Sunday, December 14, 2014

Sister Spolight-Kristin Patten








Kristin Patten

Where were you born?  I was born in Portland, Oregon.  We lived there until I was 6, and then moved to Pocatello, Idaho (home).  I grew up with a dad who loved adventure, change, and was always slightly restless (cough* ADD).  We were plumbers, pig raisers, dance club owners (I have some crazy stories), vacationers, landlords, snow skiers, and boaters.  It was slightly chaotic, but a lot of fun.
How did you meet your husband?  How did he propose?  After high school, I moved to St. George to study nursing at Dixie.  I met Shawn (or noticed him) in the computer lab while I was writing one of my papers.  He kept peeking his head over a cubicle and staring at me, but as soon as I would glance, he would pop back down.  Over the next few months, this behavior would happen all over campus.  I thought he was really cute, but then I started thinking he was just weird.  Finally one day, he did ask me out.  He was shaking, nervous, and kept toughing his hairline.  I found him adorable and said yes.  We dated for a year, before he asked me to marry him.  He took me up in a plane ride, dinner on a roof, and then a Harley ride out to snow canyon (our first date spot) where he popped the questions.  I said yes again, and we were married December 27, 2003 in the worst blizzard Idaho had seen in years.  It was awesome.  We have 4 kids (who will all marry in the spring/summer).  Their names are Lexi (9), Roscoe (7), Gretta (5), and Finn (10 months).
My favorite food is: A good salad and pizza.
My favorite hobby is: Reading.
My favorite restaurant is: Chuck - a – Rama.
My favorite music is: Anything by Hilary Weeks or (my crush) David Archuleta.
My favorite things to buy is: A great pair of jeans.
The city I would most like to visit: The beach.  Anywhere with a beach.
The best vacation I’ve ever had: A few years ago we took the kids on a spontaneous vacation to the Florida coast.  It was magical.
If I could learn to do anything, it would be: Lots of things.  I want to learn to sing, play the piano, crochet, weight lift, bake pie . . .  (I might take after my dad).
The chore I absolutely hate doing is: Moving the clothes from the washer to the dryer.  Hardly ever happens on the same day, so if you are smelling something, it’s US!
My best characteristic is: It’s hard to write about my best characteristic.  I think I’m a good friend.  I love to hear people’s stories.  I have a terrible time with small talk (I’m awkward), but I’m good with deep stuff.  I love to connect.
The thing I am most grateful for: My testimony of the gospel.  It has gotten me through some very difficult times.  I have a lot to be grateful for.


December Lesson Schedule

December 7th
Presidency Message

December 14th
#25  The birth of Jesus Christ

December 21st
#26  Preparing for the coming of the Lord

December 28th
Conference talk

December Birthdays

December 2nd
Genel Anderson

December 8th
Tiffini Vogal

December 17th
Ronda Blake

December 22nd
Kimberley Luthy

December 27th
Crystal Burton
Cindy Rose

December 29th
Edna Cutler

(I'm sorry I'm posting this so late! Please wish Genel and Tiffini a happy belated birthday!)  And happy birthday to all our RS sisters!

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Sister Spotlight- Laura Vanderslice


My favorite dinner: I love anything that I don’t have to cook! I’m not much of a chef, and I hate to cook which is one of the reasons I would make a horrible housewife. I do love desserts a little too much, but I try to be “good” most of the time. I will go on a calorie splurge for frozen yogurt and mango sticky rice from Benja’s!
My favorite flower is: I love bright, cheerful flowers like Gerbera daisies, lilies, and roses!
My favorite hobby is: I’m an outdoor kind of girl! I can’t stand to be in the house long unless I am reading a book, which I prefer to do outside on the back patio, or watching a movie. I love to run, bike, hike, swim, ski, and climb. Anything really that gets me outside and active. I also love to shop, but that’s more of an obsession than a hobby!
My favorite restaurant is: Hmmm, because I hate cooking, I adore going out to eat. This means that I have many favorite restaurants. It really depends on what I’m in the mood to eat; however, we rarely go to sushi or seafood restaurants as I don’t really like that kind of meal at all!
A game I like to play is: I really like playing any card game except that I’m ultra-competitive, so I have to constantly watch my temper while playing, or it isn’t pretty!
The music I listen to most is: I listen to pop music mostly. I just got the new Taylor Swift and Maroon 5 albums, so they are both on constant rotation as I’m getting ready for the day. My favorite Pandora station is Katy Perry mixed with Taylor Swift. This gives me a perfect mix of upbeat, fun songs!
My favorite thing to buy is: Clothes, shoes, and jewelry are the top of my list of favorite things to buy! I love shopping, especially those group deal sites, way too much! I don’t even have super expensive tastes; I can shop forever in Target. I just love having something new to wear!
A book I highly recommend is: I love books, so I have too many recommendations to even remember! There are tons of good dystopia series books out right now…Divergent, Birthmarked, The Testing, The Selection, Unwind, Rot and Ruin, etc. My all-time favorite classics are Pride and Prejudice and To Kill a Mockingbird. I also love Orson Scott Card. I’m reading the last book in his latest series Pathfinders. It very interesting if you are into science-fiction. For the rest of my recommendations, you’ll have to come see me personally!
A movie I watch over and over is: The movie I have seen the most times is Labyrinth! It came out when I was a kid, and I have always loved it. I’ve also found myself turning to Pitch Perfect every time I want a fun movie.
A smell that makes me pause is: The smell after it rains always makes me feel so recharged and rejuvenated! I also love musky colognes, lavender, and black ice tree shaped air fresheners for my car.
The city I would most like to visit is: My son, Tayler, is on a mission right now. He’s in California, but I’ve never been to any of the cities in his area which include Oxnard, Ventura, and Santa Barbara. When he gets back, we are going to travel with him all over that part of California and even include San Francisco!
The best vacation I ever had was: I’ve taken so many amazing trips because I take students and adults on trips every other year! In fact, I’m going to take a group to England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Paris in 2016! I travel with a company that gives a great discount for group traveling. They also plan everything, so I don’t have to do the grunt work. It’s vacationing the best way possible! I absolutely adore Italy, Australia, and Riviera!
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?: Tris from Divergent! She got to do so many amazingly scary and fun things!
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?: I really wish that I could tumble! I wish that I had taken gymnastics as a kid. Being able to sew is second on my list along with playing the piano.
What chore do you absolutely hate doing?: I hate any and all chores! Like I said before, I am a horrible housewife! It’s a good thing that I work and have an excuse!
What do you think is your very best feature or characteristic?: I’m super friendly and loyal! I can talk to anyone at any time anywhere. 
What is the "thing" you are most grateful for?: I love my husband and my amazing kids! Kurt is my second husband, and I think Heavenly Father had me marry him second so that I could truly appreciate what an amazing man he really is! Heavenly Father also hooked me up in the child department. My kids are absolutely perfect (well, as perfect as kids can be). Despite having me as a mom, they have all turned out pretty darn good!
What is your dream vacation?: I would still love to travel to Bora Bora and stay in the little grass huts on the water!
What's the coolest thing you've ever done?: I ran the St. George Ironman to celebrate my 40th birthday! I wanted to prove to myself that 40 isn’t really that old at all.
If you are married, how did you meet your husband?: I actually first met Kurt while traveling with a group to Italy. His sister and her daughter were traveling in my group and asked if he could come along because he had gone to Italy on his mission. He spoke Italian the whole time which was totally cool! I also noticed all the little things he did for everyone to make them feel comfortable and welcome. He is the most thoughtful person I have ever met in my life!
What would be your perfect day?: The perfect day would include playing at the beach with Kurt and the kids then relaxing in the sun reading a book while they all serve me virgin strawberry/pina colada daiquiris and yummy food!


Monday, December 1, 2014

Another soup recipe! Does it get any better?

Pasta e Fagioli (Pasta and Kidney Bean Soup)
Courtney White

1 (28 oz.) can whole tomatoes packed in juice
1 lb. Italian Sausage
1 medium onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
6 cloves garlic, minced 
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
1 quart homemade or low-sodium chicken broth
2 (15 oz.) cans dark red kidney beans
2 bay leaves
1 cup small pasta (such as shells, elbows, etc.)
salt and black pepper
2 tbsp. parsley leaves

Cook sausage, drain and set aside.  Add all the other ingredients together except noodles. Simmer for about 20 minutes. Cook Noodles, drain and add to soup. Add sausage.
Let simmer for 10 minutes.
Serve!!

Makes 2 quarts!

Soup Recipes

A big thank you to all of you who made last months Relief Society activity such a success.  Many Sister's have been asking for the soup recipes.  If you brought a soup and would like to share please email me the recipe and I'll put it in the blog.  If you didn't bring soup that night but still have a great soup recipe we'd love that too!

kimberlywray3@outlook.com


Southwest Potato Corn Chowder
Sarah Christensen

6 unpeeled medium red potatoes, cut into medium sized chunks
3 cups chicken broth
1-1/4 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/3 cup chopped roasted red bell pepper
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 cups frozen or canned corn
1/3 cup flour
1 cup milk
1 cup shredded cheese
1- 6 oz. container Greek yogurt or 3/4 cup sour cream
3 tbsp. cilantro
4- green onions chopped
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
 
In 3 quart pot, place potatoes. Add water just to cover. Heat to boiling, reduce heat to low. Cover and gently boil until potatoes are fork tender. Drain, reserve 1 cup potatoes, return the rest to the pot. In small bowl, mash remaining potatoes. Stir broth, sugar, garlic salt, pepper, ground cayenne, corn, roasted red bell pepper and mashed potatoes into pot. Cook over medium heat 5 minutes stirring occasionally. In small bowl stir flour into milk with whisk until well mixed; stir into potato mixture. Cook over medium heat until it thickens. Stir in cheese until melted. Add cilantro, green onion, yogurt and bacon until all incorporated. Remove from heat and serve.

Service Opportunity



This is a great opportunity to provide some much needed clothes for our brothers and sisters in Brazil!

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Sister Spotlight-Amelia Jenkins


Sister Amelia Jenkins




Where were you born?  Logan, Utah
How did you meet your husband?  How did he propose: I met my husband while I was on my mission in Spain. His uncle was my home teacher and his aunt was my visiting teacher. When they found out where I had received my mission call they told me that they had a nephew there and that I should tell him hi for them. I did that, we became friends, and then after the mission I felt like I should contact him. Thinking that this was silly I didn't want to do it, but a roommate told that I should have learned from my mission that if I felt something I should do it. So I emailed him, he called me, we set up a date, and the rest is history. ;) He purposed at the Bountiful, UT temple where we were married 4 months later.
My favorite food is: I really like Asian food; shrimp; salty snacks; and well, ok about anything else, I just like food.
My favorite hobby is: I like to do a little of a lot of things, I like: reading, cooking, making crafts, scrap booking, music, sewing, doing things outdoors, sports, dancing, movies, playing games, making jewelry, etc.
My favorite restaurant is: Sakura Japanese Steakhouse and Benja's Thai and Sushi
The music I listen to most is: Christian Rock
My favorite thing to buy is: Craft/Sewing Stuff
The city I would most like to visit is: One in Australia, I don't care which one. I think it would be so cool to visit there.
The best vacation I ever had was: Doing a study abroad to Spain and then getting to go to Italy with my dad for a week the summer after my first year in college. Authentic Italian gelato is amazing!
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? Singing; that is one talent I wish I had.
What chore do you absolutely hate doing? Any of them, ask my husband. ;) Mostly anything to do with organization.
What do you think is your very best feature or characteristic?  I feel that I am very outgoing and friendly, and I really like my eyes. I think they shine when I smile.
What is the “thing” you are most grateful for? My day planner/ iPhone, without them I would be lost; I have to have a way to remember all the things I need to do and places I need to be...with reminders...lol. :)

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

November Birthday's

November 8th
Kindra Adair
November 10th
Andrea Bang & Cheyenne Tippets
November 16th
Michelle Barney
November 18th
Vera Clark & Mary Murdock
November 26th
Robyn Dixon

Please remember to wish these Sisters a happy birthday!

November Lesson Schedule

November 2nd
Presidency Message
November 9th
Stake Conference
November 16th
#24 The Work of Latter-Day Saint Women
November 23rd
Conference Talk
November 30th
Combined Relief Society and Priesthood

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Time Change for Wake Up & Walk

Hello Sisters,

Please note the time change of the morning walking group.   The group is now meeting at 5:45 a.m. Everything else regarding the group stays the same.  Please see the group information  on the right side of the blog.

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Sister Spotlight-KaCee Smuin











Sister KaCee Smuin

Where were you born?:  Salt Lake City, Utah
How did you meet your husband?  How did he propose?:  Spencer and I met in high school.  He asked me to go to Prom with him because he found out that my stalker was going to ask me so he tried to get to me first; we’ve been dating ever since!  He proposed here in St. George after he got back from his mission and we just celebrated our two year anniversary this week.
My favorite food is: Chips and Dips.  I also really love chocolate.
My favorite hobby is: Reading, Movies, Mario Kart, and Reading.
My favorite restaurant is: The Olive Garden.
The music I listen to most is: Owl City.
My favorite thing to buy is: Shoes, Purses, or Books.
The city I would most like to visit is: New York City.  I have always wanted to go and see the sights and walk around Times Square.
The best vacation I ever had was: This summer when Spencer and I went to Disneyland.  It was his first time and my millionth time so it was a blast to show him everything and to go back and visit.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?: I really want to learn how to draw/sketch and I really want to learn how to cook better.  A dream job would to be a chef.
What chore do you absolutely hate doing?: Dusting.  Hands down.
What do you think is your very best feature or characteristic?: I love to laugh and I think that my sense of humor is one of my best features.  I enjoy a good joke or story and I feel like I have some good ones!