Sunday, December 31, 2017

A Year in Review 2017

As we close 2017 and begin 2018 - we just want to express our gratitude to all the sisters of this stake for their diligent service and willing hearts.  We have an amazing group of women in this stake and we are grateful to serve alongside all of you in strengthening our homes, our Church units and our communities.  Happy New Year to all of you!

- The Stake Relief Society Presidency & Secretary
Cindy Erekson, Lisa Larson, Kim Olivier, Lorie Pierce


Here are some highlights from this year:

In March, we welcomed Sister Kim Olivier as the new second counselor in the Stake Relief Society presidency. 













We celebrated the 175th anniversary of the Relief Society in March. We had close to 200 women, young women and Primary girls gather together for an ice cream social and anniversary celebration - following which we gathered in the Chapel to be uplifted and instructed in the General Women's Session broadcast.













 In April, we held a Women's Conference with classes, a service project and a luncheon.  Our theme was Rise Up!  We about 130 sisters attend this event.  There was a great deal of variety in the classes and we were grateful for efforts made by so many to have it be a successful activity.


















At the end of September, we gathered with over 230 sisters, including young women and Primary girls, for a dinner of soups, salads and bread.  The soups were prepared by generous and talented sisters around the Stake.  It was a wonderful evening of sharing our joy of sisterhood and of the Gospel.  We concluded the evening by watching the broadcast of the General Women's Session.  


Each year we meet together with the sisters serving in ward and branch Relief Society presidencies for training and sharing of ideas.  This year we met in late October.  We are so grateful for the wonderful sisters that serve within the units of our stake as Relief Society leaders.  Their love and concern for the sisters in their care is evident as we meet with them.



Sunday, December 24, 2017

Merry Christmas!



Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
Love, Cindy Erekson, Lisa Larson, Kim Olivier & Lorie Pierce

Sunday, December 17, 2017

Now she truly is my sister!

For years I have been on the fringes of Family History.  I'm a dabbler.  I take a class or hear an inspiring talk and get excited now and then, but I've never felt that drive that some people feel.  You know 
​"​
those people
​"​
...the ones who have spent hours, days
​, months and years digging through files, scouring old records, recording histories and traveling to check out cemeteries in far off locations. 

Sure, I faithfully go to the Temple and act as proxy for people who's existence has been discovered and ordinances readied by "those people".  I serve each week as an ordinance worker, and help countless people receive the saving ordinances of the Gospel and I must admit, I've envied the looks of joy and satisfaction on the faces of others as they've done the work for their very own ancestors.

Well, recently I have been doing the work for some of my ancestors.  Cousins 6 times removed, wives of 8th granduncles, etc.  I don't know these people.  They are not even in my direct line, but they are family none the less, and some share family names of my direct line. 

A few months ago I started using an app called Take A Name.  This app quickly searches through thousands of records in Family Search, identifies people you are related to and shows you what ordinances need to be done.  It also shows sources so you can verify if enough information is available to correctly identify this person and link them to others.  The first time I clicked on, I found 24 ancestors with 56 ordinances ready to be done.  The next time I found another 25.  It's easy to reserve names that you'd like to work on, so that when next you go to Family Search, the names are there and ready to be printed.

Is this a lazy way to do genealogy? Some would say yes.  Others might realize how wonderfully easy modern technology has made this, and would gratefully thank all "those people" who have researched, indexed and paved the way for this great work.

So, now that I'm doing the work for my own family, do I ALWAYS have a spiritual experience and the confirmation that my work has been accepted? No...not always...but let me just share one sweet experience that happened in Initiatory.  I brought 5 names with me.  5 ancestors of my own.  The very first one was my Grandmother's cousin.  As I said her name, tears began to pour down my face.  I honestly don't think they were my tears.  I was acting in her behalf, and I truly feel that her tears were streaming down my face.  The ordinance worker began to weep, and by the time we'd made it through, all 3 workers were crying.  Even the initiatory director walked down and checked on us saying she could feel the Spirit so strongly that she knew something wonderful was happening.  I will forever be grateful for this experience.  I don't expect it every time, and maybe it'll never happen quite like that again...but I do know that I look forward to meeting this sister someday.  Now she truly is my sister! 

- Cindy Erekson

Sunday, December 10, 2017

Cookie Recipe Swap

This has been fun to gather these recipes.  I know there will be some new varieties of cookies at our house this Christmas!  Thanks to all the sisters who shared.


Raisin Filled Cookies

Filling:
1 c. chopped raisins
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. water
1 Tbl. flour
Boil until thick.  Set aside to cool while making cookie dough.

Dough:
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. shortening
1 egg
1/2 c. milk
3 1/2 c. flour
2 t. cream of tartar
1 t. baking soda
1 t. vanilla
Roll out until about 1/8 inch thick.  Use round cookie cutter to cut out two circles for each cookie. Place one on greased cookie sheet and drop a spoonful of filling in the center.  Place second cookie circle over the filling and press to seal the edges. Repeat for remaining dough.  Bake in a 350* oven until you can barely see brown on cookies.

-Millie Welker (Savage Mill Ward)
“Mine is one that will always remind me of helping my grandmother in the kitchen.
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Oatmeal Cookies

2 1/4 c. brown sugar
2 1/4 c. white sugar
7 eggs
3 c. shortening
3 Tbl hot water
3 tsp vanilla
3 tsp baking soda
4 1/2 c. flour
7 c. instant rolled oats

optional:
2 c. nuts
1 pkg chocolate chips

Mix ingredients in order then drop by spoonfuls onto greased baking sheet. Bake at 375* for 8-10 minutes.

- Leah Welker (YSA Branch)
Her great-grandmother's oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe. “We do make it for Christmas, but it's also the go-to cookie at our house all year long.
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Sour Cream Sugar Cookies
1 3/4 c. sugar
1 c. shortening
2 eggs
1 tsp. lemon flavoring
1 c. sour cream
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt
5 c. flour

Roll dough about 1/4 inch thick.  Cut with favorite cookie cutters before placing on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375* for about 7 minutes. Let cool and then decorate if desired.

- Tia Welker (YSA Branch)
“One we never fail to leave for Santa.
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Pecan Pie Bars
Ingredients
Shortbread crust:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter

Filling:
4 eggs (I use 1 cup egg substitute)
1 1/2 cups light corn syrup
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar 
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 10x15 inch pan (I use nonstick foil in a glass pyrex pan).
In a food processor, pulse together the flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt. Cut in 1 cup of butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs - it will almost look like sand. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the prepared pan, and press in firmly.
Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven.
While the crust is baking, prepare the filling. In a large bowl mix together the eggs, corn syrup, sugars, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in the chopped pecans. Spread the filling evenly over the crust as soon as it comes out of the oven.
Bake for 25-40 minutes in the preheated oven until set - it will be puffy and only slightly jiggly in the middle.  If you pull too early, the middle bars will be gooey.  If you leave in too long, bars will end up dry.   Allow to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing into bars.


- Teresa Cochran (Columbia 1st Ward)
“It is a family favorite at the holidays.”
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Grammy Grahams (no bake)

2 eggs
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
1 1/2 cup chopped nuts (any kind), we use walnuts or pecans
4 tbsp shredded coconut
powdered sugar

Beat eggs in saucepan.  Add sugar and butter and cook over low heat until thickened.  Set aside to cool.  Stir in all other ingredients except the powdered sugar.  Spread in square pan and chill for 2 hours. Cut into squares and toss in powdered sugar.


- Tami Koncurat (Clarksville Branch)
“Here is a longtime favorite of the Koncurat family, passed down from great grandma.
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Gommy's candy canes

1 c shortening
1c sifted powdered sugar
1 egg
1/2 t almond extract
2 1/2 c all purpose flour 
1 tsp salt
Red food coloring (gel based works best but water is fine)
Powdered sugar (optional)

Combine shortening, sugar, egg and extract together. Sift together flour and salt and add to wet mixture. Divide in half and color half red and leave the other half white. Roll the colors into long cylinders and twist  together, cut desired lengths. Bake at 375 degrees F for 9-11 minutes.

You can dust them with powdered sugar when you place them on a wire rack to cool if you want. Gommy did but I don't. 

- Karyn Wilcox (Savage Mill Ward)
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Ginger Snaps
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
4oz. crystalized ginger, chopped coarsely

Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Combine softened butter, sugar, molasses, and eggs, beat well
Mix dry ingredients together, add to wet mixture, mix well, chill for 1 hour
Form in 1'' balls, roll in sugar, and place on greased cookie sheet 2'' apart
Bake for 8-10 minutes
Makes 36 cookies

- Elizabeth Van Patten
“This recipe for Ginger Snaps comes from a recipe I found on the top of a package of crystallized ginger a few years ago. It quickly became a favorite of mine. I love the sweet and spicy flavor and the chewy bits of real ginger in this classic cookie.”
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Chocolate Fudge Crinkle Cookies




-Debbie Wood
“I just discovered this recipe for Chocolate Fudge Crinkle Cookies.  They are even Gluten-free!  They are fantastic!  They are crispy on the outside and chocolatey fudgy on the inside.”
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Festival Holiday Cookies

Ingredients:
1 and 1/4 cup flour
1 box French vanilla cake mix
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg, at room temperature
1 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 butterscotch chips
1/2 cup sprinkles depending on the holiday

Directions:
In a large bowl, sift together flour, cake mix, and baking soda. Set aside.
Using a mixer, cream the softened butter and both sugars together on medium speed until smooth. Add the egg and mix until combined, about 1 minute. Add the vanilla and beat until combined. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Add the chips and sprinkles. Mix with wooden spoon until the add-ins are evenly disbursed.
Form dough into balls using a cookie scooper.  Refrigerate if desired until ready to bake.  You can also freeze for longer storage.
When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F.  Line two large cookie sheets silicone baking mats.
Place balls in the lined cookie sheet separating them sufficiently so they done run into each other.
Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until edges are slightly browned. Cookies will harden a bit once they cool. 
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 4 minutes and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.



-Betty Allen (Clarksville Branch)
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Molasses Sugar Cookies

3/4 c. canola oil (can reduce to 1/2 c. for a lighter recipe)
1 c. sugar
1/4 c. molasses
1 egg
2 tsp. baking soda
2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger

Mix oil, sugar, molasses, egg - beat well - add dry ingredients and mix well. Cover the dough and chill, then roll into balls and dip dough balls into sugar.

Spray or grease the cookie sheet first. Place dough balls on sheet 2" apart. Bake at 375* for 8-10 minutes.

- Tamela Terry (Columbia 2nd Ward)
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Flourless Peanut Butter Truffle Cookies
(dairy, gluten, wheat, soy free - contains nuts and eggs) (adapted from several websites)
1 egg
3/4 cup sugar (white, brown or a mix of both)
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 350.  Combine all ingredients in bowl (except chocolate chips).  Stir until well blended.  Stir in chocolate chips if desired.  Drop or scoop dough by the teaspoon  2" apart on greased cookie sheet.  Bake about 9 min or until golden and puffy.  Let stand 5 min, then transfer to cooling rack.  

Gluten Free Snickerdoodles
(gluten, wheat, soy, nut free - contains dairy and egg) (From Land O'Lakes website)
COOKIE DOUGH
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup softened butter (to make dairy free, use an alternative)
1 1/4 + 2 tbsp GF flour blend (use one with xanthum gum already added - I use either Namaste or Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1)
1 egg
1 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp salt

COATING
3 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400.  Combine 3/4 cup sugar and butter in bowl.  Beat until fluffy.  Add the rest of the ingredients.  Beat at low sped until mixed.  Combine coating ingredients in small bowl.  Shape dough into 1" balls and roll in coating.  Bake 2" apart on greased cookie sheet for 2-10 min.  Cool for 3 min, then transfer to cooling rack.

- Patricia Gardner (Ellicott City Ward)
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Minty Chocolate Slices

Ingredients:
2/3 cup margarine
1 egg beaten
1 tsp. Vanilla
A few drops mint extract
1 cup sugar
½ tsp. Baking Soda
½ tsp. salt
1 ½ cup flour
½ cup cocoa

Directions:
Mix all ingredients.  Shape into 2 long rolls about 1 ½“ in diameter.
Chill.  Slice thin and Bake at 375° for 8 minutes.

Put cooled cookies together with frosting:
3 Tbs. soft margarine
2 ½ cups powdered sugar
1-2 drops green food coloring
1/8 tsp. mint extract
2 Tbs. Milk

-Cindy Erekson (Eldersburg Ward)
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Gingerbread Cookies



-Tara Spencer (Eldersburg Ward)
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Snow Capped Christmas Trees

3 cups sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sour cream
2 tsp vanilla
½ tsp almond extract
3 eggs
7 ½ cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
Green food coloring
About 12 oz white chocolate, or white melting candy discs
In a large mixing bowl, beat together sugar, butter, sour cream, vanilla and almond extract. Beat in eggs. Add baking soda, salt and 5 cups flour, and beat until well mixed. Mix in a few drops of green food coloring. Beat in additional 2 ½ cups of  flour to make a moderately stiff dough.
Chill for 20 minutes to 1 hour for easier handling. Roll out dough and cut out with Christmas tree cookie cutter.
Bake at 375°F for 10 -11 minutes; if they brown, it’s been too long. Cool on a wire rack.
Place white chocolate in a bowl at least as wide as the cookie sides you will be dipping. Microwave in 30 second increments, stirring after each heating, until melted and smooth. Dip each edge of the cooled cookies in the melted chocolate and place on waxed paper to harden.
Makes about 6 dozen cookies (using a 3″ cookie cutter)
- Kelly Smith (Eldersburg Ward)
“Christmas Cookies are one of my favorite things! It will be fun to try recipes from sisters around the stake.

I also happen to write a food blog (www.NoEmptyChairs.mehttps://noemptychairs.me/). Every year I do a feature in December called Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies, where I feature a different cookie every day for 12 days. This year will be my 9th year doing this, so I do have a number of cookie recipes on my blog. Here is a link to a recap of last year:
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Gingerbread Men

1 cup Crisco shortening (not butter-flavored Crisco, not butter)
1 cup granulated white sugar (regular kind of sugar)
1 egg
1 cup molasses  (I used Grandma’s original unsulphured molasses.)
2 Tablespoons vinegar  (apple cider or white)
5 cups sifted all-purpose flour (or loosely spoon into cup) plus more for rolling cookies
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 ½ teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves

For icing:
1 cup powdered sugar
few drops almond flavoring (optional)
water



-Wanda Franklin (Columbia 2nd Ward)
“Cookies in the photo have names of our grandchildren.”
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CINNAMON ROLL COOKIES

Ingredients

Cookie Dough:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Cinnamon Filling:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Glaze (Optional):
1 Tablespoon melted butter
1 Tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 dash all spice
1 cup powdered sugar

Directions

In a large bowl or using a mixer, cream together softened butter, light brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth.  Beat in each egg, one at a time.  Stir in the vanilla.  Combine the cinnamon, flour, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl; stir into the creamed mixture until all ingredients are combined.  Separate into two balls.  Cover and refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour.

Cream together cinnamon filling ingredients in a small dish until the mixture is well blended.  Set aside.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out each ball of dough to a 12x6 inch rectangle.  Spread 1/2 of the cinnamon filling mixture over each rectangle. Roll each rectangle (lengthwise) into a log.  Cut each into 1-inch segments using a serrated bread knife or cut using plain dental floss.  Place each segment at least 3” apart from other cookies on the cookie sheet (they will increase in size while baking).

Bake for 8-10 minutes in the preheated oven. Use a flat spatula to move the cookies while they are still very warm and fresh from the oven (the cinnamon sugar mixture will make them stick if you wait too long to remove them from the cookie sheet).  Cool completely.

(Optional)  Whisk glaze ingredients together until desired frosting consistency is reached (firm, not wet).  After the cookies have cooled, pipe the frosting glaze in a zig-zag pattern over the cookies as an added touch!



- Adrianne C. Blake (Columbia 2nd Ward)
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Peanut Butter Chocolate Swirl Cookies

½ cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
½ cup peanut butter, creamy
1 egg
2 T milk
1 ¼ cup flour
½ tsp salt
½ tsp baking soda
1 ½ 12 oz bags semi sweet chocolate chips

Cream butter, sugar and peanut butter.   Blend in egg and milk.  Add flour, salt and baking soda and mix well.  Chill dough for about 30 mins.  Place ½ the chilled dough between two sheets of wax paper and roll into a ¼ thick rectangle (about 14x8 inches).

Remove top sheet of wax paper.  Melt ½ the chocolate chips and spread all over the dough.  Roll the dough long-side to long-side and wrap in the wax paper.  Repeat process for other ½ of dough and chocolate chips.

Chill dough rolls for at least ½ hour.  (I prefer to freeze the dough roll.)  Slice cookies ¼ inch thick.  Place on ungreased cookie sheet (I prefer to use parchment paper on my cookie sheets to ensure better baking and less burning!).  Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.  Yield about 4 dozen cookies.


-Lorie Pierce (Eldersburg Ward)
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