Zucchini Recipes (Salads, Casseroles, Desserts)

Here are some recipes I recently found in my files.  Haven't tried them all but....they came from church members a few years back.  Hopefully there are some good ideas for all that summer zucchini you're trying to eat.  (I actually love zucchini - and....often grate and freeze it for later.  But....here are some things you can use it for in there here-and-now.  :)  Enjoy!

Zucchini Casserole
3-4 med. zucchini, sliced or chopped
3-4 med. carrots, diced
2 onions, diced
Boil these 3 ingredients together.  
Add:
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 pint sour cream
(optional - 1 sm. can pimento, chopped fine)
Melt 1 cube butter with 2 stove-top dressing.
Grease casserole dish.  Layer zucchini mixture, then soup mixture, then dressing.
Bake 350 degrees for 40 min.

Weeds and Things....

Do you ever sit by your back garden patch and wonder how weeds find the darndest places to grow?  You've done what you can to alleviate the problem but even between the cracks in the cement - little sprouts make their way into the world.  How are they so persistent and why do they continue to grow despite the fact that we try to keep them out?

Life is filled with weeds and things.  They are a teaching tool from which we can learn.

Not too long ago a friend reminded me that 'all things testify of Christ'.  I realized that we are to learn from nature and natures' God.

Important Role of Mothers in Lord's Eternal Plan

In our day - motherhood is being demeaned and ridiculed in some avenues and by particular groups.  They say that children will be fine being raised by someone else and, they even go so far to suggest that they are better off in 'the system' which is often run by business people in far off places. 

I beg to differ and I can back that up by research as well as Prophetic statements.  But, those who deny such messages will continue the argument.  They will do and say anything to support their views - unless they yield their hearts to God and seek His wisdom and counsel.

One of my favorite statements by a Prophet of God - is this:
The greatest job that any mother will ever do will be in nurturing, teaching, lifting, encouraging, and rearing her children in righteousness and truth.  None other can adequately take her place.  Women of the Church

Many other leaders have indicated the proper and important role that women play in the Kingdom of God.

Blessings of the Temple

Provo, Utah - LDS Temple

I just returned from attending the Provo LDS Temple with my sweet 89 year old neighbor who needed a ride and some companionship.  It was a peaceful and ennobling experience.

Each time I am there I learn more and feel the Spirit guiding and directing my thoughts.  It hasn't always been that way.  It's taken time for me to develop and mature spiritually enough to recognize more of the symbolism and the way in which the Lord would have me learn.

President Monson, our current church President and beloved Prophet stated:  To members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the temple is the most sacred place on earth. It is the house of the Lord, and just as the inscription on the exterior of the temple states, the temple is “holiness to the Lord.”

Washington D.C. Temple

Years ago I attended the temple with a, then, missionary companion.  She had a gift of understanding scripture and Temple symbolism.  When she'd comment on something she'd learned I'd think 'Wow, that's beautiful.  I never thought of it that way.'  That put me on a quest to seek out truths for myself and seek spiritual gifts for my life.

Those prayers have been answered.  There is no other place on earth that I'd rather be than in the House of the Lord.

Why do Latter-day Saints build Temples?  What is their purpose?  Why do we value them so highly?

"Throughout history, the Lord has commanded His people to build temples. Temples are literally houses of the Lord. They are holy places of worship where individuals make sacred promises with God."  Read more about it here: