Young Women's Conference 2012

Last weekend my daughters and I had the privilege of attending the LDS Young Women's General Conference. I have attended this conference a couple of times, including once with Nina two years ago. The difference this year was that Nina sang in the beautiful choir with almost 400 12-17 year old girls. They practiced for weeks and it was a fantastic spiritual experience for all involved. As I sat in the congregation and listened to these wonderful girls sing I was struck by the spirit in a really beautiful way. Both of my girls are growing up. In just a few short years they will be out of the house and away from their mom. I have such love and adoration for the amazing young women Nina and Alyssa are. I went through a rough patch with Nina for about a year and I'm facing that with Alyssa right now, but my love is so strong for them.

Being a mother is the most sacred and humbling experience any women will ever go through in her life. I am so grateful to be a mother to three extraordinary children.

We have really set a goal in our home to put a little more focus on things of a spiritual manner. We have never been amazing at fasting on fast Sunday, but we have decided it's something we want to do. We have also decided to start holding family scripture study. I know that by adding these two things into our lives we will be blessed.  I am proud to report we have been doing family home evening on a semi-regular basis.

Another goal I have made is to start doing my Sunday spiritual postings again. I need that focus on gospel topics in my life and sharing my focus on my blog is a really motivating way for me to accomplish that.

If you have questions about the LDS (Mormon) faith you'd like me to address or a gospel topic you'd like me to write about, please leave me a comment or send me an email.

 Happy Sunday!  I included the videos of the choir Nina was a part of.... these girls went from non-singers to this amazing choir in about five weeks! About four minutes into the Primary Song Medley you get a really nice shot of Nina!

Potatoes with wheat berries (papas con mote de trigo)

An ancient dish from the country side in Chile. Most of the old chilean dishes are vegetarian, since the meat was really expensive and only enjoy on special holidays.
I hate it as a child and refuse to eat it. Now I can not stop thinking how good it is.
The "mote" is not exactly wheat berries, but is the closest substitution. You can also use barley.
Enjoy!

Potatoes with barley/wheat berries
for 4 people
Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of oil
• 2 teaspoon of paprika or merkén (chilean dry chiles)
• 1 medium onion, diced small
• 2 cups of squash, such acorn or butternut, cut into small cubes (1/2')
• 2 large potatoes, golden or red if available, peeled and cubed
• 1 cup of milk
• water
• 2 cups of cooked wheat berries/barley

Directions:

1. Cook the barley/wheat berries according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
2. In a medium saucepan over medium-hig heat warm the oil and add the paprika, let it cook for 1 minute. Saute the onion on the oil for 5 minutes or until translucent. Add the squash and potatoes and cover with milk, season with salt. Cook covered 15 minutes at low heat. Add water if star to dry.
3. When potatoes are al dente, add the cooked barley and stir, cook 5 minutes more, stirring occasionally with a fork and smash some of the potatoes and squash to give the dish consistency.
4. Serve hot.

As is sold in Chile

Spaguetti squash preserve (Alcayota jam)

An old classic, my grand mother was the one in charge of making this preserves every year at the end of the summer. The variety of squash is not exactly the same used in Chile, but the Spaghetti squash makes for a very good substitute.

Spaghetti squash preserve or Alcayota jam
para 4 mason jars
Ingredients:

• 1 spaghetti squash
• Sugar, about 500 grs or 5 cups
• Zest of 1 orange
• 3 cloves
• 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts, toasted in a skillet over low heat for 6 minutes or until they start to smell nutty

Preparation:

1. Bake the whole squash in the oven at 200C or 400F for 45 minutes or microwave until tender. Allow to cool.
2. Split and remove the seeds, with a spoon take away all the pulp and weigh. In my case I got 1100 grams. Add half the weigh of sugar and stir well. Let it stand 12 hours or overnight. This is important for the final texture of the jam.
3. The next day cook over low heat, keep it on a gentle simmer for 45 minutes. Stirring frequently.
4. Add the orange peel and cloves, after the first 20 minutes of simmering. Stir well and continue to cook.
5. Test for readiness allowing a spoonful to cool on a plate.
6. Remove from the heat and add the walnuts, mix well and pour on the mason jars. Allow to cool and refrigerate for until 3 months.

Enjoy!