Sweet Potatoes

Hi Myrna,

As for me, the sweeter the better.  My mom's candied yams had tons of brown sugar on them.  I loved them.  I still make her recipe every year.  It is not the same as this recipe.  The yams are baked until tender.  Cooled, peeled, sliced, spread in layers in a buttered glass dropper pan, brown sugar and dobs of butter on each layer, then baked slow for at least three hours to let the sugar seep into the yams, basted with the juice as they cook, then served and enjoyed.  She said the secret is to spinkle a very slight amount of salt on each layer.  I do that.  The family loves them. However, they are sweet.  But so are we.

Love Ya,
Gordon

PS  Sorry about all of the commas!

Sweet Potato Casserole: Easy Recipe
Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
2 eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups cooked mashed sweet potatoes
¼ cup orange juice (optional)
For your topping:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
2 tablespoons butter, softened
/2 cup chopped pecans, and/or mini marshmallows
Now you’re cooking: Boil sweet potatoes until soft.  Peel and mash. Mix the eggs, sugar, and 3/4 cup butter, and then add your milk and vanilla. Combine liquid mixture with the mashed sweet potatoes. Distribute the potatoes into a casserole dish.  Grease the bottom of the dish before putting the potatoes in. Combine brown sugar, flour, 2 tablespoons softened butter, and pecans (or marshmallows).  Mix well. Sprinkle over sweet potatoes. Bake at 350° for 30 to 45 minutes until topping is lightly browned.  This dish serves approximately 6 people.

I honestly think this is more of a dessert than a side dish but the temple serves it as a side. I think it is too sweet and recommend using less sugar in the potatoes. The temple uses the brown sugar/nut topping but they use more nuts. One of the sisters uses both the marshmallows and the brown sugar and nuts. She just uses less of the marshmallows and nuts--1/4 cup each.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Grandma Smith’s One, Two, Three, Four White Celebration Cake

Grandma Smith’s One, Two, Three, Four White Celebration Cake

A favorite celebration recipe that has been in our family for many years is a delicious from-scratch white cake that's called One, Two Three, Four Cake.  The name comes from the first four ingredients-1 cup, 2 cups, 3 cups, and 4 eggs--easy and beautiful

Cake:

1-cup butter (2 sticks)

2-cups sugar

3-cups flour

4-eggs

3-teaspoons baking powder

1/2-teaspoon salt

1-teaspoon vanilla

1/2-teaspoon lemon extract

1 1/2-cups milk

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well between each egg. In another mixing bowl, sift together the dry ingredients. Add the dry ingredients to the butter/sugar mixture alternately with the milk. (One cup of flour mixture and mix in then add 1/2 cup of milk and beat. Do this each time, beating well between additions.) Add the flavorings. Beat on high speed of the electric
mixer for 3 minutes. Pour into two greased and floured 9-inch round pans and bake for 45-minutes or until done. Remove from oven and let cool about 5 minutes before removing cakes from pans. (I also sometimes use one 13-inch by 9-inch pan and bake for 45 minutes.)

Icing: 

3 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup butter (one stick) 

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 Tablespoon milk

12-ounces flaked coconut, separated

Cream the butter and sugar together until well-mixed. (I like to melt the butter slightly because it mixes in better. I put it in the microwave for about 25 seconds.) Add the flavorings and milk and mix until creamy. Frost the cake. (When I make the layer cake, I double the frosting recipe.) Sprinkle the coconut over the top of the cake.


Kirsten: Yummo!!!!!!  Thank you! Your darling baby ornery girl!

Books Suggestions

Kirsten wrote:

Suggestions for Christmas Books:

Penny's Christmas Jar Miracle
by Jason F. Wright
http://www.amazon.com/Pennys-Christmas-Miracle-Jason-Wright/dp/1606411675


The Spirit of Christmas by Nancy Tillman
http://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Christmas-Nancy-Tillman/dp/0312549652

Dane is Making Pumpkin Pie

Myrna wrote: Does Dane REALLY want to make pumpkin pie?

Kimberly wrote: Yeah, should he bring more than two?

Myrna wrote: Two is great. There won't be that many folks here though Eric said he would come in the late afternoon for pie. He is hoping for mince.

Sweet Potato Pie

Best Ever Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Pie

1 (1 pound) sweet potato or about 2 cups cooked and peeled

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 Tablespoon white flour

1/2 cup canned milk

2 eggs

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ginger

1/4 teaspoon cloves

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust

Boil sweet potato whole in skin for 40 to 50 minutes, or until done. Run cold water over the sweet potato, and remove the skin. (Do not store the cooked potato in the refrigerator overnight if you can’t make the pie right away. It makes the sweet potato grainy. Just prepare it when you can do the whole job at once.) Break apart sweet potato in a bowl. Add butter, and mix well with mixer. Using the mixer, stir in the sugar, flour, eggs, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Mix thoroughly. Add the milk and continue to mix. Beat on medium speed until mixture is smooth. Pour filling into an unbaked pie crust. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40 to 55 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Pie will puff up like a souffle, and then will sink down as it cools. Calories: 389  per serving. 

We always served this with whipped cream as a topping. However, some like it with a meringue topping. Place the pie on a rack and cool to room temperature before covering with meringue. For the meringue, using an electric mixer, beat 3 egg whites until soft peaks form; beat in 1/4 cup sugar 1 tablespoon at a time. Continue beating until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is glossy and stiff, but not dry. With a rubber spatula, spoon the meringue onto the pie, forming peaks. Make sure the meringue touches the crust all around. Sprinkle with a pinch of granulated sugar. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until delicately browned. Cool and serve.

From Cousin Toni Jackson

Hi everyone,

    I've been getting calls and notes from friends saying that they must have been left out of the loop cause they have not received any updates from me in quite a while..... but that is because I have not sent any.  Just have been too busy with other stuff, plus don't want to bore you with too many details so I'll try to keep it relatively short.

    November has been a busy month and it ain't over yet!  We left on 11/9 & drove to So. Calif. for my daughter Kristen's wedding to Don Burks, a great guy she met thru' work... they both work at Edwards Air Force Base which is out in the desert (where the shuttle sometimes lands) & they had been living in the desert too... she in Lancaster, him in Calif City, and Kristen being a 'Bass Lake baby" wanted to live where there are some actual pine trees, so they bought a lovely home in Tehachapi.  The wedding was in a lodge in Tehachapi, and the weather cooperated by supplying sunshine instead of fog or ice, which was nice.  It was Kristen's first marriage, so was very exciting.  Also fun and emotional to see my 'ex relatives'.., all my own kids of course, my sister & a couple of her kids and THEIR kids. it all went well.  A beautiful wedding!

    While in So. Cal. I thought I may as well get an appt at City of Hope for another opinion on my treatment.  They are the largest breast cancer research hospital in the western states.  I made the appt. months in advance and saw a female oncologist who I liked very much.  She said the treatment I am getting here in Roseburg is exactly the right thing to do.  No reason to change anything unless, or until, it stops working for me.  She said some people live with diabetes and I will just live with stage 4 breast cancer!  Who knew?  It all still seems too easy (not complaining!) I may have some of the 'ugly' treatments in my future, but not now.  Thank you God!  We also went to Disneyland & California Adventure the next day.  I thought I'd want a wheel chair & we got one but it was almost more trouble than it was worth, so we just didn't cover a whole lot of ground. We also visited Craig's boyhood ranch with the rodeo grounds in Woodlake & had lunch with his step-mom Rosemary in Visalia on the way home. I got to sit in the sunshine by her pool..... nice!

    We got home last Monday, I had oral surgery Tues. & also discovered our dog was sick. He was still sick Weds. so took him to the vet where he spent the rest of the week with a temp of 106, on an IV, getting X-rays (ca-ching!).  He's ok now, never found out why he was sick but he had been in a kennel here in town while we were gone & the owner told me her dog had been sick the week before.  I think it's irresponsible of her not to keep that dog separated from mine (& all)!

    This week we will drive up to the Tacoma area and have Thanksgiving with my son Rick & daughter-in-law Kim and her family.  It should be a fun group!  Also want to try to see Dale Chihuly's glass museum in Tacoma while we are there (he's the guy that did the huge glass flowers in the Belagio in Vegas & I attended his glass school in the mountains above Seattle  in 1985) & also hook up with some old friends I've had since the 1960's!  So... still very busy!

    Basically I still feel "fine"... have some aches & pains, a little more bone pain in my left shoulder that makes me imagine a time when I won't want to turn a steering wheel or do my own hair. This yucky fog does not help!  Craig is sore too.

    So... guess this is not so short after all.. sorry 'bout that!

    Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Stay well!  Hugs,  Toni

David's New Phone Numbers

David wrote: Mother please send this to the rest of my siblings. I do not know if I have their correct email address.

We have done away with the land line. Since we bought cell phones, no one uses the home phone except; bill collectors and the Colorado State Police wanting me to donate more money.

David      970 275 9336
Arbree    970 275 9744
Erin        970 417 0568 (if she can stop gossiping in class)
Donovin soon to come if he can do what the teacher asks
Caydin    not for a while
Barbara   970 901 4167

Please reply with your number so I have an updated list for my phone.

Thanks, Love you all
David


Myrna wrote: And you would want her to stop talking in class because? Would she still be a Trauntvein if she did?

For Eric

I wrote this letter to Steve's daughter, Stephanie, a few months ago. I had Amy proof read it.  She said that there are mistakes, she would take care of it. Will you help me out it was for her graduation? What took me hours to write will take you seconds to fix.
Thanks
 E.

I go in for surgery Monday at 9:30 am. Not a biggy, see you Thursday for pie (maybe mince meat) and others.


Dear Stephanie;

I am so proud of you for graduating from high school. It is a giant leap it to the realm of the big world. I have by and by thought of some of some of the people I went to school with and where they are in life. I think of all the changes I have made since the glory days. Some of the people I went to school with refuse to grow up and out of high school and still, to this day, live in that world: like the homecoming queen, the football jock, and so forth.
     
You have accomplished a great task and many more lie ahead of you. Some of those will be decisions such as: continuing your education as has been counseled of by the Prophets, whether or not to serve a full time mission, temple marriage (which I had better be invited to or at least be invited to the reception). These are just a few of the future decisions you will make.
     
Your life might become complicated. At some time in the future you may feel like your whole world is crashing down on you and that no one understands. The only thing that will pull you through those times is your testimony. It is a great thing having a testimony of your Heavenly father, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and the Book of Mormon.
     
I have found that all things can be overcome by the power of prayer and by searching the Holy Scriptures. Pay your tithing. I have found that this is a true principle. The Lord truly does open the windows of heaven and does pour out blessings. Was I made whole from being bipolar by doing this? No I was not, but the window was opened up and the blessings did and do come out. Your dad is one of those great blessings. He has been and will always be a most trusted and faithful friend whom I love with all my heart. I would lay down my life for that Man. Heavenly Father has eased the burden on my shoulders through your father.
     
Be that light shining on the hill. In other words, be a great example to your friends and family. Let them see the light that you emulate. Most of the time, I have discovered, being such a light comes from setting a standard and sticking to it no matter how much you are pressured. You will be blessed and so will your family and friends as you stand up and fight as a daughter of God. You are a daughter of your Heavenly Father; he loves you and wants you to be happy. I, as a friend, desire as much also.

I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that the Holy Ghost will lead us like a shepherd will lead his lambs, if we will but do right and listen. I know that the power of prayer works. In so many ways Heavenly father has guided me through life with this simple tool.

I testify of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All the things that I have done in my life that were not conducive of the sprit, I have been forgiven for doing because of the sacrifice of our Savior. I continually ask Heavenly father to help me to over come my weaknesses and forgive me when I fall. I testify of following the Prophet’s advice and attend all my church meetings, when my work permits, to renew my covenant with God that I made at my Baptism.

I testify to you about paying tithing: always pay and you will blessed. I have, along with my family, been so blessed because of this simple task. Always pay no matter what. By making that commitment and sticking to it you will come to understand it one day.

Live your life in accordance with the spirit you and will be blessed. Get your patriarchal blessing it is an added guide for you from Heavenly Father.
I love you,
Eric Trauntvein (Bubba)

From Jim and Julie Jones About Christmas Tree Sales--You Can Get a Fresh One

Christmas Tree Permit Sales

begin Nov. 23 through Dec. 23

At the

Sanpete District Office

Manti-La Sal National Forest

540 North Main Street, Ephraim

Sales will also occur Nov. 28,

9 a.m. to noon at:

Stock Corral east of Spring City,
400 permits

Ephraim Canyon, 300 permits 

Manti Stake Center, 295 S. Main,
Manti, 225 permits 

Sterling LDS Church parking lot,
175 permits 

Stock Corral east of Mayfield, 300
permits

From 9 a.m. to 10:30 at: 

Fountain Green Elementary School,
100 permits

From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at:

Forest Service District Office, Nephi,
100 permits

Each tag will cost $10

This is the last year permits willbe sold at sites outside the office.

Beth McClanahan

Information Receptionist

Manti-LaSal National Forest

Sanpete Ranger District

435 283-4151

bmcclanahan@fs.fed.us

Did You Pay Extra Postage to Get My Card?

Myrna wrote: When I took Kirsten's birthday card to the mail, I was worried that I was too late for the mail to go out for that day. Therefore, I went to the window. She said it would make it just fine. Then she said, "Oh, wait, it feels a little heavy." She weighed it and it was 1/10th of an ounce over the allowed weight. I had to pay more postage. I asked what happened if such a card was just mailed by being placed right in the box. She said that those were usually delivered with postage due and the receiver had to pay the difference.

So, my question is, did you have to pay "postage due" on the card you received? The two cards were the same size and had the same contents.

What about the rest of you, have you also had to pay extra postage? What about your anniversary card, David? It was also about the same size.

Love, M


Melanie wrote: No, I didn't have to pay extra postage. The card was in with the regular mail on Monday. Maybe Kirsten's card was heavier? Not sure.

Thanks for the money. I haven't had time to mail out my thank you cards. I did buy some new pajamas with the money. I like pajamas. I think I have become the pajama queen. In this economy it pays to have nice, warm, comfy pajamas.

Love you.
Mel


Myrna wrote: Thanks! Dad thinks the envelope had a bit heavier paper. My goodness! I wonder if they just don't pay that much attention to a card that is not taken to the window?

I am glad you got PJs. That is what I got for myself the other day. I bought a couple of pairs of thermal pajamas. Now I am as warm as fresh toast.

Melanie, I appreciate your reply. I love my girl! M