Hot Citrus Slurp

This is a different take on wassail... and lots of Vitamin C to boot!

Dissolve 1 & 1/2 cups sugar in boiling water.
Add the following, heat and enjoy:
1 can frozen orange juice concentrate
2 quarts water
3/4 cup lemon juice (about 3 fresh lemons)
2 tsp imitation almond extract
1 tsp vanilla

Stocking Stuffers for the Missionaries

In the bustle of your Christmas preparations, don't forget to pick up a few things for the missionaries serving in our ward. This Sunday (12/20) is the last day to bring in stocking stuffers for our 4 missionaries (according to Santa's elves, they've all been very good this year :)

Time to dust off those Christmas Sweaters...

because it's that time of year again!

The ward Christmas party will be this Saturday, December 12th at 6:00pm.

The ward will be providing the meat and desserts, so please bring a side dish to share.

November Building Clean-Up

Mark your calendars for November's building clean-up... the Relief Society's turn is the weekend of November 27th/28th. Put on your cleaning gloves and come up to the church the evening of Friday 11/27 or the morning of Saturday 11/28. Every contribution helps!

French Toast Casserole

By popular request, here's the recipe for the tasty dish served at our recent visiting teaching conference:

French Toast Casserole - from Cooks Illustrated (serves 6-8)

Casserole Ingredients:
1 loaf (16oz) supermarket French or Italian bread, torn into 1-inch pieces
1 Tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
8 large eggs
2 1/2 cups whole milk
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Topping Ingredients:
8 Tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups (9 1/2 oz) packed light brown sugar
3 Tablespoons light corn syrup
2 cups pecans, chopped coarse

(Do not substitute low-fat skim milk for the whole milk in this recipe. Walnuts can be substituted for the pecans. Be sure to use supermarket-style load bread with a thin crust and fluffy crumb - artisan loaves with a thick crust and chewy crumb don't work well.)

1) For the casserole: Adjust 2 oven racks to upper-middle and lower-middle positions and heat oven to 325 degrees. Spread bread out over 2 baking sheets and bake until dry and light golden brown, about 25 minutes, switching and rotating baking sheets halfway through baking time. Let bread cool completely.

2) Coat a 9"x13" baking dish with butter and pack dried bread into dish. Whisk eggs in large bowl until combined and then whisk in milk, cream, granulated sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Pour egg mixture evenly over bread and press on bread lightly to submerge.

3) For the topping: Stir butter, brown sugar and corn syrup togethr until smooth and then stir in pecans.

4) To store: transfer topping to airtight container and wrap dish tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate topping and casserole separately for at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours.

5) To serve: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Unwrap casserole and sprinkle topping evenly over top, breaking apart any large pieces. Place casserole on rimmed baking sheet and bake until puffed and golden, about 1 hour. Serve immediately.

Handmade Gifts

Join us on Tuesday, November 3rd at 7:00pm for the last Relief Society activity of the year. We'll be focusing on easy, inexpensive, handmade gifts for the upcoming holidays. Come and make glass pebble magnets, a sticky note stand and a tulip vase to grow flowers in winter. You'll get other good gift ideas as well - all with no cost to participate.

Enjoy visiting with one another and eating yummy snacks. And don't for get to bring your unwanted items to the exchange table. We'll see you there!

Halloween Carnival

Come one, come all to our Halloween Carnival! Join us the evening of October 31st from 6:30-8:30pm inside the church (where it will be warm :) for trick-or-treating, a costume parade, treats and fun carnival games.

October Cooking Group

Candice Lee's Yellow Curry is on the menu for this month's cooking group. Bring your taste buds and the veggies from the below recipe up to the church on Tuesday (10/27) at 7:00pm. You'll prep that night and then can go home and put everything together for a tasty dinner...

YELLOW CURRY
4 medium potatoes, chopped (scrubbed or peeled first)
1 onion, peeled, halved and cut into wedges
4 carrots, peeled and sliced on the diagonal
3 cloves minced garlic (1-2 Tbs)
1 can coconut milk (Trader Joe's brand is good)
4-6 cups water or broth
honey or brown sugar to taste
curry powder* to taste (1-4 Tbs)
salt or soy sauce
optional: chicken chunks, tofu, deeply toasted cashews

Put all ingredients in a pot (start light on the spices and add more later - if using cashews, add them on the second round of heating). Bring to a boil and let cook for a few minutes. Cover, remove from heat and let sit all day (unless using chicken, then refrigerate on hot days). Heat through before eating and serve with rice. (You can prepare this an hour before dinner and cook it through, but it tastes better if it sits awhile).

* you can use a pre-blended curry powder or try the following recipe:
In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast 1 tablespoon coriander seeds, 1 tablespoon cumin seeds and 1 teaspoon fennel seeds. Toast for 1-2 minutes, until spices are deeply fragrant. Grind together using a spice grinder. Place in a small bowl and stir in a scant tablespoon of ground tumeric, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Sift through a medium-fine sieve to remove clumps. Cloves, allspice, cardamon, etc. are all good spices to add to a curry powder as well.

(Note: November & December cooking group will be cancelled because they fall so close on the calendar to Thanksgiving and Christmas - see you in January!)

Building Clean-Up

Let's get the church building spic & span! The fourth weekend in October is the responsibility of the Relief Society. Come either Friday evening (starting at 7:00pm) or Saturday morning (starting at 9:00am) to help out with this assignment. Our ward will be doing building clean-up through December. And don't forget to mark down what jobs you've done on the clip board inside the janitorial closet.

Friday: Womanhood - Enjoy to the End

A unique, traveling roadshow that celebrates womanhood and the role of sisters in the gospel will be making a stop in our area on Friday, October 23rd at 7:30pm. Join us at the stake center for a night of laughs, inspirational music and great company. For more information, visit http://annbailey.com/womanhood.htm.

November Dinner Club

October's dinner club at Sizzler was tasty and filling - and again, we ran into other folks we knew while there... we must be picking good places to eat!

November's dinner club will take place on Thursday, November 5th at 6:30pm at Cafe Grillades in the Bayhill Shopping Center (851 Cherry Avenue #16 in San Bruno - next to Mollie Stones). Check out their menu at www.cafegrillades - they feature crepes, paninis, burgers, kabobs, couscous platters and tasty desserts. Please contact Dale Lee to let her know you'll be attending (650-291-6348) by November 4th. And don't forget to bring cash for no-hassle bill pay.

October Writing Group

Get your paper out and your pencil sharpened for the October writing group... this month's topic is "A Love Story." Beyond romantic love, think also about your love of family, the gospel, your country, nature, the arts, whatever - the sky's the limit. The writing group will meet on Tuesday, October 13th at 7:00pm in the Relief Society room.

Debt Management Fireside

Mark your calendars for a very informative stake fireside on debt management this Sunday, October 11th from 6:00-8:00pm at the stake center. The guest speaker, Jeremy Jacobs, is an expert on debt management and will both address the topic as well as field questions and comments. Refreshments will follow the fireside. This is a great missionary opportunity for non-members, less-active members and investigators to attend, so be sure to invite your friends.

Service In Action: UCSF Doll Project

Thanks to all the sisters who helped with the UCSF Doll Project on Tuesday! Here's a glimpse of their handiwork:

New Date: Visiting Teaching Conference

(Please note the date change for our VT Conference:
October 17th)

Mark your calendars, set your alarms and join us for breakfast as we host a visiting teaching conference on Saturday, October 17th from 9am-10am at the stake center. Come get ideas, share your experiences, and just plain visit with one another as we strive to better reach out to each other on the Lord's errand.

October Dinner Club

The debut dinner club in September was delicious! The favorite dish from the Elephant Bar at Serramonte Mall was the chicken alfredo. Some Elders from the Spanish Branch in Daly City also happened to be dining there as guests of some other church members - you just never know what'll be served up...

October's dinner club will take place on Thursday, October 1st at 6:30pm at the Sizzler on Junipero Serra Blvd. across from Target. Please contact Dale Lee to let her know you'll be attending (650-291-6348) by September 30th. And don't forget to bring cash for no-hassle bill pay.

Relief Society General Broadcast

Join us and sisters throughout the stake in listening to the counsel of the prophet for the women of the church at the annual Relief Society General Broadcast. The broadcast will be shown at the stake center on Satuday, September 26th. Dinner starts at 4pm and the broadcast will be aired at 5pm.

Food for the Missionaries

Now that we have four missionaries serving in our ward, it's more important than ever to keep them fed! Let's redouble our efforts to bring non-perishable grocery items to the kitchen at church on the 2nd Sunday of each month. The elders can use everything from cold cereal and bread to peanut butter and soup to toothpaste and toilet paper.

Spotlight on RS Newsletter

We've moved sister spotlights to our monthly print newsletter... be sure to check the Relief Society attendance binders at the beginning of the month to find out more about a new sister!

September Dinner Club

The Girl's Night Out Dinner Club Enrichment Group is making its debut this September! The group meets the 1st Thursday of the month at 6:30pm (for September, that will fall on 9/3). This month's restaurant is the Elephant Bar at Serramonte Mall. Please contact Dale Lee to let her know you'll be attending (650-291-6348) by the Tuesday before. And don't forget to bring cash for no-hassle bill pay.

Spinning Yarn How-To

Ever wondered how to spin your own yarn from wool? Come to the next knitting group on Tuesday, August 18th at 7:00pm and learn the basics from Melissa Parscal. She'll even demonstrate how to make your own spindle from two CDs, a dowel and some hardware.

Alishia & the SF Choral Society

Here's to making beautiful music... Fellow Relief Society member Alishia Allshouse will be performing with the San Francisco Choral Society on Saturday, August 15th 2009 at 8:00pm at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco. They will be performing Giuseppe Verdi's Requiem. For tickets or more information, contact Alishia at 415.215.3745 or dallshou@comcast.net.

Yummy in the tummy ...

Easy Strawberry Pie

(Great for the 4th of July!)

1 Baked Pie Crust
1-2 baskets of cleaned sliced strawberries (2-3 cups)
2 Tablespoons of cornstarch
3/4 cup sugar
1 small package (3 oz) of instant strawberry jello
Cool Whip or whip cream

Directions:
Place sliced strawberries in pie crust. Heat cornstarch, sugar and water until thickened. Add jello. Cool to room temperature and pour over strawberries. Put in fridge for 2-3 hours until chilled.

Remember to ...

This is just your friendly reminder that as the summer starts to get underway ... those of you who received a service from the service auction, remember to claim your service! The sooner the better so the sister you got the service from does not forget about it! Happy Servicing!

What's For Dinner?

Gorditas (Corn Masa Pockets) with Classic Shredded Beef!!

No need to bring anything this time, Rocio Paredes will be showing us how to make this yummy treat!

See you all tonight, 7pm in the kitchen!

The Great Exchange!!

Good Times at the Great Exchange! Thanks to all who donated goods and services and to all who came out to support our combined Relief Society/Young Women live service auction... check out the action in the below video clip:

Feature Sister

Sister Davies

Current Calling - Primary Worker

Carol was born in San Francisco and grew up in San Francisco and Pacifica. She has one daughter and is not married. Carol's favorite food is steak, french fries and salad. She loves to play computer games after work and her favorite color is purple. Carol's favorite flower is a gardenia and really likes dark chocolate and New York Cheesecake. Ever since she was little she wanted to be a working woman, and she currently works at her dream job, where she manages a medical practice in Burlingame. Carol was born into the church (a 7th generation Mormon) and was baptized in the Sunset Building.

Carol's favorite movie star is Charlton Heston and loves to watch such shows as Law & Order and CSI. Her most favorite church hymn is 'How Great Thou Art' and believes that all of the callings she has had have all been her favorite and have all been very special. Carol feels her biggest achievement so far in her life has been her reactivation in the church and states that her biggest dream is to be with Heavenly Father again.

Yummy in the tummy ...

The Only Marinade You'll Ever Need

(From Barbecue Bible, Sauces, Rubs and Marinades)

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon hot pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper

1/2 teaspoon coarse salt (kosher or sea) or to taste

4 strips of lemon zest

3 cloves garlic, crushed with the side of a cleaver or minced

1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley

1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil, cilantro, dill, oregano, or a mix of all four

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Combine the lemon juice, hot pepper flakes, cracked pepper, and salt in a nonreactive (glass, ceramic, stainless steel) bowl and whisk until the salt crystals are dissolved.  Add the lemon zest, garlic, parsley, and basil.  Stir or whisk in the olive oil.  The virtue of this marinade is its freshness.  Use it within 1 -2 hours of making.  Stir again before using.  Makes 1 cup.

NEWS ALERT!!

Great News! Kendall & Lisa Allred are new to the ward. They have a little boy, almost 4 and an 11-week old baby girl. Kendall is doing a four year medical residency at UCSF hospital. Look for them on Sunday!

Yummy in the tummy ...

Chocolate Candy Bar Dessert

(from "The Magic of Jello")

Prep Time: 20 minutes Chill Time: 2 hours

2 cups chocolate wafer crumbs

1/2 cup butter, melted

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup granulated sugar

4 cups thawed Cool Whip whipped topping

1 cup chopped chocolate-covered crisp butter toffee bars (about 5 bars)

3 cups cold milk

2 pkgs (4 serving size) Jell-O Chocolate Instant Pudding & Pie Filling

1. Combine crumbs with butter. Press firmly onto bottom of 13 x 9 inch baking pan. Chill.
2. Mix cream cheese and sugar in a bowl with mixer until smooth. Gently stir in 1/2 of the whipped topping. Spread evenly over crust. Sprinkle chopped candy bars over cream cheese layer.
3. Pour milk into a large bowl. Add pudding mixes. Beat with mixer for 2 minutes. Pour over chopped candy bar layer. Let stand for 5 minutes or until thickened.
4. Spread remaining whipped topping over pudding layer.
5. Refrigerate 2 hours or until firm. Garnish with additional chopped candy bars, if desired. Cut into squares. Store leftover dessert in refrigerator.

Makes 15 to 18 servings.

Feature Sister

Amy Anderson Benning

 

I was born April 1^st 1974 (yes, that’s April Fool’s Day) in Murray , UT. I grew up in Sandy , UT and loved it! Since I grew up in the church, I was baptized at age 8. I remember wearing white socks that had a little strawberry printed on the side and was concerned that my baptism might not work since they weren’t all white. But I’m pretty confident that it “took”.

 

I attended the original Jordan High School in Sandy (very historic school with lots of tradition – our mascot was the beetdigger) and then went on to BYU where I spent 6 years changing majors from English to Conservation Biology to Public Relations. The last one stuck and I graduated in  April 1998 in Communications. From there, I moved out to San Francisco for work, met a cute, tall guy in our stake’s YSA ward and the rest is history.

 

Consequently, I am married, even though you see me sitting alone in sacrament meeting… but not everyone gets to make faces at their husband as he sits on the stand. My husband is Michael Benning (a.k.a. Bishop) and we’ll be celebrating our 10^th wedding anniversary this July.

 

We have one child – Austin, who is 8 months and growing… to date, he is my biggest achievement. Being a stay-at-home-mom is my most ideal job (though my boss can be quite demanding at times). Despite working days, nights, swing-shift, weekends and holidays, the perks are great… I can’t get enough of Austin ’s rosy chub cheeks. My second-favorite job was working for the Pacifica Police Department as the chief’s assistant – law enforcement is very interesting, the people I worked with were wonderful and I got to wear a nifty uniform.

 

My favorite calling has to be the one where I was the most stretched but also the most rewarded – Young Women President. After being released and relieving some of the stress, I can now look back on that time and really see the Lord’s hand in guiding me as I worked with my girls. It was awesome to be a part of their lives during such an exciting and crucial point. And just when you thought they hadn’t heard a thing you taught them, they turn around and do something that does your heart proud!

 

I collect Pez candy dispensers, I dig paper crafts, I’m into taking/editing/publishing digital picture/video (I’m a first-time mom… go figure :) and as of late have been trying to visit as many National Parks/Monuments as possible

 

My favorite food is cheese – any kind of cheese. If I had to give up chocolate so I could still eat cheese, I would do it in a heartbeat. When it comes to candy, I do love and respect all chocolate varieties, but have a soft spot in my heart for all the fruity-tart candy I grew up with: Fun Dip, Pixie Stix, Jolly Ranchers, SweeTarts, Bottle Caps, Runts, Nerds, Gobstoppers and so on. For dessert, I’ll take a pie over a cake any day but also like a nice root beer float as well.

 

I grew up laughing uncontrollably during parts of the original Peter Sellers Pink Panther movies and have been a fan ever since (I’ve got the complete collection if anyone ever wants to do a Pink-Panther-a-thon with me – and yes, I do have the Pink Panther Pez collection :). I am also fond of the Lord of the Rings series. I also love “I Love Lucy” and “The Muppet Show” – old school, I know…

 

My dream vacation would be to visit Tahiti , other cool Caribbean islands and New Zealand (perhaps a little LOTR tour, no?).

 

As far as music goes, I’m very good at listening to it - my favorite hymns include “Come, Come Ye Saints,” “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “Be Still My Soul” and the Christmas Songs. I really like retro Latin jazz and campy stuff from the 50s & 60s. I’m also a big Ella Fitzgerald fan. And given my 80s upbringing, I can’t help but enjoy some good 80s tunes. Though I try to stay current, I have to say that I haven’t listened to much radio over the last 8 months… And despite my mother’s attempts at making me take piano lessons when I was young, about the only instrument I can play are the castanets.

Yummy in the Tummy!

Cheese-Sandwich Casserole

(From Deseret Recipes - serves 6)

12 slices of bread
6 slices of cheese (1/8" thick)
2 eggs, beaten
2 1/2 cups of milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard (optional)

Directions: Layer in greased baking dish 6 slices of bread, 6 slices of cheese on top of each slice of bread, and then the other 6 slices of bread on top of the slices of cheese. Mix together in a separate bowl the eggs, milk, salt, pepper and dry mustard and then pour over the cheese sandwiches in the baking dish. Chill in the refrigerator so milk mixture will soften the bread. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Feature Sister

Candice Lee

Name: Candice Lee

Where were you born? Salt Lake City

Where did you grow up? Utah

Any Children? 3 children, ages 3, 2 and 8 weeks.

Favorite Food: Thai, BBQ Tofu

Hobbies and Interests: Gardening, reading, Health & Wellness, cooking

Married? Yes, to Brian Lee married August 2004

Tell us about your schooling: I am finishing my degree from BYU in Business Management (Dec 2009)

Favorite Flower: Roses and wildflowers

Favorite Color: Green

Did you serve a mission? No

When were you baptized? In 1991, and no, I am not a convert.

Favorite Dessert: Chocolate cake with raspberry topping

Favorite Movie Star: Gregory Peck

Favorite Movie/TV Show: Planet Earth

Favorite Church Hymn: Love One Another

Favorite calling you have had: Sunday School Teacher

Do you play a musical instrument? Piano (sort of)

What is your dream vacation? Something that involves no packing, traveling or children!

What is your biggest dream? Not biggest, but I'd like to publish my cookbook.

What is your biggest achievement? Natural delivery of my son!! Wow! So Hard!

Do you work? All day long at home.

What is your ideal job or the most favorite job you have had? What I am doing, being a mom. Teaching is my favorite part of motherhood, but I like cooking as well.

As a child what did you want to be when you grew up? Teacher, wildlife photographer, search and rescue - funny, I do all these things, I just didn't think I'd be rescuing Teddy Bears, binkies and pink underpants!

Yummy in the Tummy ...

White Brownies

1 pound cake mix

1 stick butter (1/4 lb)

4 eggs

1 (8oz.) package of cream cheese

4 cups powdered sugar

Directions: Do not follow the directions on the cake mix box. Place pound cake mix, 2 eggs and 1 stick softened butter in mixing bowl and beat with electric beaters until well blended. Spread mix in bottom of 13 x 9-inch pan. Place softened cream cheese and 2 eggs in bowl and mix well until well blended. Slowly add 4 cups of powdered sugar, mixing until well blended. Pour cream cheese mixture over cake in pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Cool; cut into desired pieces. Store uncovered. Conventional bake at 325 degrees for 35 - 40 minutes.

Happy Mother's Day!

THE MAMA TEST

I was out walking with my 4-year-old daughter.

She picked up something off of the ground and started to put it in her mouth.

 I took the item away from her and I asked her not to do that.

'Why?' my daughter asked..

'Because it's been on the ground; you don't know where it's been, it's dirty, and probably has germs,' I replied.

At this point, my daughter looked at me with total admiration and asked, 'Mama, how do you know all this stuff? You are so smart.'

I was thinking quickly and replied, 'All moms know this stuff. It's on the Mama Test. You have to know it, or they don't let you be a Mama.'

We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes,

but she was evidently pondering this new information.

'Oh....I get it!' she beamed,

 

'So if you don't pass the test you have to be the dad.'

'Exactly,' I replied with a big smile on my face. 

Feature Sister

Rebekah (Becky) Engel

What is your current calling?  SSF Ward Relief Society President

Where were you born?  San Francisco

Where did you grow up?  San Francisco

Do you have any children?  Ages?  I have 3 children.  All are grown with families … don’t know if they want me to give out their ages.  I have 9 grandchildren ages 1 -21.

Favorite Food:  Chinese Fried Rice

Hobby/Interests or favorite pastime?  I love to be outside.  I love to swim in the ocean but don’t get to very often.  I enjoy walking at the beach, reading (outside when I can), sewing, some crafts, and being with my grandchildren when possible.

Are you married?  Divorced about 100 years ago.

Tell us about your schooling and education:  Graduated from the University of Texas; BA in Psychology with Teaching Certification.

Favorite Flower:  Carnation

Favorite Color:  Yellow

Did you serve a mission?  Yes, 22 years raising my kids!!

When were you baptized?  Baptized at age 8 by my father, confirmed by my grandfather.

Favorite Candy:  Black Licorice (has to be the right kind)

Favorite Dessert:  Vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup

Favorite Movie Star:  John Wayne

Favorite Movie:  Out of Africa

Favorite Church Hymn:  The Morning Breaks

Favorite calling you have had:  Stake Relief Society President

Do you play a musical instrument?  Piano, organ, violin (a long time ago)

What is your DREAM vacation?  I think I have been on it already.  Safari in West Africa although I’d like to go again.

What is your biggest dream?  To grow old with good health in the company of my family and live long enough to see all my grandchildren married and sealed in the temple.

What is your biggest achievement?  Having my children all married and sealed in the temple.

Do you work?  Yes, full-time.  I’m CFO/Office Manager for a group of corporations in the skateboard industry.  That psychology degree comes in handy!

What is your ideal job or the most favorite job you have had?  I like most being a full-time mom.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?  A mommy, more than anything else in the world!