Just Shy of Paradise

Just Shy of Paradise
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Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Scandalous Desserts and More

My goodness what do you find out with a group of women, older women at that? Even though I don't consider myself old enough to be a member of the Daughter of Utah Pioneers a few years ago my friend Sherry invited me to attend with her. I assured her that I would not want to belong to group of old ladies (sorry this is what I thought). Sherry lured me with promises of good food. Well the food was great and the company was fun. At 52 I am one of the youngest members in the Sagwith camp. Last month I mentioned that I'd been to southern Utah with a group of Mormon Feminists. "Polygamists, did you say?""No feminists." "Who made the pumpkin pie?" several women wanted to know. Marjean, who brought the pie answered, "Sam's." "Who did she say made the pie--Sharon?" "Oh Shirley made the pie" By this time I'm laughing. Marjean is laughing trying to explain that she picked up the pie at Sam's Club while Donna is still laughing about the Feminist Polygamists. Now all this confusion is not because they women are just too old to hear, although that might be a little of the problem. The problem is that the tables are set out like a big long banquet table and what is said at one end will surely change--just like that old game we used to play at birthday parties. You know where you whisper something like, "Last night we ate pizza," and it turns into "The end of the world is here!" Or something scandalous--always something scandalous which brings me to the next month at DUP.

This month we had a luscious dessert. I recognized the dessert and used to make it when I made such things back in the day. The recipe was given to me as Oblong Pie. As we ate this dessert, someone said, Myrt calls this Filthy Wilma. "Filthy Wilma?" Yup that's right. So I came home and looked up the dessert and came across this quote in a blog about the dessert. "Anyway. So when I arrived (finally!) for the wedding, one of the first pieces of news gleaned from my brother and my sister was that there was a pan of Filthy Wilma in the fridge, left over from the previous night's festivities. What is Filthy Wilma? Well, as Amilynne puts it, if you're a good Mormon, it's Republican Dessert, and if you're a bad Mormon, it's Filthy Wilma."

I wonder what the name of the dessert would be called for me, a semi-decent Liberal leaning progressive Mormon? Luscious Linda, Jolly Jack, Obama Dreamcake, Raunchy Rachel, Hotty Hilary--Okay now they are sounding--well a little raunchy. Anyway it sounds a bit like our conversation at Relief Society tonight--or whatever it is they are calling it these days. I would tell you what the bishop's wife told us, but you can go over to her blog at Clawson live and search "F word" for the story. It's a good one with a good moral and everything. And here's the recipe for Filthy Wilma or whatever you want to call it.


Filthy Wilma Recipe
CRUST:

1 c chopped nuts
1 1/4 c flour
1 cube melted butter

1st Layer

8 oz cream cheese
1 c powdered sugar
1/2 container Cool Whip

2nd Layer

1 small pkg. chocolate instant pudding
1 small pkg vanilla instant pudding
3 c milk

Last Layer

1/2 container Cool Whip
chopped nuts

Mix crust and press in 9x13" pan. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. Chill before adding each layer. Combine each ingredient for each layer and top with the chopped nuts.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Christmas Romance & Family Nights


Last year I read one of Aubrey Mace's books "Spare Change" and found it really cute and different from most LDS romances. So when she asked for volunteers from our LDStorymakers to do a review, I volunteered. This is a quick read. I loved the beginning which is laugh out loud enjoyable. Abbie had given up finding the perfect man and contents herself with a fulfilling single life as the owner of a bakery and doting aunt. On Christmas Eve on a whim she quickly scrawls a note to Santa asking for a man. She sets the note out with a can of Pringles and a Coke and goes to bed. Of course, in the morning she is shocked to find a handsome man who has no idea how he got there. And yes he had eaten the chips and drank the Coke. The pace slows but keeps you interested enough to the last page. Of course you have to find out if the man with SBC on his silk pajamas really did come from Santa. It's reminiscent of the movie "Santa Clause" and old Christmas comedies. This book is an unapologetic light and a feel-good read for women who want to escape for a few hours. It won't change your life, but I don't think it was meant to. I believe it is available in most LDS bookstores.

2. Another one of my friends, Anne Bradshaw, has really worked hard to put out a great help to LDS families. Anne compiled a wonderful idea book of family home evening ideas from Mormons that are somewhat recognizable or outstanding in some way. I say all this a little hesitantly because an idea from me is on page 149. I hesitated to be included in this book because she called it "Famous Family Nights," and I'm neither famous or good at family home evenings. However it's an honor to be included in this fun little book. One of my favorite posts comes from Matthew Buckley author of the "Chicken in the Headlights" books describing his brother measuring belly button lint. Doesn't that remind you of some of your attempts at FHE? Anyway, there are some spiritual posts too and some that are really of help. I can see this being a wonderful gift for grandparents to give to their children or Home teachers or Visiting Teachers to give to their families. Wouldn't that be fun Christmas gift? Do not let the cover put you off. I have to say I am not a fan of the cover which makes it look like it is for little kids. This is a book for all age families. My post deals with adult children so I know this is true. Anyway it is also available in LDS bookstores and at Anne's website.