This month’s activity was a “getting-to-know-you” type of activity. The sisters were asked to bring something they loved – a favorite thing – and be prepared to tell about it. However, it had to be something that they were willing to let go of because someone else would be taking it home that night.
Here’s how our activity went: As each sister entered the Relief Society room, she was handed a little piece of paper with a number on it. Unknown to us, Jenny, our RS president, was writing the name of each individual sister on a small piece of paper and putting it in a cup. We were told to hold on to our favorite item.
Louise then gave our 10-minute spiritual thought. It was based on a talk given by Boyd K. Packer in the October 1980 issue of the Ensign entitled, “The Circle of Sisters”. Here is one of the ideas from the talk Louise presented: “ Just days ago Sister Packer and I attended Relief Society somewhere in Eastern Europe. There were in attendance twelve sisters. We sang the hymns of Zion from song books—words without music—printed nearly fifty years ago. The spiritual living lesson was reverently given from the pages of a handmade manual.
I told those sisters that they belonged to the largest, and by all measure, the greatest women’s organization on earth….
I then told them about you, and they were strengthened. I spoke of the assignment to speak to you here tonight and asked if they had a message for you. Several of them made notes; each expression, every one, was in the spirit of sending something to you—not of asking something from you. One of them said, “A small circle of sisters send their own hearts and thoughts to all the sisters and begs the Lord to help us go forward.” – Boyd K. Packer
Louise then also talked about instead of just being a circle, we are actually like a pattern of lace – intertwined and interwoven, yet making one large, beautiful pattern. Louise always gives very inspiring talks!
After Louise gave her lesson, we went into the cultural hall where the chairs had all been arranged in a circle. After we were all seated, the sister having the number “1” went to the center of the circle where she showed off her item and told us why it was one of her favorites. Judy loves chocolate and had brought a bag of bite-size Snicker bars. After she told about her item, she was asked a random question (a sampling of questions is at the end of this post.) After she answered her question, Jenny drew one of the names from the cup and announced, “Cassie is the sister who will be taking the Snickers home tonight!” After presenting Cassie with the candy, Judy sat down and the sister with the number “2” stood up and the process began again.
There was a lot of talking and giggling during this activity; everyone seemed to have a lot of fun. There was a variety of “favorite” items brought: lots of chocolate, homemade bread, favorite snacks, homemade craft items, books, a favorite recipe, and even some ice cream. Louise brought some of her homemade granola and I was lucky enough to get the recipe and am sharing it in this post.
I was lucky enough to get some really great sugar cookies – soft and chewy, and presented beautifully (the recipe was included):
Bonnie’s Sugar Cookies
3 sticks (real) salted butter, softened
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tsp. baking powder
4-1/2 – 5 cups flour
Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time and vanilla. Slowly add dry ingredients. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours before rolling out – this is very important! Roll out on clean, dry surface dusted with POWDERED SUGAR – not flour. Yes, that’s right: powdered sugar.
Bake at 400° for 6-8 minutes, depending on thickness. I like them thick so I do 8 minutes. Do not overcook! They may not look done, but they are!
Louise’s Granola
3 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1-1/4 cup pecans, halved
1-1/4 cup walnuts, halved
¾ cup slivered almonds
1 cup coconut
2 Tablespoons wheat germ
2 Tablespoons ground flax seed
½ cup raw sunflower seeds
½ cup raw pumpkin seeds
5 oz canola oil
5 oz pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
Optional: Dried cranberries, apricots, dates, figs, raisins, etc.
Preheat oven to 350°. Mix dry ingredients in bowl. Whisk together the oil, maple syrup, sea salt, and vanilla. Pour over dry ingredients and mix.
Line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper. Spread the granola mix in the pan. Bake for 10 minutes.
Stir and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Stir again and pat down with a pancake turner to form a solid sheet, or else leave it loose if preferred, then bake another 10 minutes. Cool and stir in to an air tight container.
Serving Suggestions:
A small handful in a cup of plain Greek yogurt along with a few dried cranberries and perhaps a teaspoon of honey.
A heaped tablespoon of granola dresses up a bowl of oatmeal.
Goes great as an ice cream topping.
A Sampling of our Random Questions:
What is your favorite smell?
What are your favorite sports to watch?
What was the last thing you ate?
If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
What is your favorite sound?
What is the farthest you have been from home?
What makes you angry? Do you get angry very soon? How do you overcome your anger?
If given a complete freedom to start afresh, what profession would you choose and why?
Which is the funniest prank played on you or played by you?
Do you prefer the summer season or the winter season?
Which is the best vacation you’ve ever had in your life?
Which is the one television character that you simply adore?
Are you a convert or have you been a member your whole life?
If you were stranded on a lonely beach, what are the five things that you would want to survive?
What is your favorite lunch meat?
Of course, it could go on, but you get the idea!
