Live Like You Believe

Relief Society: Something Extraordinary

Poem found by Sister Kissel

The Plan of the Master Weaver


Our lives are but fine weavings that God and we prepare,
Each life becomes a fabric planned and fashioned in His care.
We may not always see just how the weavings intertwine,
But we must trust the Master's hand and follow His design,
For He can view the pattern upon the upper side,
While we must look from underneath and trust His hand to guide...

Sometimes a strand of sorrow is added to His plan,
And though it's difficult for us, we still must understand
That it's He who fills the shuttle, it's He who knows what's best,
So we must weave in patience and leave to Him the rest.

Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly
Shall God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why...
The dark threads are as needed in the Weaver's skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.


Author Unknown

Great Ideas from Sister Kearns our Provident Living Specialist

I was impressed with the 'Mormom Times' article about Bro. Brigham's doughnuts. I made them. They tasted like yeast-risen doughnuts I would like to let the sisters know something rather interesting about the 'raising agent' that was used in the recipe.

Today we rely heavily on baking powder to raise our 'non yeast' recipes. It does sometimes give an aftertaste, and it also containes some type of aluminum (for those who want to avoid overuse of aluminum.) In pioneer times they used buttermilk and soda. (That is BAKING soda.) Their buttermilk was also a little different from our commercial product. They used the liquid from churning butter.

The acid from the buttermilk, and the action with the soda gives off bubbles and raises the product. Just a bit like those 'volcanos' that children like to make!!!!

I think buttermilk and soda can probably be substituted for most recipes that call for liquid and baking powder.

I make my own buttermilk on the spot by using about 1 oz (a good glug) of 'real lemon' juice and filling up to my liquid measure of milk. I leave it for about 5 minutes and it is good and buttermilkish. Vinegar also works but somehow I feel I get a better result from the lemon juice.

In a muffin recipe that I 'experimented' with I used about 4 1/2 cups flour, shortening (oil), salt, and 2 measuring teaspoons of soda and 2 cups of buttermilk. I then washed (didn't dry) and put in 16 oz fresh blueberries. They rose really beautifully. Not just to points, but all the way around.

I was very pleased.

I would say it takes about 1 measuring teaspoon to raise 2 to 2 1/2 cups of flour. Bro. Brigham's recipe called for about 5 1/2 cups of flour and 2 teaspoons soda.

I feel all this is really handy to know because there are times when we are out of one ingredient and it is good to know that we can substitute something else and get a good result.

The Mormon Times recipe is:

Brigham's Buttermilk doughnuts

2 cups buttermilk

2 large eggs, beaten,

1 cup sugar

5-1/2 cups sifted flour

2 teaspoons soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon grated nutmeg

6 tablespoons melted butter

Combine buttermilk, eggs and sugar, and blend well. Beat in sifted dry ingredients, then stir in melted butter. Rdoll or pat dough on floured board about 1/4 inch thick and cut with 2-1/2 inch doughnut cutter. Fry in hot fat (375 degrees F.) until golden brown on both sides. Drain and sprinkle with sugar if desired.

Makes about 2 dozen.

Would this be useful for provident living purposes?

Another helpful idea is with bedsheets. Flat sheets can be 'fitted' by tying a knot at the top two corners and pulling the sheet tight then knotting the bottom two corners.

Sincerely,

Heather Kearns

CREATE!!