WE'RE BACK IN OUR OLD CHURCH HOUSE AND THEN SOME WINTER LACE JUST FOR GOOD MEASURE

Tonight was our Christmas Relief Society dinner and program--it used to be called Enrichment, I'm not sure what it is called now. We held it in our old building--YAY!--which has been being remodeling for eleven months (and two weeks). It was good to be home. I couldn't believe how much I loved being back.

The Relief Society has been collecting jammies for the Division of Family services--photos of the jammies here (thank you, Annette)--to use when children have to be removed from homes because of violence, etc. Then, after dinner, we had a Christmas program and it really got to me, I bawled like a baby. (I've needed a good cry for a while.) I looked around at my friends, and was overcome with love for them. I am so lucky for so many reasons and friends are right at the top of the list.

Meg (who doesn't blog often enough) and I checked out the stage because on Friday we will be having another program for the whole ward. Meg and I were put in charge of the program NINE FREAKING DAYS AGO. Wish us luck. If I never blog again you will know I've been run out of town.

Actually, we hope to set a record for the only Mormon family dinner where the kids WILL NOT run wild. They will see Santa in the Primary room at 5:30 and then at 6:00 will be escorted into the cultural hall where they will join their parents and older siblings for dinner and the program. Like I said, wish us luck.

And then, just because, here is some winter lace that was on my driveway this morning.

A COUPLE OF MY HEROES

Last night at Enrichment there were unsung heroes, so I'm singing their praises right now. That's me as a blond. And skinnier, w-a-y skinnier.

One's name is Heather and she had organized an art project for 50 women. There were huge long tables for us and hundreds of scrapbook papers, patterned tissue paper, pens, glue sticks, etc. for us to choose from. There was a little notebook for all of us and we could decorate it any way we wanted. I chose to just cover mine with tissue paper but most women got creative.
Heather served in the Relief Society Presidency as first counselor (I was second counselor) for almost four years. We worked side by side, having early morning presidency meetings (which Heather loved--she's a lark. I hated the hour of those meetings as I'm an owl. One morning as I was walking to the meeting--just across the street but still...it was pitch dark, there was new snow on the ground and there was a sliver of a moon and one star next to it. I looked around and thought I could be in Siberia!) Heather helped with funerals, helped with Enrichment meetings, worried about the sisters and did service for them, taking food to people who were sick, etc. She was in charge of the music for Relief Society and all the RS teachers.

She has worked tirelessly for her husband and three kids while going back to school to get her Masters degree and she started and runs an art program for the Scera, in Orem--a huge project. I also worked with her in the Primary presidency for several years. Now she has been called to the Young Women's.

Heather is of Russian descent and I have always said she looks like a Russian Princess. What is the matter with me, not taking her photo last night and a photo of all her preparations?

***

Annette ran the cooking class. She made aprons for EVERYONE who, in any way, helped with her class. She whipped them up that afternoon! Amazing. Plus she made about a dozen treats for everyone to sample. Click here. She baked for days and froze her treats so she could have so many for people to sample. Her theme was "Bee's" ("Bee-gin your Day in a Bee-utiful Way") and everything reflected the theme, even the fabric of the aprons.

One woman said, "I want an apron." and Annette didn't miss a beat. "What kind of an apron would you like?" she said. And the woman told her. I know Annette will go shopping for fabric for an apron for this woman. Annette is generous. She is the Fairy Godmother who brought chocolate to me one late night. Chocolate candies and a chocolate apron, which is the only apron I wear anymore.

When our wards were combined Annette was the Relief Society President. She was soon made the Primary President, which means she is in charge of all the ward children from age 18 months--nursery age, up to the twelve year olds. who go to opening exercises and then class for the last two hours of church.

There is no way I could even begin to tell you how amazing this woman is. She is always taking delightful things to people. I have been on the receiving end more times than I can remember.

She is a do-er. President Kimball had a sign on his desk: "Do it!" Annette took it to heart and she does. it. all. I've never known anyone like her.

These are a couple of my heroes. Neither one of their church jobs is in Relief Society and yet they gave their all. And then some. How I love them.

ENRICHMENT WAS TONIGHT--I WAS NOT INVOLVED!

For the first time in seven years--SEVEN YEARS--I had no responsibility for Enrichment. (Excuse me while I dance around the room.)

It was very nice. The theme was Back to School. We had dinner and classes.: a cooking class--an amazing class, I didn't go to it but went in after for samples. Truly amazing. An antiques class--formally called Show and Tell, an art class and a music class.


The tables were set with school supplies, candy corn and candy pumpkins, baskets of apples and a report card sticking out of each one. On our report card it said--in red pencil--runs in the halls!
We had a bulletin board with pictures of women in their school age pictures. It was a guessing game. Can you tell which one is me?

Number 26 and 27.
Number 15. Number 8-I cut a bit of the head off--9, and 10

Number 19.

Number 25 and 26. Number 22. Couldn't you just die for that hat. If I had that hat now I'd wear it. This is the antique I took. Well, I took two--not really antiques but some of my favorite things.

The Ferris Wheel was made in the 1930's. Technically it probably was bought for my sisters but they would have given it to DI (the Mormon Church's equivalent of Goodwill) so I'm glad I'm the one that has it. I played with it so much that I wore it out. The spring needs replacing. Does anyone know how to do that?

The little red chair is one I sat on in Jr. Sunday School. When our church building was torn down mom got five of the chairs. The wire work on the back and underneath the chair is from my Uncle Tom. He could fix anything and he repaired all the chairs during the time they were used in our Jr. Sunday School.

It was a great night and I'm so happy everything went well. The Enrichment committee and the food committee did a great job.

PS I'm number 19.

A BLOG ABOUT NOTHING. AGAIN.

I have decided that in yesterday's post I should have written "melty tastiness," not "melty goodness"--as in "good for you." I don't want to deceive anyone about the nutritional value of candy bars. Just wanted to set the record straight.

Lasagna and salad and French bread--that is my all time favorite meal. Today, before leaving for church, I put together a lasagna and left a note for Phil to put it in the oven after he got home from his BYU ward. I walked into the house to the most heavenly smell.

A salad made with fresh cucumbers and fresh tomatoes from the garden can go from good to wonderful if you put a bunch of marinated artichoke hearts on it. If you live anywhere near BYU's Creamery on 9th and can get their ranch dressing it takes that salad from wonderful to fantastic. Just sayin' in case you live close. If you don't live close, forget I said that part.

It doesn't matter how old you get, you still want the best for your children and you still think of them as children, not as men or women. They were, and always will be, your precious little ones.

If we could be a nation of strong families, we would be a strong nation. We must do what we can to keep our families intact, to teach them correct principles, and to teach them to serve.

If you don't have anyone to sit by in church you are lonely no matter how full the chapel is. Luckily I had people to sit by today, except for Sunday School. I sat by a man I didn't even know--how does that happen? He promptly went to sleep. He did not snore.

It is good to sit in Relief Society and not be up front, conducting. It is nice to know someone else is in charge of Enrichment. I will go to Enrichment in September and have no responsibilities for the first time in seven years!

I told you this was a blog about nothing. I have things to say but am going to say them on my Starlight blog and on a different night as I'm going to bed now. I hope everyone is tucked in and hope you all remembered to floss your teeth and say your prayers.

Goodnight.

I'VE BEEN RELEASED

Whew. I've been in charge of a monthly dinner/program/activity for the sisters in my ward for what seems like a lifetime. Seven years ago I was made the Enrichment Leader. (The real title is Home, Family and Personal Enrichment.) That is when we had Enrichment every month. When I would get home at night I could hardly walk. I would call Phil from the driveway and he would come and help me bring "stuff" in. Things like all the tablecloths that needed to be washed, decorations, food preparations items, whatever else I had drug to the church to make things nice.

I was the Enrichment Leader for three years and then was made Enrichment Counselor. I served three months shy of four years in that calling. Today our presidency was released. I can turn the keys to the church along with keys to umpteen closets over to the new counselor.

It was a good time and I worked with wonderful sisters who always willingly did their part. We did great things, had fun, learned things, served delicious meals and drew closer together as friends.

I enjoyed it.

And, I have to admit, I'm exhausted.

WHAT CAN'T YOU LIVE WITHOUT?

Tonight was Enrichment. Our theme was, What Can't You Live Without? The only restriction was you couldn't say your family or the scriptures. Those were a given. We had to bring what we couldn't live without in a paper bag so no one could see. We were then given 30 seconds to tell about it. It was a fun evening. The variety of what people can't live without was amazing. Our new Enrichment Leader did a fantastic job of organizing and making sure everything got done. Our food committee, ditto and everyone who helped make this evening a success, how I love them all.

What can't you live without?

ENRICHMENT NIGHT--A BIRTHDAY PARTY

Last night was our Relief Society Enrichment "Birthday Party." The Relief Society was founded 157 years ago and has provided service ever since. It is the oldest women's association in the United States.

We had ten cakes brought--one for each table--one table had two. After dinner the sisters could have whatever cake they wanted or a sliver of as many as they wanted.

This is what the leftovers of my cake looked like the next day. It is still tasty but oh my, it looks awful.

After dinner we had a musical number and then we had each Relief Society President honored, starting with Emma Smith, wife of the prophet, Joseph Smith.

It was a lovely evening, very inspirational, very good to get together with so many friends that we don't see often because so many of the sisters are serving in the Primary and Young Woman's, which meet on Sunday at the same time as Relief Society.

For our closing hymn we sang, "As sisters in Zion."

I have such great love for each of these sisters.

SIX WORDS FOR OUR ENRICHMENT AUCTION

Dinner, donations, bidding, laughter, items won.

OUR ENRICHMENT AUCTION

Tonight was our Relief Society annual Enrichment Auction. Everyone donates something, it can be homemade food, gifts, services, etc. We give everybody a "credit card" with a hundred dollars on it.

Some of the clever services were babysitting, yard work, housework, a listening ear, brain gym, voice lessons, organ lessons and even a golf lesson.

First we had dinner,French dip sandwiches, watermelon, coleslaw and the best dessert on the planet which I forgot to photograph. When I track down the recipe I'll post it on my cookbook site. Then our auctioneer, my neighbor Boyd got into action. He is the funniest man alive and everyone laughed while he ran things "his way."
Every year he says he won't be the auctioneer but I bribe him with caramels and tell him as long as I'm the Enrichment Counselor in Relief Society he will be our auctioneer. Tonight he said he was campaigning for my release.
This is what I won, pumpernickel bread. It was warm when it came and smelled divine. The woman who donated it said it's good toasted and spread with cream cheese.
Baskets of breads.
There were lots of gift baskets and the was one of the more clever ones. It was called the "Rise and Shine" and had everything you could imagine for breakfast. Pancake mix, syrup, jam, oats, cereal, etc.
This one went for a hundred dollars. A lousy picture, although.

This was the sweetest Christmas topiary. The bidding for it was fast and furious.
Yummy apricot nectar and apple juice.
This basket of children's books went for the full hundred dollars.
The person who donated these dahlias has a garden full of them. It looks like a fairyland there.
This is one of the items I donated. A basket with strawberry and raspberry freezer jam, Savory Italian Tomatoes and caramels. The other thing I donated I forgot to take a photo of--it was two boxes of caramels. It went to a new woman in our ward who is moving from Texas and her husband is still in Texas, trying to sell their house. I hope the hurricane didn't cause havoc.

Two fleece blankets with matching Teddy Bears.
Homemade hot fudge sauce. It was still warm.
This was filled with yummy soaps and cosmetics.
This wall hanging also went for the full hundred. The woman who bought it collects 12 day of Christmas items and so was delighted. There were quite a few people who donated home canned items. Jams and chili sauce and one clever woman donated a canned jar of cake! I'm sure it tells how to do it on the Internet and I'm going to do a search and see how. She says it keeps a year. When you are dying for a piece of cake but don't want to make a whole one you could just open a jar and there is cake--enough for two.

It was a great evening. Good food, good company, good friends--sixty-six of them--and lots and lots of laughs. Can't wait to do it again next year.