Stake Presidency Christmas Dinner

Friday evening, December 18th, we held our annual Stake Presidency Christmas Dinner at our home. These are the wonderful brethren along with their wives, who work with Ron in the Marysville Stake. It is such a joyous occasion when we all get together....we feel like family, as there is a great love felt among all of us.

Seated around the table from left to right, are Wayne Wilcox (1st counselor) and his wife Janet, next is Mike Rounds (stake clerk) and his wife AnnaLisa. Then I am seated with Ron standing beside me. On the right side of the table is Dora Lebo and then her husband Steve (2nd counselor). Next is Rhonda Wilcoxson and Greg (executive secretary.) Ron says that he couldn't perform the heavy responsibilities of his calling without these wonderful brethren. All of them "go the extra mile" in their service and support. It is a privilege to be associated with such good and kind people. Merry Christmas everyone!

Recipes:

Creamy Broccoli Salad

Sauce: 2 cups mayonaise (NOT Miracle Whip)

4 T. sugar (or fructose)

4 T. lemon juice

Salad Mix: 3 - 4 heads broccoli washed and broken into small pieces

1 cup dried cranberries (let them sit in hot water for a while if they are too hard)

1 cup dry roasted peanuts (lightly salted)

3 - 4 green onions, chopped

small package of bacon, cooked crisp and broken into pieces

Blend sauce ingredients together well. Set aside. Prepare salad mix. Add sauce to broccoli salad ingredients and mix thoroughly. Place in refridgerator for at least one hour or overnight before serving.

Southern Bean Casserole

Bottom Layer: 2 cans cut green beans, drained

1 can whole kernal corn, drained (may use frozen)

Next layer, mix together and spread on top of bottom layer: 1 can of Cream of Celery soup

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup chopped onion

Next layer, grate and spread on top of second layer; 1 cup of grated sharp cheddar cheese

Top layer, mix and sprinkle on top: 24 Ritz crackers, crushed,

1/2 cup melted butter

1/2 cup sliced almonds

Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.

Christmas Raspberry/Cranberry Jello

2 small pkgs raspberry jello (as directed on package)

1 can whole berry cranberry sauce

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 package frozen (or fresh) raspberries

2 cups freshly grated (large grate) apples

Optional Whipping Cream for topping

Pistachio Torte

Layer 1 - Crust

1 cup flour

1 cube butter

2 Tb. sugar

1/2 cu p chopped nuts

Layer 2

Soften 12 oz. cream cheese

Mix with 2/3 cup powdered sugar

Fold in 1/2 carton of 9 oz. carton of Cool Whip

Mix well. Spread on cooled crust.

Layer 3

Mix 2 small pkgs of instant pistachio pudding with 4 cups milk, according to package. Spread on top of cream cheese layer

Layer 4

Spread remaining 1/2 carton of Cool Whip on top. Sprinkle with chopped nuts. Chill at least 1 hour before serving.

This torte may be used with instant chocolate pudding also.