Wendy Cohen

Wendy Cohen grew up in a home filled with love and laughter. Born and raised in Queensland, Australia she now lives in Bountiful, Utah. 

Wendy has served in many church callings which include; Primary presidency, Primary teacher, Faith in God leader, Stake YW presidency, YW presidency, RS teacher, Stake RS presidency, RS president, seminary teacher and now serves as a Sunday school teacher to the 14/15 year olds. 

Wendy and her husband Robert are parents of four children. 

Wendy loves ice cream and cereal for birthday breakfast, doing laundry, any opportunity to teach, people watching, making people smile, and hearing her children say ‘I love you mum’.   

Wendy not only has her own blog, 'Fairy Thinking......and other stuff' (that she readily admits isn't kept as up to date as she'd like) but has also been an occasional writer on A String of Pearls, an international e-magazine for women. 

You can find Wendy on Facebook and on Pinterest.

Presentation information:

‘Taking Time for Self’ 
(aka: 'I don't give a darn day')

 As women we get caught up in our busy day to day lives taking care of everyone around us. We sometimes forget that in taking care of people we also need to take care of ourselves. This presentation is full of fun and laughter as Wendy points out the importance of taking time for YOU.


'My Savior My Friend'
We all need a friend who understands what we're dealing with. Whether it's loneliness or sorrow or pain of any kind. We need someone who 'gets it'. The Savior 'gets it'. He's been there done that.

  ‘Uniquely You’

It is the differences in the flowers that make a beautiful bouquet or the different voices that make up a beautiful choir. Oscar Wilde once said “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” In this fun presentation, Wendy discusses how we are the same, but different and how to love and accept those things that make us different...or unique.


'Hearts Knit Together'
"Sisters, sisters, there were never such devoted sisters...."  My sisters are my best friends but when I live so far away from them I am grateful for my other sisters.....YOU. Sisters in the gospel. We'll celebrate the sisterhood we enjoy in Relief Society...and we'll laugh.

Each presentation runs about 40 minutes long.

TESTIMONIALS:  

Wendy tends to downplay her gifts and talents. She has a heart of gold and arms that reach around many, many people. Wendy knows what Christlike service is, and she lives it. A presentation by Wendy will delight, inspire, and give you the gift of laughter. Wendy sees the humour in day to day life.  Spend time with Wendy and you will see your world differently.....Jane (Brisbane Australia)

Sister Cohen's sharp wit and down-to-earth humor will lift and inspire, cause you stop and reflect on the truths she speaks, and then send you joyfully on your way, much richer for the experience......Marilyn Atkinson (Hyrum, Utah)

Wendy Cohen teaching or speaking is an event not to be missed. I love the way she teaches, she is able to talk in a way that motivates and uplifts.....Lynette King (Brisbane, Australia)

Laugh-out-loud good times!.....Julie Kland (Bountiful, Utah)

True wit and wisdom delivered with an Aussie accent - what could be better than that?! Listen, laugh, and learn - this amazing lady will change your life! .....Stacie Stone (Bountiful, Utah)

Wendy is 'just what the doctor ordered'. She reminds me of an LDS 'Erma Bombeck'. She has a wonderful sense of humor and can make you laugh one minute and cry the next. She is very knowledgeable about the gospel and has an uncanny ability to tie everyday life into gospel principles. I smile every time I think of Wendy and am blessed to have her in my life........Juleen Bell (Bountiful, Utah)

Wendy is resourceful, she is sensitive, she is direct and will always give her honest opinion.

I have left Wendy's company knowing at least three things
1. I can do it
2. I am happy again
3. I am blessed
.......and remember to laugh...........Kirsten Faloon (Limerick, Ireland) 

‎Wendy is the "silver lining" to every dark rain cloud. She will support you through anything with humour and sensitivity. If Wendy's on your team, you cannot fail......Deonne Bailey (Brisbane, Australia)

The Olympics, A View From The Couch

I'm not someone who sits around watching sports. There is only one game that is important to me and I even get up at 3am to watch it. It is the State of Origin.

This year is the first year I have plonked myself in front of the couch and watched so much of the Olympics. It

Born Brave {CD Review}

I have to admit that the name Katherine Nelson is new to me. I haven't heard anything of her prior to listening to this CD. I am super happy to introduce Katherine to my friends and readers now that I have heard her.

This CD is all about women. I have tried for years to get across to women that WE ARE INCREDIBLE!!! We are STRONG!! We are

Saying NO 101

I've spoken about it many times as I go around speaking to women. The need for more of us to say 'NO' when asked to do something. The guilt seems to overwhelm us and we agree to do something that adds extra burden to our lives, family or even finances.

Uniquely You

Last night I enjoyed sharing this topic with the ladies of the North Canyon 3rd ward. We had a lot of laughs together. As promised, here are the quotes that I used in the presentation...plus a couple of extras. Thank you all for a wonderful night....and the yummy fruit pizza.

I Don't Give a Darn Day.............

Yesterday it was my privilege to be a presenter at a women's conference. The topic of my presentation was "I don't give a darn day". Around the board behind me I had displayed a number of very funny signs and quotes. I thought it much easier for people to come to my blog and see them than for me to email everyone where I found them. So here they are. If I have done it right then you simply need to click on the picture and it will take you to the source of the picture.

9/11...a view from an Aussie

There are things happen in our life that we will always remember where we were and what we were doing at the time. September 11th 2001 was one of those days.

We had just moved into a new house. We that is, except my husband who was back in America visiting his family. The children were all in bed and I was on the computer chatting with friends from all over the world. One of my friends mentioned that a plane had just hit the world trade centre. I was asking questions like "Was it a small plane? What was it doing so close to the buildings?" etc. He of course wasn't able to answer the questions I was asking then all of a sudden he said "Another plane!!! Another plane has hit!!!"

The Elusive °....or degree sign

I type a lot of recipes. Whether it's to post on my blog or just to put in my file on the computer, etc, I type a lot. Everytime I've come to the temperature I have to type the complete word...degree. It gets old and it just doesn't look right.

Surely there's a way to simply type ° rather than write 'degree'. So I went in search of the 'how to'. I found help all over the place...as you do.

Zucchinis Galore.....

This is the time of the year that neighbours are dropping off 'zucchini bread' or 'zucchini brownies'. Everyone is trying to disguise this abundant vegetable (although some may argue that it is a fruit). If there was such a thing as a 'State Vegetable' then zucchini would be it for here in Utah.

Everyone has a thriving garden here (all except me it seems) and everyone plants zucchini. There is nothing unusual about opening your front door to find a bag full of zucchinis that some kind neighbour dropped off as they went for their morning walk.

So what to do with them? Yes the bread and the brownies are lovely but I think I have hit on a real winner here. I found a recipe for...wait for it...Zucchini CANDY!!! So being the kind of person who tries different or interesting recipes at least once (Vinegar Pie  and Velveeta Fudge for example) I tried it.

These are such a huge hit in my home with my teenage sons that now I am going to have to plant a garden next year and grow my own zucchinis.

Salsabol

If you have found my recipe for Eggplant Salsa then you will know how much we love salsa in our house. Today I found this bowl online that would fit perfectly in our family.

This bowl makes the art of scooping salsa onto your chip, effortless. No more fear of having the blob of salsa fall straight from your chip onto the table as you lift the chip to the edge of the bowl. Just think of the money you save right there.

Tip Junkie....Homemade Projects

I messed up big time on my first time at all this 'sharing'...but...Oh well.

Bloggers from all over are sharing their homemade projects. The one I shared is my Eggplant Salsa...but of course when it asked for 'Name'....I put MY NAME and not the name of the project. DUH!

Menu for a month

For the past number of years I have found that making a menu, and following it, makes my life so much easier and find it saves us money as well. I thought I'd share my latest monthly menu with you in hopes that someone might find it helpful.

Monthly Menu Blogger

Back to school

Feeling the need to get your nails done to celebrate 'back to school'?

The Daily Nail: April 2010 (clipped to polyvore.com)

Parenting....

I have been a guest contributor on a blogEzine. This is my latest contribution.

Another 4th in July.

LDS Welfare Square

Yesterday my husband an I took our three teenage sons to visit the LDS Welfare Square.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has always shown concern for the poor and needy, from the very beginning. For example, back in 1842 the women's organization, known as Female Relief Society of Nauvoo. That same organization continues to function today known simply as Relief Society and is about 5 million (give or take) members strong.

They also showed concern when they traveled across the plains by planting crops that they would never use themselves. They planted them for those who would follow after them.

The church continues this concern and care today, all over the world, through tithes and offerings and this incredible place known only as 'Welfare Square'.

At the square they have walking tours to show you throughout all the buildings. They say it takes about an hour but I think we were there much less than that. We were shown through the 'Bishops storehouse' which is where those people who are in need of food can turn and be given what they need (member and non-member alike). All that is asked is that they then volunteer in someway so as to be able to feel good about themselves by helping others.

This building is stocked with foods that have been prepared and or canned by volunteers. In fact, I myself have worked, as a volunteer, in one of these factories many many years ago. As a congregation we were asked to work the 11pm shift to can beans. We were to drive 45 mins away and work a four or six hour shift. We did so happily because this we knew, was helping others. As we left another crew came in.

Yesterday as we were shown around, the factory there was working on jars of pasta sauce. Again manned by volunteers of the church.....but I am ahead of myself.

Behind the Bishop's Storehouse was the warehouse that holds all these canned foods. They showed us a remarkable box that contains enough food to feed a family of 4 for a month. These boxes fill trucks and shipping containers and are sent to where they are needed after a natural disaster...wherever it happens in the world.

We walked past a bakery, and a dairy where we just missed seeing them with the milk bottles...(they produce regular and chocolate milk)....and passed by a group of volunteer workers just leaving after they had finished with the cheese. We got to taste the chocolate milk and the cheese. They were both DELICIOUS. The sister missionary who showed us around made the comment that the factories produce the best food that money can't buy. Even if we wanted to buy the chocolate milk we couldn't. It is merely to give to those who are in need.

We walked past big silos that store wheat that is only for use in disasters. Our guide said that every 4 years or so if it hasn't been used they empty it and fill it up again. They don't waste the wheat that is emptied out. They give it to organizations who could use it and distribute it.

We then walked through the back of Deseret Industries where goods that are donated are cleaned up and place out in the store front to sell. Money from DI is then used to help with this humanitarian/welfare effort. After the tour we went back to the store and provided our own 'help' in the effort and purchased some fun items. "Hello. My name is Wendy and I'm a DI addict."

At the end of the tour we sat and watched a video that ran for about 15 minutes. It was about 'why' and 'how' but mostly it was uplifting and inspiring. I can not imagine anyone going on this tour or even watching the video and not leave with a desire to do something that would contribute to this effort....or some other great cause (I'm thinking of the Red Cross or the Salvation Army who also do INCREDIBLE work).

This video is a good 10 minutes but it shows examples of what the humanitarian leg of The Church of Jesus Christ has done, there are stories from some of those who have been on the receiving end as well as comments from Senator Ted Kennedy and leaders of countries who have been recipients.

To all who look at the news and see devastation around the world and wish there was something you could do...well there IS.

Homemade Cereal and teenage boys.....

 I get a real kick out of making my own things. A few months ago I tried my hand at a recipe I'd had sitting in the bottom of the recipe pile for some time. You know the 'one day I'll try this' recipe pile. After trying it I found my teenage sons loved it and actually told me not to buy cereal anymore. 

Well...we made the big move from Australia to USA and I haven't made it because I don't have my grinder yet...but soon I will and I look forward to making it again for my boys.

Grape Nuts

• 3 1/2 c. whole wheat flour (I sift the flour I grind myself but I reckon you could leave the wheat germ in it)
• 1 c. brown sugar
• 1 t. salt
• 1 t. baking soda
• 1 t. cinnamon (this is optional but I added it this time and the boys really like it)
• 2 c. sour milk or buttermilk (you can make milk sour by adding a T. of vinegar to it)
• 2 t. vanilla

Mix thoroughly and pour into a greased cookie sheet with sides. Bake at 180° C (350° F) for 15 minutes. Cool completely. At this point, this looks and smells like cake. Once the cake is cooled completely, cut it into pieces and whirl it into crumbs in the food processor. Don’t process too long because you don’t want it to get gummy. Spread this crumbly mixture into two jelly roll pans. Bake at 150° C (300° F) for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Take out of the oven and allow to cool before putting it into a storage container.

A few notes: I grind my own wheat but using store bought whole wheat flour will still work fine. Someone who makes this recipe also tried adding some dried TVP (textured vegetable protein) through the grain mill and added a cup of that to the grape nut recipe. Then increased the milk by 1/4 c.  "This built in some extra protein which some of my young athletes-in-training need for breakfast." I haven't tried this but it is worth a try. TVP makes me shudder but because it will be dried it will have the same texture as the 'grape nuts' and should be fine.

What homemade items have you made that you get a real kick out of? (ie: laundry detergent, shampoo, etc)

Homemade Chocolate

I have been making chocolate for years and for years people have asked me for the recipe. I have finally put the recipe up for everyone to see over here: A String of Pearls

If you go over and like what you read please leave a comment there and if you're interested I will be happy to share just how we made STRAWBERRY chocolate....but you'll have to leave a comment so I know.

Money...money....money.....

This is a picture of an ATM receipt someone left at a gas station recently. Alas it is not from my account but it sure can make one daydream about the 'what ifs'.

So....What if it was yours....what would you do? List the top five things you would do if you had this kind of money.

Sibling Rivalry

Who hasn't lived through it with your own siblings or dealing with it now as your own children grow. Here is a fantastic idea that is sure to help with who gets to sit in the front seat of the car or who gets to choose the TV show to watch or ANYTHING for that matter.

The Pocket Referee

 

I'm sure you have some tales to tell of sibling rivalry in your life. I'd love to hear them so go ahead and share.