Individual Loaded Baked Potato Pull-Apart Bread

Ingredients

• For the bread:
• 3 – 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. instant or dry-active yeast
• 2/3 cup lukewarm water, divided
• 2 Tbsp. potato flour OR 1/4 cup instant potato flakes
• 3 Tbsp. dried milk powder (can omit, but replace 1/3 cup of the water with lukewarm milk)
• 2 Tbsp. white sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt
• 4 Tbsp. soft butter
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• For the filling:
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup finely chopped green onion, green part only
• 5 slices bacon, cooked, cooled and crumbled

Instructions

1. In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a kneading hook, combine the yeast with 1/3 cup warm water and let stand 5 minutes. Add remaining 1/3 cup water (or milk, if you aren't using dried milk powder). Add the potato flour, milk powder (if using), sugar, salt, soft butter and sour cream. Stir to combine well. Add 2 cups of the flour and mix until combined. Begin adding more flour 1/4 cup at a time, kneading, until dough comes together and is elastic and moist, but not sticky.
2. Grease a large bowl and add dough to bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside to rise until doubled, 60-90 minutes. While dough is rising, prepare the filling ingredients. Grease a 6-loaf mini loaf pan or a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
3. Remove dough to a well-floured surface that you can cut on. Roll in to a 12-inch by 18-inch rectangle. Sprinkle dough with shredded cheddar cheese and press lightly in to dough. Sprinkle with crumbled bacon and chopped green onion.
4. To make individual mini-breads: Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, with the shorter 12-inch side closest to you, cut dough into six 2-inch strips, cutting from top to bottom. Make one cut across the middle from right to left to make 12 strips total. Starting with the top 6 strips, carefully stack the strips one on top of the other. If some of the filling falls off, just pick it up and place back on top before adding the next piece. Repeat with the bottom 6 strips. You will now have two stacks, roughly 2-inches wide by 9-inches long. Using a sharp knife, cut each stack in to 3 even pieces, to make a total of 6 pieces of about 3-inches by 3-inches. Cut eat of these pieces in half, to make a total of 12 pieces. Place two pieces in to each mini loaf cup. Spray a piece of plastic wrap and place it sprayed side down over the mini loaf pan. Allow to rise until puffy, about 45-60 minutes.
5. For one 9×5-inch loaf: Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, with the shorter 12-inch side closest to you, cut dough in to four 3-inch strips, cutting from top to bottom. Make one cut across the middle from right to left, to make 8 strips total. Starting with the top 4 strips, carefully stack the strips on on top of the other. If some of the filling falls off, just pick it up and place back on top before adding the next piece. Repeat with the bottom 4 strips. You will now have two stacks, roughly 3-inches wide by 9-inches long. Cut each stack in half, to make a total of 4 pieces that are 3-inches by 4 1/2-inches. Place stack pieces side by side in to prepared 9×5-inch loaf, with the wider side down. Spray a piece of plastic wrap and place it sprayed side down over the mini loaf pan. Allow to rise until puffy, about 45-60 minutes.
6. When dough is about ready, preheat oven to 350° F. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown and they sound hollow when tapped on top, 25-30 minutes.

More lasting than the wealth of Caesar

"The stars in the heavens looked down where he lay."  The onlooking universe was apparently created by him under the Father's direction, involving "worlds without number".  Thus the meek Christ child was cradled not only in a manger but was also cradled in the midst of the majesty of his own creations!  

Neal A. Maxwell

So who needs Christmas?  We do!  All of us! Because Christmas can bring us closer to the Savior, and he is the only source of lasting joy. . . .We need Christmas because it helps us to be better people, not only in December but in January, June, and November.   Hugh W. Pinnock

"With the birth of the babe in Bethlehem, there emerged a great endowment—a power stronger than weapons, a wealth more lasting than the coins of Caesar. This child was to become the King of kings and Lord of lords, the promised Messiah—Jesus Christ, the Son of God."  Thomas S. Monson

"The only real blind person at Christmas-time is he who has no Christmas in his heart."  Helen Keller

There is a magic in Christmas.  Hearts are opened to a new measure of kindness. Love speaks with increased power.  Tensions are eased. . . .Of all things of heaven and earth of which we bear testimony, none is so important as our witness that Jesus, the Christmas child, condescended to come to earth from the realms of His Eternal Father, here to work among men as healer and teacher, our Great Exemplar.  And further, and most important, He suffered on Calvary's cross as an atoning sacrifice for all mankind.  At this time of Christmas, this season when gifts are given, let us not forget that God gave His Son, and His Son gave His life, that each of us might have the gift of eternal life.
Gordon B. Hinckley

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire

Love is the fire that warms our lives with unparalleled joy and divine hope.

"To all, wherever you are–to you who need hope, to you who need comfort, to you who are unhappy, to you who need direction and need to feel a purpose in your lives–my dear friends, I encourage you, I urge you to bow your heads or drop to your knees! In your own words, thank your Heavenly Father for His Son's atoning sacrifice for you and for all the blessings He has given you. Tears will moisten your eyes, and the warmth of the Spirit will come into your heart. Then talk to the Lord, asking for comfort, direction, and understanding. As you open your mind and heart to feel the spirit, the Lord in His own time and in His own way will give you the instructions which will bless your life."  D. Rex Gerratt

"You may never see angels descending out of heaven, but I can promise you as you pray, unseen angels will minister to you. As you share your talent for spirituality, you will feel the warmth and power of the Spirit governing your life."
Carol B. Thomas

"Learning the language of prayer is a joyous, lifetime experience. Sometimes ideas flood our mind as we listen after our prayers. Sometimes feelings press upon us. A spirit of calmness assures us that all will be well. But always, if we have been honest and earnest, we will experience a good feeling-a feeling of warmth for our Father in Heaven and a sense of his love for us. It has sorrowed me that some of us have not learned the meaning of that calm, spiritual warmth, for it is a witness to us that our prayers have been heard. And since our Father in Heaven loves us with more love than we have even for ourselves, it means that we can trust in his goodness, we can trust in him; it means that if we continue praying and living as we should, our Father's hand will guide and bless us."
Spencer W. Kimball

Peppermint-OREO Cookie Balls

6        candy canes, finely chopped (about 1/3 cup)

1

pkg.  (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA cream Cheese, softened

36

OREO Cookies, finely crushed

4

pkg.  (4 oz. each) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, broken into pieces, melted

RESERVE 1 Tbsp. chopped candy. Mix remaining candy with cream cheese and cookie crumbs until blended.

SHAPE into 48 (1-inch) balls. Freeze 10 min. Dip balls in melted chocolate; place on waxed paper-covered rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle with reserved candy.

If you don't believe in miracles...

It has been 75 days since my fathers stroke. He has worked so hard with his therapist and even though he has had no feeling on his left side he has great pain daily when moved.  It is a sharp stabbing piercing pain, scale of 1 to 10 it has been a 10 every time. Last night he went to bed with no feeling in his hand or leg, but this morning when I was getting him out of bed he was able to move his hand flaring his fingers, opening and closing his hand. My tears were immediate. I then touched his hand and he was able to feel my touch for the first time in 75 days, I touched his leg and it had feeling too. There is still much work ahead but there is feeling, there is feeling. Today is the first day of the 12 days of Christmas; on the first day of Christmas MY True love gave to me (my true love is Heavenly Father and the Partridge in the pear tree is The Savior) a wonderful miracle. Just wanted to share this with you.

~Susan

If you don't believe in miracles, perhaps you've forgotten you are one.

All glory!

"Remember, heaven is filled with those who have this in common: They are forgiven. And they forgive." 

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

He lives, all glory to His Name, 

He lives my Savior still the same. 

oh sweet the joy this sentence gives, 

I know that my Redeemer lives. 

He is the Gift

"Having redeemed us from the Fall, our lives are in reality His." 

"We are made up of the stuff of eternity. Endings are not our destiny." Dieter F Uchtdorf"Heavenly Father loves us beyond our capacity to understand. He knows what is best for us. He sees the end from the beginning. He wants us to act to gain needed experience: When He answers yes, it is to give us confidence. When He answers no, it is to prevent error. When He withholds an answer, it is to have us grow through faith in Him."
 Richard G. Scott

"We can choose to become the kind of person that we will. And with God's help that can be even as he is."
 D. Todd Christofferson

"Keep going and the Lord will help you."

Sweet Potato with Pecan Praline Frosting

1 box of spice cake mix

1 small box of instant vanilla pudding

1 small box of instant pumpkin spice pudding (it's seasonal but Jello does make it.  If you can't find this, then substitute another box of vanilla pudding and add in 1 tablespoon of cinnamon to the recipe)

1/2 cup of veggie oil

1 1/4 cups of water

4 eggs

1 cup canned Sweet Potato, drained

1 can cream cheese frosting

1 cup chopped pecans, divided

1 tablespoon butter

1/4 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Grease  a 10 inch bundt pan

In mixing bowl, combine cake mix, puddings, oil, water and eggs with electric mixer.  Add in sweet potatoes and mix until blended.  Pour into prepared bundt pan.

Bake 40-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Let cake rest on counter in pan 10 minutes.  Then, invert cake onto serving plate to finish cooling. 

To make the praline crumbles on top, melt butter in saucepan over low heat, add in sugar and stir until sugar dissolves (it will become a caramel brown color).  Add in half a cup of pecans and stir until coated.  Pour praline mixture out on to wax paper to cool (about 10 minutes).  Break into pieces with hands.  Use as garnish.

To assemble: put can of frosting in microwavable safe bowl, microwave 15 seconds (this gives it a creamier consistency for spreading).  Add in remaining half of pecans.  Stir until incorporated.  Frost cake with pecan cream cheese frosting and top with praline crumbles.

We trudge along without the light we could potentially be having

This is a response to my email today (the post below), I love what Shari had to say and just wanted to share it with you.

I love this email! And, what a great photo. thank you for bringing me happiness today! I really like Brother Eyring's quote. And the reminder to turn on the light. We were talking about this at book club, how in my closet are several lights and when one goes out I notice it right away, but after awhile I get used to the dimness and don't notice it. I think life is like this, we let little lights go out and after a while don't notice the dimness and we trudge along without the light we could potentially be having. and we get used to that dimness and way of living. It's a good reminder to "remember to turn on the light."

love you!

Shari

:D

One Christmas gift we can give is our thanks

You hold in your hands the HAPPINESS of more people than you can imagine.
 Henry B. Eyring 

"Happiness comes first by what comes into your head a long time before material blessings come into your hand." 

Jeffrey R. Holland 

Be believing, Be happy, don't get discouraged.
Things will work out!

"Happiness can be found even in the Darkest of times if one Remembers to turn on the Light"

"When trials come we can get past them more quickly if we remember happiness in the past as readily as we count on the promise of happiness ahead." 

Jeffrey R. Holland

"One of the things we can give at Christmas time, that no one else can give, is our thanks." 

Spencer W. Kimball

Blessings Come "Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don't come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come." 

Jeffrey R. Holland

"God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face."

I WILL LEAD YOU ALONG

Jesus Christ was the first gift of Christmas

"It is only fitting that we - like the wise men, shepherds, and angels - take time to rejoice and celebrate that glorious first Christmas Day." 

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

As the Christmas season envelops us with all its glory, may we, as did the Wise Men, seek a bright, particular star to guide us to our Christmas opportunity in service to our fellowman. May we all make the journey to Bethlehem in spirit, taking with us a tender, caring heart as our gift to the Savior. Thomas S. Monson

What will you and I give for Christmas this year? Let us in our lives give to our Lord and Savior the gift of gratitude by living His teachings and following in His footsteps. It was said of Him that He 'went about doing good.' As we do likewise, the Christmas spirit will be ours. 

With the pure love of Christ, let us walk in His footsteps as we approach the season celebrating His birth. As we do so, let us remember that He still lives and continues to be the Light of the World, who promised, "He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Thomas S. Monson

"Every divine gift and every spiritual privilege that gives us access to the power of heaven comes from Christ or through Christ or because of Christ. We owe everything to Him and to our Father in Heaven.

I hope that this Christmas and every day of the year we will consider, in particular, the many gifts we have been given by our loving Heavenly Father. I hope we will receive these gifts with the wonder, thankfulness, and excitement of a child.
 Dieter F. Uchtdorf

LOVE never fails, Unleash your JOY, Hold unto HOPE

LOVE never fails, Unleash your JOY, Hold unto HOPE

"Without Christ there would be no Christmas, and without Christ there can be no fulness of joy."

Joy and hope are never separate. It's not likely you'll meet a hopeful person who is depressed, or a joyful person who has lost hope. It's important to become aware that 'at any moment you have the privilege to choose hope and joy.' It's in this choice where your true freedom lies,… and with this marvelous ability (of decision), in the final analysis, love of life and happiness can grow.

Philly Cheesesteak Stew

(Serves about 4)

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ pounds very thinly sliced beef sirloin (I get mine from Trader Joe's), or ribeye
• Salt
• Cracked black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided use
• Olive oil
• 2 onions, quartered and thinly sliced
• 10 ounces white mushrooms, sliced
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 cloves garlic, pressed through garlic press
• 4 cups beef stock, hot
• 4 sourdough bread bowls, centers hollowed out and reserved for dipping
• 4 slices provolone cheese

Preparation:

-Add the thinly sliced beef sirloin to a large bowl, and season with a couple of pinches of salt and cracked black pepper, plus the onion powder, and toss to coat; sprinkle over 2 tablespoons of the flour, and again, toss to coat.

-Place a non-stick pot over medium-high heat, and drizzle in about 3-4 tablespoons of oil; once hot, add about half of the sirloin in, and allow it to sear for about a minute or two, then toss/stir, and allow it to sear/brown on the other sides for another 1-2 minutes, and remove onto a plate to hold (the meat may still be a little pink inside); repeat with the remaining half of the sirloin, and set aside.

-Next, add a little more oil to the pot if needed, and add in the sliced onions, along with a pinch of salt and cracked black pepper; allow the onions to caramelize for roughly 6 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning them, until golden-brown and softened; then, add in the mushrooms, and allow them to continue sauteing with the onions for another 6 minutes or so, stirring frequently.

-Add in the dried thyme and the garlic, and stir to incorporate.

-Once the garlic becomes aromatic, sprinkle in the remaining 2 tablespoons of flour (the tablespoons  can be a bit "heaping") over the onion/mushroom mixture, and stir well to combine and blend; next, slowly add in the hot beef stock, stirring all the while to avoid any little flour "lumps" from forming.

-Reduce the heat to medium-low, and allow the stew to simmer gently for about 10 minutes, uncovered, just to "tighten" it up a bit, and to allow the flavors to marry; after 10 minutes, turn off the heat, and add the seared sirloin back in, along with any accumulated juices, and stir to combine; check to see if you need any additional salt/pepper.

-To serve, ladle some stew into your hollowed out sourdough bowls, top with a slice of provolone, and place the bread bowls onto a foil-lined baking sheet and under the broiler for just a couple of moments to melt the cheese and make it gooey.

-Serve with some of the hollowed out, left-over sourdough bread on the side, for dipping.

What Prophets Have Said About Santa Claus

David O. McKay

It is a glorious thing to have old St. Nicholas in our hearts and in our homes today, whether he enters the latter through the open door or creeps down the chimney on Christmas Eve. To bring happiness to others without seeking personal honor or praise by publishing it is a most commendable virtue. . . .

Good old St. Nicholas has long since gone the way of all mortals, but the joy he experienced in doing kindly deeds is now shared by millions who are learning that true happiness comes only by making others happy—the practical application of the Savior's doctrine of losing one's life to gain it. In short, the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit, that makes our hearts glow in brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service.

Boyd K. Packer

I want to emphasize that I have no quarrel with that well-fed gentleman with the red suit and the white whiskers. He was very generous to me when I was a boy, and we are looking forward with great anticipation to his visit at our home. All of those things with reference to Christmas are appropriate and good, and all of them are for children--except, I suppose, the mistletoe.

John A. Widtsoe

There are men who object to Santa Claus, because he does not exist! Such men need spectacles to see that Santa Claus is a symbol; a symbol of the love and joy of Christmas and the Christmas spirit. In the land of my birth there was no Santa Claus, but a little goat was shoved into the room, carrying with it a basket of Christmas toys and gifts. The goat of itself counted for nothing; but the Christmas spirit, which it symbolized, counted for a tremendous lot.

Howard W. Hunter

How is Christmas regarded today? The legend of Santa Claus, the Christmas tree, the decorations of tinsel and mistletoe, and the giving of gifts all express to us the spirit of the day we celebrate; but the true spirit of Christmas lies much deeper than these. It is found in the life of the Savior, in the principles He taught, in His atoning sacrifice—which become our great heritage.

Jeffrey R. Holland

The memory of that [first Christmas] night would bring Santa Claus and Frosty and Rudolph—and all would be welcome. But first and forever there was just a little family, without toys or trees or tinsel. With a baby—that's how Christmas began.

Ezra Taft Benson

As a boy, I loved going to the canyon to cut our Christmas tree, and I always tried to get one that reached to the ceiling. Though we received only a few gifts, our stockings were filled with fruit, nuts, and candy, and Santa always left something. Like all children, we suffered terrible anticipation at Christmastime--until, that is, we happened onto the Santa Claus costume in the bottom of an old trunk. Suddenly the secret was out. So that was why Father was always out doing chores when Santa came on Christmas morning. 

You cannot separate Bethlehem from Golgotha"

Keep your faith. Look for the good in your situation. Do something kind for someone. Seek Christ devoid of wrapping and tinsel. You will find that despite external circumstances, Christmas—like the kingdom of God—is "within you"
 Jeffrey R. Holland

Part of the purpose for telling the story of Christmas is to remind us that Christmas doesn't come from a store. Indeed, however delightful we feel about it, even as children, each year it 'means a little bit more.' And no matter how many times we read the biblical account of that evening in Bethlehem, we always come away with a thought-or two-we haven't had before. 

Jeffrey R. Holland

Remember that the fullness of Christ's ministry lies in the future. The prophecies of His Second Coming have yet to be fulfilled. At Christmas, of course, we focus upon His birth. But, He will come again. At His First Coming Jesus came almost in secret. Only a few mortals knew of His birth. At His Second Coming the whole of humankind will know of His return. Then He will come, not as "a man traveling on the earth," but His glory "shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together."

As a special witness of His holy name, I testify that Jesus is the divine Son of the living God. He will love you, lift you, and manifest Himself unto you if you will love Him and keep His commandments.

I express my love and blessing for each of you, along with my best wishes for a very merry Christmas, and do so prayerfully in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
 Russell M. Nelson"

You cannot separate Bethlehem from Golgotha" 

Jeffrey R. Holland

The answer is yes

"Because you are being tested, it is expected that you will make some mistakes. I assume that you have done things in your life that you regret, things that you cannot even apologize for, much less correct; therefore, you carry a burden. You, perhaps, may feel inferior in mind and body and are troubled or burdened with the weight of some spiritual account that is marked 'past due.'

Too frequently we receive letters from those who have made tragic mistakes and are burdened. They beg: 'Can I ever be forgiven? Can I ever change?' The answer is yes!"    
Boyd K. Packer

Are we not all beggars?" Don't we all cry out for help and hope and answers to prayers? Don't we all beg for forgiveness for mistakes we have made and troubles we have caused? Don't we all implore that grace will compensate for our weaknesses, that mercy will triumph over justice at least in our case? 

Jeffrey R Holland 

"None of us will be on earth very long. We shouldn't wait to be happy until we reach some future point, only to discover that happiness was already available—all the time!"  
Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Christmas is a time for remembering the Son of God and renewing our determination to take up on His name."
Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Cute idea for table

Love, Joy, Hope

Someone on high helped me

In speaking of those who are unafraid to live lives of righteousness and example, I am reminded of one of the missionaries who served in Eastern Canada when I was the mission president there. He was a special young man by the name of Elder Roland Davidson. He was dedicated and hardworking and obviously loved the gospel of Jesus Christ. And then he became very ill. After weeks of hospitalization, as the surgeon prepared to undertake extremely serious and complicated surgery, the surgeon asked that we send for the missionary's parents. He indicated that there was a great likelihood that Elder Davidson could not survive the surgery. His parents came. The evening before the surgery, his father and I, in that hospital room in Toronto, Canada, placed our hands upon the head of that young missionary and gave him a blessing. What happened the following day provided for me a never-to-be-forgotten example of the influence of a true "believer."

Elder Davidson was in a six-bed ward in the hospital. The other beds were occupied by five men with a variety of illnesses. On the morning of Elder Davidson's surgery, his bed was empty. I learned later that the nurse came into the room with the breakfast these husky men normally ate. She took a tray over to bed number one and said, "Fried eggs this morning, and I have an extra portion for you." Bed number one was occupied by a man with his toe wrapped up in a bandage. He had suffered an accident with his lawnmower. Other than his injured toe, he was well physically. He said to the nurse, "I'll not be eating this morning."

"All right," said the nurse. "We'll give your breakfast to your partner in bed number two!"

As she went over to bed number two, he said, "No, thank you. I think I'll not eat this morning."

She said, "That's two in a row. I don't understand you men, and there is no one this morning in bed three." She glanced at the bed Roland Davidson had occupied, and then she went on to bed four, bed five, and bed six. The answer was the same from each one: "No, this morning I'm not hungry."

The young lady put her hands on her hips and said, "Every other morning you eat us out of house and home, and today not one of you wants to eat. What's going on here?"

And then the man who occupied bed number six came forth with the answer. He said, "You see, bed number three is empty. Our friend, Davidson, is in the operating room under the surgeon's hands. He needs all the help he can get. He is a missionary for his church, and while he has been lying on that bed he has talked to us about the principles of his church—principles of prayer, of faith, and of fasting wherein we call upon the Lord for blessings." He continued, "We have come to admire Davidson as a person of great goodness and compassion and faith. He's an example of what a follower of Christ should be. He has touched our lives—each one of us—and we are fasting for him today."

The operation performed on Roland Davidson was a success. In fact, when I attempted to pay the surgeon, he refused any money, saying, "It would be dishonest for me to accept a fee. I have never before performed surgery when my hands seemed to be guided by a power which was other than my own. No," he said, "I wouldn't take a fee for the surgery which Someone on high helped me to perform."

My friends, may we be, as the Apostle Paul admonished, "an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." May we always be known as followers of Christ and, as such, become "as lights in the world.

Thomas S. Monson

"At Christmastime, the whole Christian world stands still to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Christmas cannot be cut out of the calendar nor out of the heart of the world — it is the supreme festive season of mirth and gladness. Love for God and one another should be the Christmas theme. Such was the divine announcement by the heavenly host that first heralded the good tidings of great joy, 'Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"
Franklin D. Richards, BYU Speeches, December 14, 1965

Establish a Celestial pattern

How is it, he then asked, that he who ruled in the heavens — the very Creator of the earth — should consent to be born in poverty, endure scorn and abuse and, in the end, be crucified?

"Jesus endured all that was necessary in life and in death to atone, redeem and establish a celestial pattern for the children of God — for us."

.... it was essential that the Son of God be "born of the flesh" and "descend below all things" so that he might redeem all things.

"Just as Jesus, we came down from heaven to do the will of him that sent us, and to achieve, with the grace of Christ, immortality and eternal life." 

The Christmas season, is rich with stories of sacrifice and ministering as people seek to help others. Such service-anchored living should be the yearlong pattern of one's life.

D. Todd Christofferson 

May today there be peace within You

One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day.

Don't clean it up too quickly.

Somehow, not only for Christmas, But all the long year through, the joy that you give to others, is the joy that comes back to you. And the more you spend in blessing, the poor and lonely and sad, the more of your heart's possessing, returns to you glad.

"So who needs Christmas? We do! All of us! Because Christmas can bring us closer to the Savior, and he is the only source of lasting joy....

"We need Christmas because it helps us to be better people,

not only in December but in January, June, and November.

"Because we need Christmas we had better understand what it is and what it isn't. Gifts, holly, mistletoe, and red-nosed reindeer are fun as traditions, but they are not what Christmas is really all about. Christmas pertains to that glorious moment when the Son of our Father joined his divinity to our imperfect humanity"

Hugh W. Pinnock

"The shepherds were invited to come and see. They saw. They trembled. They testified. They rejoiced. They saw Him wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger, the Prince of Peace....

"At this Christmas season I extend to you the gift of determination to come and see...

"A young man in deep trouble and despair said to me recently, 'It's all right for others to have a merry Christmas, but not me. It's no use. It's too late.'

"...We can stay away and complain. We can stay away and nurse our sorrows. We can stay away and pity ourselves. We can stay away and find fault. We can stay away and become bitter.

"Or we can come and see! We can come and see and know!"

Marvin J. Ashton

During my second month of college, our professor
Gave us a pop quiz.   I was a conscientious student
And had breezed through the questions until I read
The last one:
"What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"
Surely this was some kind of joke.   I had seen the
Cleaning woman several times.   She was tall,
Dark-haired and in her 50's, but how would I know her name?
I handed in my paper, leaving the last question
blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if
the last question would count toward our quiz grade.
"Absolutely, " said the professor . .   "In your careers,
You will meet many people.   All are significant . .   They
Deserve your attention and care, even if all you do
Is smile and say "hello . . . "
I've never forgotten that lesson . . I also learned that her
Name was Dorothy.

May today there be peace within You. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us."

 

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Ingredients

·         1/2 cup vegetable oil

·         1 1/2 cups white sugar

·         2 teaspoons vanilla extract

·         2 cups all-purpose flour

·         1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

·         1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

·         1 teaspoon salt

·         2 cups shredded zucchini

·         1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

·         6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

·         1/4 cup margarine

·         2 cups confectioners' sugar

·         1/4 cup milk

·         1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1.     Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.

2.     In a large bowl, mix together the oil, sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, 1/2 cup cocoa, baking soda and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. Fold in the zucchini and walnuts. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.

3.     Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until cake springs back when gently touched. To make the frosting, melt together the 6 tablespoons of cocoa and margarine; set aside to cool. In a medium bowl, blend together the confectioners' sugar, milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in the cocoa mixture. Spread over cooled cake before cutting.

Draper's Tree of Life

"Tree of Life" and learn how the city has worked to make this Book of Mormon vision into a real-life Christmas display.

Nestled in the heart of Draper City Park, a lone willow tree lights up the crisp Christmas air with over 1,000 strands of lights. This tree, seemingly ablaze with white fire, symbolizes so much more to the people of Draper than the light and warmth of the season. It has become a living symbol of the love of Christ—a vision from the Book of Mormon come to life.

But, unlike that precious fruit offered to all freely in the Book of Mormon, it took a lot of money and hard work for Draper city to create this dreamlike vision. Costing upwards of $25,000, it took four men working from eight in the morning to eight at night three and a half days to string the lights.

"The city does it for the public," says Luke Walker, head of the project from the lighting display company, Brite Nites. "They want to bring people together for Christmas and every year there are more and more people who come out to see the 'Tree of Life.'"

One look at this heavenly willow and it's easy to see where the name comes from. "In an LDS area like Draper, a lot of people just pictured it as the 'Tree of Life' and it caught on," Walker says.

The genesis for the "Tree of Life" came from former Draper City Forrester, Blaine Nelson—an idea that Brite Nites then made into a reality. It's a fitting celebration of the season for a city recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA. This Christmas display has quickly become a cherished tradition for the community, a tradition that the city hopes to continue for quite some time.

"The mayor of the town really endorses it, "Walker says. "He has praised it every year we have done it and said that it's one of the best light displays he has ever seen. [The city] will continue to do it and fund it as long as they can."

If you want to bring a little bit of the Book of Mormon into your Christmas, you can check out the "Tree of Life" at Draper City Park located at 12500 South 1300 East

Christmas is near!

Caramel Apple Pecan Cheesecake

Caramel Apple Pecan Cheesecake

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/3 cup (5 1/3 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
• 24 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup caramel sauce 
• 1 large apple, peeled, cored, and sliced 1/8-inch thick
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Have an 8 1/2-inch or 9-inch springform pan ready.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs and 1/3 cup melted butter. Press into the bottom and up the side of the pan. Place on a cookie sheet and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Beat in vanilla and 1/2 cup caramel sauce. Make sure there are no lumps because they will remain after baking.
4. Pour the batter into the pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the center is almost set (it will still jiggle but the top should be solid when you touch it. If your oven is older, you may need to bake another 5 minutes; however, don't bake it too long or it'll crack on top). Cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack. Take a knife and run it around the edge of the pan to loosen it. Let cool on wire rack for an hour then refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
5. Right before serving, make the caramel apple topping: In a large skillet, melt the 1 tablespoon butter. Add the apples and pecans. Cook for 5 minutes or until the apples start to soften. Add the remaining 1/4 cup caramel sauce and stir. Remove from the heat and cool 15 minutes. Remove the top part of the springform pan and spoon the apples on top of the cheesecake. Serve immediately. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Greater understanding

We're not supposed to be alike. . . None of us were given all the gifts of God, but we were each given at least one spiritual gift. And the reason seems obvious. The Lord needs a full spectrum of talent dedicated to his work. He also wants us to work together, rejoicing in each other's strengths and together compensating for each other's weaknesses. That is why comparing, competing and categorizing--traps we seem to fall in naturally and repeatedly--are deadly...

Sheri Dew

"Our Father will not force us to love Him or to follow His Son. Our agency is far too important to Him."
Sheri Dew 

"Imagine how our perspective and behavior would be affected if we always remembered Jesus Christ, because remembering the Lord and remembering who we are seem to be inseparably connected." 

Sheri Dew 

"Embedded within our spirits is the need to become more and more like our Father."  
Sheri Dew

There is no shortage of mountains to climb. & as painful & difficult as some of these tests of endurance, sheer will, & faith are, they are often the catalyst to our greater understanding.  
Sheri L. Dew

"Honestly, sometimes I wonder if the final judgment will be a breeze compared with what we put each other through here on earth." 

Sheri Dew 

When we throw dirt we lose ground.