into wedges and roll into crescents.  Let rise to 3 times larger.  Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 8 minutes.  Watch closely or they will burn.

Pao De Queijo (Portuguese recipe that has NO GLUTEN)

1 Cup milk

1/2 Cup vegetable oil

1 tsp. salt

2 Cups tapioca flour

2 eggs

3 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese

Mix all ingredients in a blender.  Spray mini muffin cups with Pam or other oil-based spray; Fill cups 1/2 full with liquid.  Bake 20 minutes at 350.

For variety, play around with cheese, spices, jalapeno's, etc.  They are also good opened like cream puffs and stuffed.

Getting to Know...

Our ward primary president, Michelle Gordon! She was born and raised in Ogden, Utah. She met Scott while he was stationed at HillAFB at the gym. After they were married, they have lived in California, Texas,  Maryland, and Korea. After he got out of the Air force they moved back to Utah and lived there for 12 years before moving to Bellingham 8 years ago. They are celebrating their 26th wedding anniversary this month and have 5 girls and 2 boys ranging in age from 22-6. She has four biological children, Kenzie, Katie, Kelsie, and Ryan; and three adopted, Jayden, Destina, and Avrie. 

Here is Michelle and her wonderful family!

Her favorite food is dessert of any kind, and pizza.  She loves photography, traveling, reading, and practicing yoga, but her favorite thing is being a mom and spending time with her family.  She is grateful for the opportunities to serve in the church. She has had callings in every organization and loved most of them but, of course, her favorite right now is being in the primary working with children. She loves going to church every week and spending time with all the cute kids in our ward. 
As if Michelle didn't have her hands full, she also works for the State Foster Care program as a Visiting Supervisor. I have known Michelle since she moved to Bellingham, and if there is one thing I would have to pick out that I admire about her is what a hard worker she is, and how she has taught all her children by example to be hard workers as well! Here is her brief testimony. We are so glad for the Gordons and their examples to us in the ward!
 I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that we are led by prophets who love us and want the best for us. I have a very strong testimony of eternal families I know that we will be with our loved ones who have passed away and this gives me much comfort and peace. I know that life is full of trials but that we can weather any storm if we rely on the Savior to carry our burdens when they become too heavy. I know prayers are answered and that Heavenly Father and Jesus love each one of us, no matter our circumstances or past mistakes.

Berry Festival!

PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR BERRY FESTIVAL, THURSDAY, JULY 18, 7pm at the church! Here are a few samples of what we are bringing! Come sample these and other delicious recipes. Smoothies for all!

Refrigerator Jam (Sugar-free, Pectin-free).  Makes 2 +/- Cups

1 1/3 Cup strawberries

2/3 Cup rhubarb

2 Tbsp. raw honey (or to taste)

2 Tbsp. chia seeds  (I got them from the bulk container at the CoOp rather than a large bag anywhere else)

Process all ingredients in the ingredients in a blender and refrigerate over night.  The chia seeds will gel, thickening the fruit puree.

Add additional diced fruit if you like it chunky.

Berry Barbecue Sauce.  Makes 4 servings

Brush on this sauce near the end of grilling time.

3 garlic cloves, peeled

1/4 tsp. olive oil

1 1/4 Cups unsweetened raspberries (but I used chopped strawberries)

3 Tbsp. brown sugar

1 Tbsp. light corn syrup

1 tsp. molasses

1/2 tsp. lemon juice

1/4 to 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes  (I used 1/4)

1/8 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

Dash onion powder

Place garlic on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil, drizzle with oil.  Wrap foil around garlic.  Bake at 425 for 15-20 minutes.  Cool for 10-15 minutes.

Place softened garlic in a small saucepan.  Add the remaining ingredients.  Cook over medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes until sauce is thickened and bubbly.  Remove from the heat.  Cool Slightly.

Transfer to a food processor (I used an immersion blender); cover and process until smooth.  Strain seeds (I did not).  Store in the refrigerator.

Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar

1 quart fresh raspberries (or however much you have)

"some" vinegar (I used Balsamic)

"Some" sugar (I didn't use much)

In a saucepan over medium heat, bring raspberries just to a boil, stirring constantly.  Remove from the hear.  Strain through a double layer of cheesecloth (to not press fruit).  Let juice stand for 1 hour.

Add vinegar and sugar.  Store in a sterilized jar or decorative bottle in a cool dark place.

Monday Minutes

HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST WEEKS LESSON:

Sister Thomas taught our lesson today. As a class we discussed how our families are blessed both spiritually and temporally as we obey the law of tithing. "I want to have this principle so fixed upon our hearts that we shall never forget it. As I have said more than once, I know that the Lord will forgive the Latter-day Saints for their past negligence in paying tithing, if they will now repent and pay a conscientious tithing from this time on."- President Lorenzo Snow

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK:

15- Hayley McVay & Colleen Saal

19- Deborah Royal

NEXT WEEKS LESSON:

Sunday School- Lesson 26

Relief Society- Chapter 13

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES:

July 18th: Evening RS Activity, 7pm, "Berry Festival", April will be making a yummy Strawberry Smoothie for all of us to sample. Bring your favorite berry dish and the recipe to share.

August 4th: Break the fast BBQ, 4pm, Please bring a bag of chips, fruit or an easy dessert.

Berry Good for You!

It is definitely berry season! Here is a recipe from April Loveland, that I tweaked a little. It is very healthy and absolutely delicious.Berries are one of the best foods you can eat for good health. Enjoy!

1 banana
2 cups frozen strawberries or if you use fresh unfrozen ones, then add ice
1 can lite coconut milk
drizzle a little honey (or don't add any at all)
--you can also add a handful of raspberries if you just picked those, or blueberries too!
Blend and enjoy! I used fresh picked berries that I froze the day before, and it really makes a difference.

Monday Minutes

HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST WEEKS LESSON:

Mimi taught our lesson using President Uchtdorf's talk given at the General Young Women's Conference entitled, "Your Wonderful Journey Home". Though this message was given to the Young Women it applies to all of us. 

"I invite you to walk confidently and joyfully. Yes, the road has bumps and detours an d even some hazards. But don't focus on them. Look for the happiness your Father in Heaven has prepared for you in every step of your journey. Happiness is the destination, but it's also the path."-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK:

8- Bonnie Alson

9- Alicia Freshwater, Doreen Nichols & Rachael Sibley

10- Dawn Parker, Brittany Wankasky & Wendy Wynne

11- Samantha Richardson & Cherry Wilson

NEXT WEEKS LESSON:

Sunday School- Lesson 25

Relief Society- Chapter 12

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES:

July 9th: Daytime RS Activity, 11am, "Mimi's Journey to America" with potluck lunch to follow

July 18th: Evening RS Activity, 7pm, "Berry Festival", April will be making a yummy Strawberry Smoothie for all of us to sample. Bring your favorite berry recipe to share.