Merry Melody's

Quest for the best Key Lime Pie

2011-08-11T17:57:00.000-07:00

Take 1
Allrecipes Key Lime Pie VII

Tasty but quite rich

Take 2
Martha Stewart

If you've got a winner please share. :)

Also trying tonight...

Pina Colada Punch minus the rum

Success from last week...

Fish Tacos
Bobby Flay Fish Tacos minus Jalapeno

White sauce
vanilla yogurt
mayo
cumin
dill
chili powder

YUM!

Surf's Up Sisters

2011-08-11T17:53:00.000-07:00

Additional Relief Society Meeting

Surf's Up Sisters
Righteous Surf - Spreading the Gospel on line - creating a mormon.org profile etc.
Riptide - Safeguarding your family from pornography.

Strengthening Sisters - socializing over key lime pie & Pina Colada Punch

2011-06-10T07:57:00.000-07:00

Primary Miss You

Relief Society Conducting Sheet

2011-06-10T07:56:00.000-07:00

Relief Society Conducting Sheet
Welcome/Visitors
Opening Hymn __________
Opening Prayer _______________________
Brief Announcements (Opportunities to serve, upcoming events, illnesses, etc)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Missionary Moment
Lesson ______________________________
Thank Teacher & Music
Next Lesson _________________________
Closing Hymn _______
Closing Prayer ________________________
Handbook 2 Administering the Church, 9.4.1

Visiting Teaching Question of the Month

2011-06-10T07:55:00.000-07:00

Visiting Teaching Question of the month
Prayerfully consider the following questions and let the Spirit guide you as to which ones to ask.
Did you receive the messages from the most recent General Conference? Did you make any goals after conference? How can I support you in achieving them?
What keeps you up at night?
What can I do to help?

Relief Society Teacher Notebooks

2011-06-10T07:51:00.000-07:00

Teacher Notebooks contain the following information as well as a copy of Teaching No Greater Call, Gospel Principles and the Relief Society Declaration

Relief Society Teacher
You have been called of God to serve in the Relief Society
Relief Society prepares women for the blessings of eternal life by helping them increase their faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and help those in need. Relief Society accomplishes these purposes through Sunday gospel instruction, other Relief Society meetings, visiting teaching, and welfare and compassionate service. (Handbook 2: Administering the Church (2010), 9.1.1)
Teachers and Leaders
As teachers and leaders teach the gospel, they are guided by the following principles.

Love Those You Teach
Teachers and leaders show love and sincere concern for those they teach. They learn class members’ names. They review attendance information so they can be aware of class members who are not attending regularly. They may contact these members outside of class to encourage them in their participation.

Teach by the Spirit
Teachers and leaders seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost in preparing and teaching lessons. They seek this guidance by praying and humbly recognizing their dependence on the Lord. During lessons, they invite the Spirit by bearing testimony of the doctrines they teach.

Teach the Doctrine
Teachers and leaders use the scriptures, the teachings of latter-day prophets, and approved curriculum materials to teach and testify of the doctrines of the gospel. Approved curriculum materials for each class or quorum are listed in the current Instructions for Curriculum. As needed, teachers and leaders supplement curriculum materials with Church magazines, particularly the general conference issues of the Ensign and Liahona.

Invite Diligent Learning
Teachers and leaders encourage class members to be responsible for their own gospel learning as individuals, in their families, and during class instruction. They encourage class members to bring their own copies of the scriptures to class where possible. Teachers and leaders provide opportunities for class members to actively participate in discussions, and they invite class members to live the gospel and receive the promised blessings.
Handbook 2: Administering the Church (2010), 5.5.4

Printed and Online Resources for Learning and Teaching
To help members improve in learning and teaching the gospel, the Church provides two publications: Teaching, No Greater Call and the Teaching Guidebook. These resources are available in print and on LDS.org. Other resources are also available on LDS.org.
Handbook 2: Administering the Church (2010), 5.5.6

Teacher Support Meetings are available the 4th Tuesday of the month at 7pm James Street Building
Second and Third Sundays
Second and third Sundays, the lesson is taught by a member of the Relief Society presidency or a Relief Society teacher. She uses the current Relief Society manual. Lessons are generally taught in the order they are presented in the manual and on the same Sunday they are taught in elders quorum and high priests group meetings.
The Relief Society presidency sees that all women in the ward ages 18 and older receive a copy of the Relief Society manual for their personal study, regardless of whether these members are able to attend Sunday Relief Society meetings. Leaders encourage those who attend to bring their copies of the manual and, where possible, their personal copies of the scriptures.
Fourth Sunday
On the fourth Sunday, the lesson is taught by a member of the Relief Society presidency or a Relief Society teacher. The teacher uses messages from the most recent general conference. The stake president or bishop selects the messages.
Handbook 2: Administering the Church (2010), 9.4.1

Typically Relief Society Instruction is from 11:15 to 11:55.

Lesson Schedule
Sunday Rotation
Contact List
Presidency and other teachers
Possible Substitutes
Teachers are encouraged to ask other Relief Society teachers to trade Sundays as necessary
Additional sisters who may be interested in teaching...

Visiting Teaching Magnets

2011-06-10T07:48:00.000-07:00

Sheep is on it's side until VT is done.

Family and church councils Relief Society Lesson

2011-06-10T07:41:00.000-07:00

295 O Love that glorifies the Son
129 Where can I turn for peace

casualness causes casualties

Our Marriage and Family Relations manual says…
One of the more important furnishings found in most homes is the kitchen table. It may be small, it may be large, or in the form of a little counter with barely room to put the food and utensils. Its major function seems to be a place for the different members of the family to receive nourishment; temporal nourishment through meals prepared and eaten together and spiritual nourishment from discussions, scripture study, prayers, family home evenings and family councils. (Marriage and Family Relations, 51)

Quote 1
In a family council we talk about the needs of the family and the needs of individual members of the family. It is a time to solve problems, make family decisions, plan day-to-day and long-range family activities and goals. It is a time to share one another’s burdens and joys and counsel together, to keep each family member on the right track spiritually. It is the time when we discuss family matters, much as a bishop or branch president does with his ward or branch leaders. It is when parents use the tremendous powers of the council system. A family council could certainly be part of family home evening, but it could also take place at any time. (Ballard, Ensign June 2003)

Quote 2
Single parents often come home tired after a day at work. Then they’ve got to prepare dinner and help children with homework. They stretch themselves emotionally to the point that they may not have the energy or time to sit down and have a family council in a formal way. But the more stress there is on a family, the more important family councils become.
The key for a single parent—and other parents as well—is to take advantage of informal counseling opportunities with a child. They might be while driving in the car, doing the dishes, or in the morning and evening just before prayers. As tired as you may be, it’s wise to invest the time and attention it takes to make an effective connection with your children. It is far better to lovingly communicate in the beginning, while they are young, than to try and hammer it into them later when behavior changes more slowly. (Ensign June 2003 Family Councils A Conversation with Elder and Sister Ballard)

What is keeping you up at night? What do you want to see happen in your family?

Examples of Councils
1. Car
2. Boyfriend
3. Death
4. Ward Council (from June 2011 Ensign)
5. Quorum of the 12 Apostles
6. Council in Heaven
From Elder Ballard's book Counseling with our Councils.

What are some of the attributes of your group’s council example?

Free Expression - Willingness to listen Increases insight and inspiration Energizes people through their input and being heard. D&C 50:10 Isaiah 1:18 1 Corinthians 12:14,18-21,25-26

Vision Proverbs 29:18 Parents - Executive Council/Date night

Agency

Serve with love

Delegate - Share burden and joy Exodus 18:17-18 Luke 16:10 When more people feel ownership of the problem, more people are willing to become part of the solution, which greatly enhances the possibility of success. (Ballard 15) to empower and prepare for future service Visual One cup trying to hold all the weight by solving all the problems v/s using the council.

Teach by Example – Set an example of hard work

Clear Instructions – Direction – Lead Preside See Family Proclamation

Step by step plan

Holy Spirit John 5:30

Why have councils? Purpose/result
“The way to unity is for us to learn the will of the Lord and then to do it.” (Unity, Romney)
“that our families may be one on earth and in the eternities to come.” Striving for Family Unity, Staheli)
Unify, binding moment, strengthen, follow the will of the Lord, reduce stress – scheduling, know needs and address them, keep on the path, share testimony, goal setting and achieving, practice skills for future service in the home, church & the world

Quote 3
Governance through councils is more than just a good idea: it is God’s plan. Ballard 169 By encouraging parents to hold family councils, we imitate in our homes a heavenly pattern” (in Conference Report, Mar.–Apr. 1979, 124; or Ensign, May 1979, 88 ). President Ezra Taft Benson

Quote 4
As we take a long, hard look at the world today, it is becoming increasingly evident that Satan is working overtime to enslave the souls of men. His main target is the fundamental unit of society—the family.
During the past few decades, Satan has waged a vigorous campaign to belittle and demean this basic and most important of all organizations. His success is becoming increasingly evident—the grim facts are seen, reported, and heard about daily and involve the collapse of many family units. With the decay of the family, we see the terrible effects on our society—increased crime, behavior disorders, poverty, drug abuse, and the list continues to grow and grow.
It appears to me that the crosshairs of Satan’s scope are centered on husbands and fathers. Today’s media, for example, have been relentless in their attacks—ridiculing and demeaning husbands and fathers in their God-given roles.
Fatherhood an Eternal Calling L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles General Conference April 2004

Quote 5
I think a mother is probably the key to making councils work. I say that because she is often more sensitive and gentle than her husband. (Elder Ballard Ensign June 2003 Family Councils: A Conversation with Elder and Sister Ballard)

Council Visual
Single cup (mother) doing everything on their own cannot bear the weight of all that needs to be done. Stand on the paper cup squishing it.
A family council can bear the weight. 6 paper cups and a board representing the council. Stand on the board.

In His great Intercessory Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, the Savior pleaded with the Father five separate times for unity (Striving for Family Unity, Staheli) John 17:11-23
What is keeping you up at night? What do you want to see happen in your family? Pray about these important concerns. Reason one with another, following the will of the Lord. No one needs carry their cross alone. We covenant to bear one another’s burdens that they may be light, being made one through our loving Savior.

Father's Day Gift Tags

2011-06-10T07:38:00.000-07:00

"It should have great meaning that of all the titles of respect and honor and admiration that could be given him, that God himself, he who is the highest of all, chose to be addressed simply as "Father.""
--A. Theodore Tuttle, "The Role of Fathers", Ensign, Jan. 1974, 66

10 dinners

2011-01-17T08:12:00.001-08:00

Roast in the pressure cooker
Pork Chops, Risotto, Spinach Apple Salad
Gyros, couscous, hummus
Steak & potatoes
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Pizza
Etouffee
Minestrone
Ravioli & Zucchini boats
Breakfast for dinner

Kid nutrition video

Beef Pot Roast and Gravy
Ingredients
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 (3-pound) boneless chuck roast, trimmed
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 cups Pressure-Cooker Beef Stock
• 1/2 cup dry red wine
• 4 thyme sprigs, tied securely together with twine
• 3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 3 large parsnips, peeled and diagonally cut into 2-inch pieces
• 3 large carrots, peeled and diagonally cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 pound turnips, each cut into 8 wedges
• 1 pound Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 large onion, cut into 8 wedges
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• Fresh thyme sprigs (optional)
Preparation
1. Heat a 6- or 8-quart pressure cooker over medium-high heat. Add oil to cooker; swirl to coat. Sprinkle roast evenly with salt and pepper. Add roast to cooker; sauté 5 minutes, browning on all sides. Stir in 3 cups Pressure-Cooker Beef Stock and wine. Close lid securely; bring to high pressure over high heat. Reduce heat to medium or level needed to maintain high pressure; cook for 35 minutes. Remove from heat; release pressure through steam vent, or place cooker under cold running water to release pressure. Remove lid; add thyme sprigs and next 6 ingredients (through onion). Close lid securely. Return to high pressure; cook 1 minute. Remove from heat; release pressure through steam vent, or place cooker under cold running water to release pressure. Remove lid; let stand 5 minutes. Remove roast; slice roast thinly, and place on a platter. Remove vegetables from cooker using a slotted spoon, and place on platter with roast. Cover and keep warm.
2. Strain cooking liquid through a cheesecloth-lined sieve into a large bowl; discard solids. Bring cooking liquid to a boil over medium-high heat in a large, wide skillet; cook until reduced to 1 1/2 cups (about 15 minutes). Remove 1/4 cup cooking liquid from pan; add 2 tablespoons flour, stirring with a whisk. Return flour mixture to pan; cook 2 minutes or until slightly thick, stirring with a whisk. Serve with roast and vegetables. Garnish each serving with fresh thyme sprigs, if desired.
Savory Herb Pork Chops
Ingredients
• 1 cup apple juice, divided
• 3 1/2 tablespoons light brown sugar, divided
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 4 (3/4-inch-thick) boneless pork loin chops
• 1 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper, divided
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, divided
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• Garnishes: thinly sliced apples, fresh rosemary sprigs
Preparation
1. Stir together 1/4 cup apple juice, 1 Tbsp. brown sugar, and mustard in a large zip-top plastic freezer bag; add pork. Seal bag, and shake well to coat. Chill 30 minutes, turning once. Remove pork from marinade, discarding marinade. Pat pork dry, and sprinkle with 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper.
2. Cook pork in hot oil in large skillet over medium-high heat 3 minutes on each side. Remove chops from skillet.
3. Cook onion and garlic in hot drippings, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Add remaining 3/4 cup apple juice to skillet, stirring to loosen particles from bottom of skillet. Stir in rosemary, 1 Tbsp. brown sugar, 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar, and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt and pepper.
4. Bring onion mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low, and simmer 3 to 5 minutes or until mixture is reduced by half.
5. Add pork to onion mixture, turning to coat. Cover and cook 5 to 10 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted in thickest portion registers 155°. Remove from heat, and place pork on a serving platter. Cover with aluminum foil. Let stand 5 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, whisk together 1/4 cup water, 1 Tbsp. flour, remaining 1 1/2 Tbsp. brown sugar, and remaining 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar in skillet until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium-low heat. Reduce heat to low, and simmer 1 to 2 minutes or until slightly thickened and bubbly. Drizzle sauce over pork, or serve with pork, if desired. Garnish, if desired.

Prosecco and Parmesan Risotto
The pressure cooker creates creamy risotto in a hands-free way. We tried this with Carnaroli and Arborio; we liked the forgiving nature of Carnaroli, which remained al dente, while Arborio rice produced a softer grain in the cooker. Don't worry if the rice is a tad runny after cooking--it thickens as it stands before serving.
Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 3/4 cup)
Ingredients
• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
• 2/3 cup finely chopped shallots
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/3 cups uncooked Carnaroli or other medium-grain rice
• 1 cup prosecco or other sparkling white wine, divided
• 3 cups fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
• 2 ounces fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, divided
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
1. Heat a 6-quart pressure cooker over medium-high heat. Add butter to cooker; swirl until butter melts. Add shallots; sauté 2 minutes. Add garlic; sauté for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Add rice; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add 1/2 cup prosecco; cook 1 minute or until liquid is absorbed, stirring constantly. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup prosecco and broth. Close lid securely; bring to high pressure over high heat. Adjust heat to medium or level needed to maintain high pressure; cook 8 minutes. Remove from heat; release pressure through steam vent, or place cooker under cold running water to release pressure. Remove lid. Grate 1 3/4 ounces cheese; stir in grated cheese and remaining ingredients. Let stand 4 minutes to thicken. Shave remaining 1/4 ounce cheese, and top with shavings.
A classic pot roast is the "gateway" recipe to using your pressure cooker—it's quick, and you're rewarded with a hearty dish in a fraction of the time. Use the Pressure-Cooker Beef Stock here, or substitute 1 (14-ounce) can of fat-free, lower-sodium beef broth plus 1 1/2 cups water in its place. (You'll add about 50 milligrams sodium to each serving with this switch.)
Yield: 12 servings (serving size: 3 ounces beef, 2/3 cup vegetables, and 2 tablespoons sauce)
Stuff whole wheat pitas with savory strips of lamb and a cool cucumber and yogurt tzatziki sauce for a fresh and flavorful meal from the Mediterranean. Try the recipe with chicken, too.
Yield: 4 servings (serving size: about 3 ounces lamb, 1 pita, and 2/3 cup sauce)
Garlic-Rosemary Lamb Pita
Ingredients
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 pound boneless leg of lamb, cut into (3/4-inch) cubes
• 1 1/2 cups finely chopped seeded cucumber
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 (6-ounce) container plain low-fat yogurt
• 4 (6-inch) whole wheat pitas
Preparation
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Combine rosemary, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and lamb, tossing to coat. Add lamb mixture to pan; sauté 4 minutes or until done.
While lamb cooks, combine 1/4 teaspoon salt, cucumber, lemon juice, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and yogurt. Divide lamb mixture evenly among each of 4 pitas, and drizzle with sauce.
Sirloin Steaks with Mushroom Sauce and Chive-Garlic Potatoes
Ingredients
• 4 (4-ounce) boneless sirloin steaks, trimmed (about 1 inch thick)
• 3/8 teaspoon black pepper, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 (8-ounce) package sliced cremini mushrooms
• 1/2 cup dry red wine
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 1 (24-ounce) package refrigerated mashed potatoes
• 1/3 cup chopped chives
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Preparation
1. Sprinkle steaks evenly with 1/4 teaspoon pepper and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium. Add steaks to pan; cook 2 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Remove from pan; keep warm.
2. Add mushrooms to pan; cook 5 minutes or until tender and beginning to brown, stirring frequently. Combine wine, 1/2 cup water, flour, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon salt; stir well with a whisk. Add wine mixture to pan; bring to a boil. Cook 2 minutes or until thick; stir constantly. Remove from heat.
3. Prepare potatoes according to package directions. Stir in chives and garlic powder. Place 3/4 cup potatoes on each of 4 plates. Top each with 1 steak and about 1/4 cup mushroom sauce.
Quick Fall Minestrone
Make the most of fall produce like butternut squash and kale in this hearty vegetarian soup. Pasta and beans make it especially filling.
Yield: 8 servings (serving size: 1 1/2 cups soup and 1 tablespoon cheese)
Ingredients
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 2 1/2 cups (3/4-inch) cubed peeled butternut squash
• 2 1/2 cups (3/4-inch) cubed peeled baking potato
• 1 cup (1-inch) cut green beans (about 1/4 pound)
• 1/2 cup diced carrot
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups chopped kale
• 1/2 cup uncooked orzo (rice-shaped pasta)
• 1 (16-ounce) can cannellini beans or other white beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
Preparation
Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté 2 1/2 minutes or until tender. Add broth and the next 7 ingredients (broth through salt); bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 3 minutes. Add kale, orzo, and beans; cook 5 minutes or until orzo is done and vegetables are tender. Sprinkle with cheese.

Zucchini Boats with Ricotta-Basil Mousse
Use the fragrant cheese stuffing with any mild vegetable, such as bell peppers, mushroom caps, baby eggplant, or tomatoes. Save the scooped-out zucchini pulp for risotto or pasta sauce. You can use a mini chopper to chop the herbs quickly, but do not use it to combine the mousse ingredients, as it will liquefy the ricotta.
Yield: 12 servings (serving size: 1 stuffed shell)
Ingredients
• 6 small zucchini (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• Cooking spray
• 1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
• 1 cup (8 ounces) Homemade Ricotta Cheese
• 1/2 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 2 tablespoons hot water
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Parsley sprigs (optional)
Preparation
Preheat oven to 450°.
Cut each zucchini in half lengthwise; scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4-inch-thick shell. Reserve pulp for another use. Arrange zucchini shells in a single layer in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
Combine basil and next 7 ingredients (through pepper), stirring well with a whisk. Divide mixture evenly among shells, pressing gently. Bake at 450° for 20 minutes or until zucchini is tender. Garnish with parsley, if desired.

Favorite Quotes 2010

2010-12-31T19:35:00.000-08:00

"I recommend you come to know your Father in Heaven. Come to love Him. Always remember that He loves you and will give you guidance and support if you will but give Him the chance. Include Him in your decision making. Include Him in your heartaches and heartbreaks. Include Him when you take inventory of your personal worth."
--Marvin J. Ashton, "Becoming a Quality Person Now", Ensign, Apr 2010, 28–29

"Parents can plant seeds in the hearts and minds of their children only if they know where the children are and what they are doing. Parents should not leave the teaching of their children to chance."
--Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, May 1989, p. 9

"Do not allow yourself to be self-condemning. Avoid discouragement. Teach yourself correct principles and govern yourself with honor. Appropriately involve yourself in helping others. As we develop proper self-image in ourself and others, I promise you the "nobody" attitude will completely disappear. Ever remember wherever you are today within the sound of my voice that you are someone."
--Marvin J. Ashton, "In His Strength", Ensign, Jul 1973, 24

Jonah 2:8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy

"Fathers, yours is an eternal calling from which you are never released. Callings in the Church, as important as they are, by their very nature are only for a period of time, and then an appropriate release takes place. But a father's calling is eternal, and its importance transcends time. It is a calling for both time and eternity."
--Ezra Taft Benson, "To the Fathers in Israel,", Ensign, Nov 1987, 48

"The Savior revealed the perfect priorities for our lives, our homes, our wards, our communities, and our nations when He spoke of love as the great commandment upon which “hang all the law and the prophets.” We can spend our days obsessing about the finest details of life, the law, and long lists of things to do; but should we neglect the great commandments, we are missing the point and we are clouds without water, drifting in the winds, and trees without fruit."
--President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "You are my Hands", April 2010 General Conference

"Life is a sea upon which the proud are humbled, the shirker is exposed, and the leader is revealed. To sail it safely and reach your desired port, you need to keep your charts at hand and up-to-date. You need to learn by the experience of others, to stand firm for principles, to broaden your interests, to be understanding of the rights of others to sail the same sea, and to be reliable in the discharge of your duty."
--President Thomas S. Monson, "Great Expectations", CES Firesides for Young Adults

"We can lay down our lives for those we love not by physically dying for them but rather by living for them—giving of our time; always being present in their lives; serving them; being courteous, affectionate, and showing true love for those of our family and to all men—as the Savior taught."
--Elder Claudio R. M. Costa, "Don't Leave for Tomorrow What You Can Do Today", October 2007 General Conference

"Marriage relationships can be enriched by better communication. One important way is to pray together. This will resolve many of the differences, if there are any, between the couple before sleep comes. I do not mean to overemphasize differences, but they are real, and make things interesting. Our differences are the little pinches of salt which can make the marriage seem sweeter. We communicate in a thousand ways, such as a smile, a brush of the hair, a gentle touch, and remembering each day to say 'I love you' and the husband to say 'You're beautiful.' Some other important words to say, when appropriate, are 'I'm sorry.' Listening is excellent communication."
--President James E. Faust, "The Enriching of Marriage," Ensign, Nov. 1977, 9

"At times many of us let that enemy of achievement--even the culprit 'self-defeat'--dwarf our aspirations, smother our dreams, cloud our vision, and impair our lives. The enemy's voice whispers in our ears, 'You can't do it.' 'You're too young.' 'You're too old.' 'You're nobody.' This is when we remember that we are created in the image of God. Reflection on this truth provides a profound sense of strength and power."
--President Thomas S. Monson, "Choose You This Day," Ensign, Nov. 2004, 68

"No matter what circumstances you sisters experience, your influence can be marvelously far-reaching. I believe some of you have a tendency to underestimate your profound capacity for blessing the lives of others. More often than not, it is not on the stage with some public pronouncement but in your example of righteousness and the countless gentle acts of love and kindness done so willingly, so often on a one-to-one basis."
--James E. Faust, "You Are All Heaven Sent," Ensign, Nov. 2002, 110

Psalm 118:6

"The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature."
--Ezra Taft Benson, "Born of God", Ensign, July 1989, 2

"We're not going to survive in this world, temporally or spiritually, without increased faith in the Lord—and I don't mean a positive mental attitude—I mean downright solid faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. That is the one thing that gives vitality and power to otherwise rather weak individuals."
--A. Theodore Tuttle, "Developing Faith", Ensign, Nov. 1986, 72

"Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays. But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death—Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come. No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, Sunday will come. In this life or the next, Sunday will come."
--Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Sunday Will Come", Ensign, Nov. 2006, 28

The clouds parted and the sun shone down as I read Job 31:26. What a beautiful moment. :) Christ is our personal savior. He knows each of us & wishes to bless us with miracles both great and small. If only we open our hearts and eyes.

"We should not be discouraged or depressed by our shortcomings. No one is without weakness. As part of the divine plan, we are tested to see whether we master weakness or let weakness master us. Proper diagnosis is essential to proper treatment. The Lord gave us this remarkable assurance: "Because thou hast seen thy weakness thou shalt be made strong" (Ether 12:37). But wishing for strength won't make us strong. It takes faith and work to shore up a weakened cord of integrity."
--Russell M. Nelson, "Integrity of Heart", Ensign, Aug. 1995, 19

"Let us never lose sight of the fact that education is a preparation for life -- and that preparing for life is far more than knowing how to make a living or how to land on the moon. Preparing for life means building personal integrity, developing a sound sense of values, increasing the capacity and willingness to serve. Education must have its roots in moral principles. If we lose sight of that fact in our attempt to match our educational system against that of the materialists, we shall have lost far more than we could possibly gain."
--Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 297

"I remind you brethren who bear the Melchizedek Priesthood that the seed of the present is the harvest of the future. I urge you, as fathers and as priesthood leaders, to focus more attention on teaching, guiding, and shepherding these young men, especially by example. The Lord has given you that obligation. Remember, the lambs have little chance of following the right path if the shepherd goes astray."
--Joseph B. Wirthlin, "The Priesthood of God", Ensign, Nov 1988, 34

"God offers us counsel not just for our own safety but for the safety of His other children, whom we should love. There are few comforts so sweet as to know that we have been an instrument in the hands of God in leading someone else to safety. That blessing generally requires the faith to follow counsel when it is hard to do."
--Henry B. Eyring, "Safety in Counsel", Liahona, Jun 2008, 2–7

It's not about who's right. It's about what's right.

"As you submit your will to God, you are giving Him the only thing you can actually give Him that is really yours to give. Don't wait too long to find the altar or to begin to place the gift of your wills upon it! No need to wait for a receipt; the Lord has His own special ways of acknowledging."
--Neal A. Maxwell, "Remember How Merciful the Lord Hath Been", Ensign, May 2004, pg 46

"Kindness, love, patience, understanding, and unity will increase as we serve, while intolerance, jealousy, envy, greed, and selfishness decrease or disappear. The more we give of ourselves, the more our capacity to serve, understand, and love will grow."
--Carlos H. Amado, "Service, a Divine Quality", Ensign, May 2008, 35–37

"Remember: the heavens will not be filled with those who never made mistakes but with those who recognized that they were off course and who corrected their ways to get back in the light of gospel truth."
--Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "A Matter of a Few Degrees", Ensign, May 2008, 57–60

"It is in the home that our behavior is most significant. It is the place where our actions have the greatest impact, for good or ill. Sometimes we are so much at home that we no longer guard our words. We forget simple civility. If we are not on guard, we can fall into the habit of criticizing one another, losing our tempers, or behaving selfishly. Because they love us, our spouses and children may be quick to forgive, but they often carry away in silence unseen injuries and unspoken heartache... When we feel anger or contention in our homes, we should immediately recognize what power has taken control of our lives and what Satan is endeavoring to accomplish. Solomon provided us this wise formula: 'A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger' (Prov. 15:1). Our home should ideally be a refuge where each member feels safe, secure, loved, and insulated from harsh criticism and contention that we so often encounter in the world."
--Elder Wayne S. Peterson, "Our Actions Determine Our Character," Ensign, Nov. 2001, 84

"If children are to be brought up in the way they should go, to be good citizens here and happy hereafter, they must be taught. It is idle to suppose that children will grow up good, while surrounded with wickedness, without cultivation. It is folly to suppose that they can become learned without education."
--Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 273

"The truth is that not yet usually means never. Trying to run away from the responsibility to decide about Christ is childish. Pilate sought to refuse responsibility for deciding about Christ, but Pilate's hands were never dirtier than just after he had washed them."
--Neal A. Maxwell, "Why Not Now?", Ensign, Nov. 1974, 12

"While I believe that reverence is often exhibited through reverent behaviors, it is not behaviors that concern me now. I want to discuss reverence as an attitude of deepest respect and veneration toward Deity. Of course, reverent behaviors follow reverent attitudes, but it is the attitude of reverence that we need to cultivate first among our members. Reverent behaviors without reverent attitudes are empty of meaning because they are performed for the praises of men, not God."
--L. Tom Perry, "Serve God Acceptably with Reverence and Godly Fear," Ensign, Nov. 1990, 70

Our success or failure, peace or discontent, happiness or misery, depend on the choices we make each day."
--N. Eldon Tanner, "Thou Mayest Choose for Thyself", Ensign, July 1973, 7

"Our task is to become our best selves. One of God's greatest gifts to us is the joy of trying again, for no failure ever need be final."
--Thomas S. Monson, "The Will
Within," Ensign, May 1987, 67

Never let your faith be difficult to detect

The only real control is self control.

"'Words do not convey meanings; they call them forth.' I speak out of the context of my experience, and you listen out of the context of yours, and that is why communication is difficult."
--David O. McKay

Gospel principles are not on trial. We are.

The crisis doesn't create ones character it reveals it.

"This is a wonderful time to be living here on earth. Our opportunities are limitless. While there are some things wrong in the world today, there are many things right, such as teachers who teach, ministers who minister, marriages that make it, parents who sacrifice, and friends who help. "We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues."
--Thomas S. Monson, "An Attitude of Gratitude," Ensign, Feb. 2000, 2

"Forgiveness is freeing up and putting to better use the energy once consumed by holding grudges, harboring resentments, and nursing unhealed wounds. It is rediscovering the strengths we always had and relocating our limitless capacity to understand and accept other people and ourselves."
--James E Faust, "The Healing Power of Forgiveness", May 2007 Ensign

"We should not be discouraged or depressed by our shortcomings. No one is without weakness. As part of the divine plan, we are tested to see whether we master weakness or let weakness master us. Proper diagnosis is essential to proper treatment. The Lord gave us this remarkable assurance: "Because thou hast seen thy weakness thou shalt be made strong" (Ether 12:37). But wishing for strength won't make us strong. It takes faith and work to shore up a weakened cord of integrity."
--Russell M. Nelson, "Integrity of Heart", Ensign, Aug. 1995, 19

God calls God qualifies

"Like the vital rudder of a ship, we have been provided a way to determine the direction we travel. The lighthouse of the Lord beckons to all as we sail the seas of life. Our home port is the celestial kingdom of God. Our purpose is to steer an undeviating course in that direction. A man without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder—never likely to reach home port. To us comes the signal: Chart your course, set your sail, position your rudder, and proceed."
--Thomas S. Monson, "Sailing Safely the Seas of Life", Ensign, Jul 1999, 2

"You make choices every day and almost every hour that keep you walking in the light or moving away toward darkness. Some of the most important choices are about what you set your heart upon."
--Henry B. Eyring, "Walk in the Light", Ensign, May 2008, 123–25

"Remember, a good attitude produces good results, a fair attitude fair results, a poor attitude poor results. We each shape our own life, and the shape of it is determined largely by our attitude."
--M. Russell Ballard, "Providing for Our Needs", Ensign May 1981, 85

"I am like a huge, rough stone rolling down from a high mountain; and the only polishing I get is when some corner gets rubbed off by coming in contact with something else, striking with accelerated force against religious bigotry, priestcraft, lawyer-craft, doctor-craft, lying editors, suborned judges and jurors, and the authority of perjured executives, backed by mobs, blasphemers, licentious and corrupt men and women--all hell knocking off a corner here and a corner there. Thus I will become a smooth and polished shaft in the quiver of the Almighty, who will give me dominion over all and every one of them, when their refuge of lies shall fail, and their hiding place shall be destroyed, while these smooth-polished stones with which I come in contact become marred."
--Joseph Smith, Nauvoo, Illinois, May 21, 1843, History of the Church, 5:401

The word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.

"Rather than simply passing through trials, we must allow trials to pass through us in ways that sanctify us."
--Elder Neil A Maxwell, "Enduring Well", April 1997 Ensign

"The axiom 'You get what you pay for' is true for spiritual rewards as well. You get what you pay for in obedience, in faith in Jesus Christ, in diligent application of the truths that you learn."
--Richard G. Scott, "The Sustaining Power of Faith in Times of Uncertainty and Testing", Ensign, May 2003, 75

"Accountability is the natural product of agency and is the basis of the plan of life. We are responsible for our own actions and accountable to God for what we choose to do with our lives. Life is God's gift to us, and what we do with it is our gift to him."
--Elaine Cannon, "Agency and Accountability", Ensign, Nov. 1983, 88

Commandments Sharing Time

2010-09-11T17:10:00.000-07:00

Reverence Journals Coloring Page (journals for the children to work in while we wait for all of the classes to arrive.

Freeze song - have a stop sign to signal when to sing and when to stop. This sign can also be used in opening/closing exercises to signal when the children should be more reverent. I'm using this picture on a stop sign.

Keep the commandments; keep the commandments!
In this there is safety; in this there is peace.
He will send blessings; He will send blessings.
Words of a prophet: Keep the commandments.
In this there is safety and peace.
(Children’s Songbook, page 146).

Display picture of Harold B Lee

In July 1972 Harold B. Lee became the eleventh President of the Church. One hour after the announcement was made, he met with newspaper and television reporters. One of them asked him if he had a message for Church members.

Display quote

President Lee said: “The safety of the church lies in the members keeping the commandments. There is nothing more important that I could say. As they keep the commandments, blessings will come.” (See Church News, 15 July 1972, page 3.)

What is a commandment?
Display definition

What is obedience?
Display definition

Any questions?

Display quote
“Keeping the commandments is the anchor for our safety amidst the storm. True peace will come to each individual, family, and nation only as we learn obedience to the laws of our Heavenly Father.” Barbara A. McConochie, was so impressed with President Lee's words that she wrote the song “Keep the Commandments” for Primary children. Its words tell us of two blessings that come from keeping the commandments: “In this there is safety and peace.”

Display anchor
An anchor is a heavy object that sailors use aboard ships on the ocean. They lower the anchor on a chain to the ocean floor, and it keeps the ship from drifting. Even in storms, when the ship is being buffeted by waves and wind, the anchor keeps the ship where it should be.
We are like sailors lowering anchors when we use the commandments to keep ourselves safe. Commandments, like anchors, help keep us secure and in the right place. Even when we feel tossed about by temptations or by the unkind words or actions of others, the commandments can help us stay steady and safe. As we keep the commandments, we know in our hearts that we are doing what is right and that eventually good will come. In this there is safety and peace.

Game
attach a toy boat with string and a safety pin to a sheet. Add paper rocks with safety pins as well. The rocks represent sins and the anchor is the commandments. Name commandments and put their opposites on the rocks - dress immodestly, lie, etc. Add three foam or paper boats that say "This commandment is just too hard" "This commandment is not important." "This commandment doesn't apply to me." These are from the linked conference talk by Elder Carlson Now shake the blanket like a storm at sea. The boat anchored with the commandments is saved the foam boats are lost. They may hit the rocks or drift out to sea because they are not anchored by Heavenly Father's commandments.

Instructions: Color the picture of each commandment you keep. In the empty “bubbles,” draw, color, and label additional pictures of commandments you keep (pray every day, go to church, pay tithing, love my neighbor, follow the prophet, keep the word of wisdom, forgive others, and so forth).

Individualized Education Plan First Grade

2010-08-26T09:02:00.000-07:00

Mostly used The Well Trained Mind to set this up. I also have state standards and What your First Grader Should Know to refer to and may add items later. This IEP is for K/1st grade. My child has already met several of the Kindergarten benchmarks so we're moving up to 1st Grade in some areas and will see how it goes. The items listed are for 1st grade and we'll adjust as needed.

Language Arts
Spelling 10-15 min 4/week Workbook
Grammar 15-20 min 4/week First Language Lessons
Reading 20-30 min 4/week ancients 30-60 choice
3. Summaries & illustrations
4. Memory Work
Writing 5-20 minutes 4/week
6. copy work
7. HWOT
8. dictation
9. composition
10. letters etc

The Bible
Homer
Greek and Roamn Myths
Aesop’s Fables
Plato
Aristotle
Egyptian Myths
Indian Folktales
African Folktales
Confucius
Chinese and Japanese Folktales
Ancient Chinese and Japanese Poetry
Cicero
Virgil
English, Irish & Welsh fairy tales

Math
30-60 min 4/week Saxon 1

History
60min 3/week Ancient 5000BC-400AD
4. Read/Narrate/Illustrate
5. map/library/choose activity
6. activity

Biographies of great men & women
Cheops, pharaoh of Egypt (2700-2675 BC)
Abraham (210 BC)
Hammurabi (1750 BC)
Queen Hatshepsut (1480 BC)
Moses (1450 BC)
Tutankhamen (1355 BC)
Nebuchadnezzar (1146)
King David (1000)
Homer (800)
Romulus (753)
Sennacherib (705)
Lao-tse (604)
Pythagoras (581)
Confucius (551)
Buddha (550)
Socrates (470)
Plato (427)
Aristotle (384)
Alexander the Great (356)
Hannibal (218)
Cicero (106)
Julius Caesar (100)
Virgil (70)
Caesar Augustus (45)
Jesus Christ (4)
Saint Paul (AD 45)
Nero (68)
Constantine the great (306)

Science
Life Science (animals 20 weeks, Human body 10 weeks, Plants 6 weeks)

Experiment Pages:
What did we use?
What did we do?
What Happened?
What did we learn?

Observation Pages:
Does it have a backbone?
Does it have fur?
Does it have wings?
What does it feel like?
How many feet does it have? What do it’s feet look like?
How many legs does it have? What do the legs look like?
What does it’s body look like?
What does it eat?
Where does it live?
How big is it?
What do its babies look like?
Is it domesticated or wild?
Is it endangered?

Art
Color wheel
Lesson Themed art projects

Music
Listen to classical music
Lesson theme music when possible

Social and Emotional
Play games nicely
Get ready on time
Listen and follow directions
Monthly learning parties
Daddy Daughter dates
Participate in classes
Follow through and complete
Complete School 1st Play 2nd
Go to bed earlier when tired during day
Vocational prevocational
Introduce tools & make something
Cooking
Motor skills
Bike
Rollerskates
Jump rope
Gymnastics
Swimming
Self Help
Dishes away after meals
Unload laundry/dishes
Tie shoes
Service
Good deeds
Chores
Letters/cards
Learning parties
Spiritual
FHE lessons/Scripture Study
Pray
Sunday meeting attendance
Family Night
Read from friend do activities
Memorize articles of faith
Adventures/Field Trips
Seattle
Vancouver
Hawaii

Things .... wants to learn about…
Gymnastics Ballet Swimming Horseback Star Wars Indiana Jones Warts Holidays Lights (electricity) building things like scooters, metal, kittens, mice, dogs, trees, garden, chicks, learn how to whistle, make hats, make books, chairs, pencils, globes, Jesus, mom & dad, scriptures, give more hugs & kisses, Prophets, cars, how to make glasses, snapping fingers, learn about daddy’s job

Individualized Education Plan 5th Grade

2010-08-26T08:59:00.000-07:00

Mostly used The Well Trained Mind to set this up. I have What your 5th Grader Should Know on order and our states standards to refer to as well.

Logic
60 min MWF Logic Puzzles Mind Benders/Red Herrings
Math
60 min MTWRF Saxon 65/Consumer Math
History
60 min MWF Story of the World
1. Read, outline & timeline
2. Map/library
3. Organize summaries
Ancients (timeline, outline, primary sources & organization) Notebook sections…
1. Outline (find main & supporting ideas)
2. Great Men & Women
3. Wars, Conflicts, & Politics
4. Inventions & Technology
5. Religion
6. Daily Life
7. Cities & Settlements
8. Use/evaluate primary sources
a. What does this source say?
b. Who is the author?
c. What is the writer’s purpose?
d. What does he/she have to lose or gain by convincing others of his/her position?
e. What events led to this piece of writing?
f. What happened asa result of this writing?
9. The Arts & Great Books

Language
Notebook Sections
1. Spelling
2. Word study
3. Grammar
4. Reading
5. Memory Work (3-5)
6. Writing
7. Dictation
Spelling/Word Study
M 30-45 min roots, def & sample sent make root cards & for unfamiliar words
T – R 5-10 min flash cards
F 10 min review, exercises, check
Spelling Workout Vocab from classic Roots
Writing
30-60 min 2-3/wk
Dictation, letters
Reading
30-60 min MTWR
Narration summaries/Reports 1 page
Novel/Story
1. Whom is this book about?
2. What do the central characters want?
3. What keeps them/him/her from getting it?
4. How do they/him/her get what they want?
5. Do they have an enemy or enemies? Is there a villain?
6. What does the villain want?
7. What do you think is the most important event in the story?
8. What leads up to this event?
9. How are the characters different after this event?
10. What is the most important event in each chapter?
11. How many different stories does the writer tell?
Biography
1. What kind of family did the subject come from?
2. What were his parents like?
3. Where did he go to school?
4. What did he want the most as a child? As a grown-up?
5. How did he go about getting it?
6. Name 3 or 4 important people in his life.
7. Did he get married? To whom? When?
8. Did they have children?
9. What was the most important event in his life?
10. Name three other important events in his life.
11. Did he get what he wanted in life? Why or why not?
12. Why do we still remember this person?
Evaluations
1. What was the most exciting part of the book?
2. What was the most boring part of the book?
3. Did you like the characters? Why or why not?
4. Did you hope that she would get what she wanted?
5. Did any part of the book seem particularly real?
6. Did any part of the book seem unlikely to you?
7. Did you hope it would end in another way? How?
8. Would you read this book again?
9. Which one of your friends would enjoy this book?
Tales of the Pharoah’s
The Bible
Moses
Abraham
David
Solomon
Esther
Ruth
Homer
Buddha
Socrates
Greek and Roman Myths
Aesop’s Fables
Plato
Aristotle
Alexander the Great
Roman emperors
Iliad & Odyssey
Egyptian Myths
Indian Folktales
African Folktales
Confucius
Chinese and Japanese Folktales
Ancient Chinese and Japanese Poetry
Cicero
Virgil
English, Irish & Welsh fairy tales

Science
90 min TR
Life Science Notebook
1. Dates
2. Reports
3. Sketches
4. Experiments
a. What questions am I trying to answer?
b. What could the answer be?
c. How will I test the answer?
d. What results did I get?
e. Does this agree with the answer I thought I would get? If not what answer should I give instead?
5. Memory Work
6. Extra Activities
Cells & Classification one week each
Plants & Fungi 4 weeks
Fresh water & saltwater life 4 weeks
Insects/invertebrates 4
Birds 4
Reptiles 2
Mammals 6

Foreign Language
60 min 4/week
Latin Rosetta Stone

Art/music
90-120 min 2/week
week 1 study week 2 application
Biology Sketches Drawing with Children Paint/Sculpt
History artist/musicians, piano, primary, performances/genres etc

Social and Emotional
Girl Scouts/Activity Days
Lessons: piano, horseback
primary
neighbors
work ethic
loving to family and friends
speak kindly

Vocational – prevocational
Craft Fair/Cookie Sales
Garden/Compost

Motor Skills
Swimming
Horseback riding
Girls on the run?

Self Help
Clean & put away clothes
Dishes unload
Shop for & prepare meals
Sewing quilt?
Preparing a menu
Food Storage tour cannery/Bishop’s storehouse

Service
Gardening for the elderly

Spiritual
Faith in God
Learning and Living the Gospel (3)
Serving Others (3)
Developing Talents (3)
Articles of Faith
Primary/Activity Days Tithing, keep the commandments and follow my gospel standards, Honor parents and be kind to family, attend Sunday meetings, Pray twice a day, Study & Illustrate the scriptures

Adventures/Field Trips

Things ... wants to learn
Naomi Ruth Esther Deborah Zebras Gardening Piano Swimming Trip to MT Farming Chickens Goats Cows Sheep Draft Horses Hay Spin art drawing portraits body build a robot gallop 3 barrel race cookies Kentucky Venus Fly Trap Barrel Cactus Pet Store Riding Teacher Cleopatra

Sharing Time July 2010 Week 4 idea

2010-07-04T18:10:00.000-07:00

Mystery Guest Game "Who lives by Christ's Example?"
Guests: a member of the Bishopric, a member of the Relief Society Presidency, a mother & a teacher. Guest will stay behind the curtain and can disguise their voice. :)
Clues: a childhood photograph to show the kids, a story from their youth about serving the Lord, then questions to figure out the identity of the mystery guest.

July 2010 Sharing Time Week 1 - Jesus always obeyed Heavenly Father

2010-07-02T18:13:00.000-07:00

We are having a combined sharing time/singing time since it is Fast Sunday. So, if this seems like a lot that's why. ;)

I found this great reader's theater on Sophia's Primary ideas and adapted it for our sharing time.

Chairs set up in a circle with fire at center red tissue paper and firewood
stars that say I can be a Shining Star of Obedience Jesus always obeyed Heavenly Father
red orange & yellow construction paper and scissors

I put the role assignments under the chairs. Senior primary gets the speaking roles and junior primary non-speaking/helping. I'm having the kids without roles help set up the "stage", the fire & stars.

The costumes are really simple: blankets, camp chairs, hats.

Whenever someone says Jesus Christ always obeyed Heavenly Father we sing the first verse of Come Follow Me

Speaking Parts
Camper #1
Camper #2
Camper #3
(If we have fewer then 12 kids some can play 2 parts and/or teachers can help)
Angel #1 Actor 1
Angel #2 Actor 2
Mary Actor 3
John the Baptist Actor 4
Leper Actor 1
Centurian Actor 2
Man of the Company Actor 3
Blind Man Actor 4
Elder Whitney Actor 5

Possible Non Speaking Parts
A couple children can be bushes by the campers
A couple children can be non-speaking angels
A couple children can hold up stars above their heads and be stars

Props
!!!!Simple!!!!! Costumes blankets, hats, sleeping bags
Scriptures

Camper #1: I'm so excited to be camping, we usually go for the Fourth of July but this year it was Sunday so we went to church instead. It was great to feel the spirit in church and sing Patriotic Hymns. What is your favorite song to sing on the Fourth of July?

Camper #2 America the beautiful. I love all the descriptions of how beautiful our country is.

Camper #1 I love to hear the last verse of My Country tis of thee. You never hear it except at church. Our fathers’ God to thee, Author of liberty, To thee we sing. Long may our land be bright With freedom’s holy light. Protect us by thy might, Great God, our King!
Did you know there is a revelation in The Book of Mormon about America? “Behold,” says the revelation, “this [America] is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ” (Ether 2:12). If we are obedient and serve the Lord our country will be protected what a wonderful promise.

Camper #3 My favorite song is The Star Spangled Banner because I love stars and because it’s fun to imagine I’m at a baseball game. I wonder if Sister Adams has ever played for a major league team? (laugh) Thanks for inviting me to your campout. What do you like best about camping?

Campers #1 & #2 SMORES!!!

Camper #3 While the treats are pretty awesome my favorite part is looking into the night sky and seeing all the beautiful stars. It makes me feel so special knowing Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ made all of it for us.

Camper #2: (Looking up) It's so big up there! It makes me feel so small!

Camper #1: We may be small, but we can do big things with our lives! All we have to do is follow the Savior. He gave us the perfect example, as well as His life.

Camper #3: Jesus Christ always obeyed Heavenly Father.

COME FOLLOW ME
Come follow me the Savior said Then let us in his footsteps tread For thus alone can we be one With God’s own loved begotten son

Camper #3: He always obeyed Heavenly Father

Camper #2: Always?

Camper #1 and #3: Always!!

Camper #1: Remember the pre-existence?

Angel #1: I can't hear what Heavenly Father just said!!!

Angel #2: Shh!!! Whisper!! He just said “Whom shall I send?”1

Angel #1: Well... what else!?! I can't see anything with all these people. Not to mention my ears are still ringing from everyone shouting for joy at the plan of salvation!2

Angel #1: Ok, Ok... I think I got it. Jehovah...

Angel #2: You mean Jesus?

Angel #1: Yes, Jehovah is one of His many names. So Jehovah just said, "Here I am, send me...Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever"3

Camper #3: Even before we were born on earth, Jesus obeyed Heavenly Father.

COME FOLLOW ME
Come follow me the Savior said Then let us in his footsteps tread For thus alone can we be one With God’s own loved begotten son

Camper #2: Hey I remember! Jesus obeyed Heavenly Father as a child too!

COME FOLLOW ME
Come follow me the Savior said Then let us in his footsteps tread For thus alone can we be one With God’s own loved begotten son

Mary: "Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing."4

Camper #2: And Jesus replied thoughtfully to His mother, "How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?"5

Camper #1: I would have been so scared to be lost!!

Camper #3: Mary and Joseph might have thought Jesus was lost, but He wasn't at all. He was being obedient and teaching truth. His Father's truth. Jesus was diligent and obedient as a child, and also throughout His entire life on earth.

Camper #2: Remember when Jesus was baptized?

Camper #1: He was perfect and had no sin, His baptism wasn't to cleanse him but to show He would do anything Heavenly Father asked Him to. John the Baptist didn't even want to baptize Him at first because he knew Jesus was perfect.

John the Baptist: "I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?"6

Camper #3: Yet John baptized Him and a dove came down from heaven as well as Heavenly Father's voice when He said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Camper #1: No wonder Heavenly Father was pleased, Jesus always listened and did what needed to be done. Jesus always obeyed Heavenly Father.

COME FOLLOW ME
Come follow me the Savior said Then let us in his footsteps tread For thus alone can we be one With God’s own loved begotten son

Leper: "Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean."7

Centurion: "Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed."8

Man of the company: " Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child. And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him. And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not"9

Blind Man: "A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight."10

Camper #3: Jesus healed the sick, cast out devils and helped all those around him. One of my favorite scriptures is John 6:38 where Jesus Himself says, "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me."

Camper #1: I wonder if on the night of the atonement our Savior saw as many stars as we see tonight. A latter day apostle, Elder Orsen F. Whitney had a vision of the Garden of Gethsemane and on seeing Jesus weep he said...

Elder Whitney: “I was so moved at the sight that I also wept, out of pure sympathy. My whole heart went out to Him; I loved Him with all my soul, and longed to be with Him as I longed for nothing else”11

Camper #2: Even as He was suffering so much, and in so much pain, we see His total obedience to Heavenly Father when Jesus said, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt"12

Camper #3: Jesus Christ always obeyed Heavenly Father.
COME FOLLOW ME
Come follow me the Savior said Then let us in his footsteps tread For thus alone can we be one With God’s own loved begotten son

I can follow in His footsteps and do my best too!

ALL: We will be obedient like our Savior!

Camper #2: I can do all I need to do! I look at the stars above me and know that while I'm small, I shine big by my obedience to Heavenly Father.

I will follow God’s plan for me
My life is a gift my life has a plan my life has a purpose in Heaven it began my choice was to come to this lovely home on earth and seek for God’s light to direct me from birth I will follow God’s plan for me holding fast to His word and his love I will work and I will pray I will always walk in his way Then I will be happy on earth and in my home above

ALL: We will do Heavenly Father's will always!

Camper #1: In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

____________________________________________________
1 Abraham 3:27
2 Job 38:7
3 Moses 4:1-2
4 Luke 2:48
5 Luke 2:49
6 Matthew 3:14
7 Matthew 8:2
8 Matthew 8:8
9 Luke 9:38-40
10 John 9:11
11 “The Divinity of Jesus Christ,” Improvement Era, Jan. 1926, 224–25; see also Ensign, Dec. 2003, 10
12 Matthew 26:39

Discussion questions

Who should we obey?
What do they ask us to do?
Why should we do it?
If ever you are confused about what to do pray to know.

Primary Quarterly Activity-Service-UN-Birthday

2010-06-17T10:11:00.000-07:00

Our next activity is in conjunction with the ward activities committee. We're having an un-birthday party.

It’s --------- Ward’s UN-Birthday Party at -------- (Park)
A very merry unbirthday to you, to you. To me? To you! A very merry unbirthday, For me? For you!
All the fun none of the growing up!
Date? Time? I’m late I’m late for a very important date. Please arrive 10 minutes late.
Mad hat contest, super silly games and Birthday Cake!
Please bring a present for the nursery. New or gently used toys or books (ask the nursery what they need and include a wish list here)

"Why is a raven like a writing-desk?" You’ll have to come to the UN-Birthday party to find out.

Activities
Mad Hat Contest & cake walk
White Wabbit Wun with games I’m late I’m late!
The Mad Hatter’s absolutely mad games
Croquet

UN-Birthday presents: Please bring an unwrapped, gently used or new, toy or book, for our nursery (ages 18 months to 3 years).

Balloons & Cake

Primary Quarterly Activity-Spiritual-Jesus once was a little child a little child like me

2010-06-17T08:42:00.000-07:00

Theme Jesus once was a little child a little child like me

The purpose of the activity was to help children feel closer to the Savior, to understand that He too was a child just like them. That He lived and that He lives. To support this year's primary theme: I Know My Savior Lives

Invitations:
bracelets: We printed out the following invitations and made strips then tapes them on the children's wrists as they were released from primary.
bookmarks: personalized bookmarks with the children's names in Hebrew as well as the origin and meaning of their name and the scriptures Luke 2:40 and Luke 2:52 with their names in parenthesis to show how as a child they can try to be like Jesus. Picture of them at the top. The side with all the children's information said A Little Child Like Me The other side was about Jesus and said Jesus Once Was A Little Child Jesus written in Hebrew Greek and English along with meaning Scripture Numbers 24:17 Written in Hebrew A scripture Christ would have studied as a boy that is about him. Luke 2:52 in Greek

In primary we talked about questions the children might have about Jesus's childhood. The children were encouraged to read scriptures about Christ's childhood and think of questions. The children brainstormed questions and answers.

As a child, what foods might Jesus have eaten & where?
As a child, what holidays did Jesus celebrate?
As a child, what games might Jesus have played?
As a child, what scriptures did Jesus read?
As a child, what languages might Jesus have spoken?
As a child, where did Jesus live?
As a child, who might Jesus have played with?
As a child, what crafts might Jesus have made?
As a child, what trade might Jesus have learned?
As a child, where did Jesus get water?
As a child, where did Jesus get food?
As a child, where might Jesus have slept?

The activity was divided into 4 centers, one for each member of the presidency. The following 3 areas of Christ's life were used to balance activity types.
1. work and service
2. Study
3. Play

Brainstormed ideas for activities
WORK & SERVE
Clay work – miniature jar for carrying water (clay)
Soap carving – wood working Sanding, hand drill, plane (ask for tools, blocks of wood)
Something to eat – bread, fish, lamb, honey, grapes, figs, dates, and milk. Unleavened bread Egyptian? Middle Eastern Cookbook
Challah matzoh
Grinding Grain (mortar and pestle)
No electricity – oil lamps
Paper weaving
STUDY
write their name in Hebrew Scripture Scroll
Timeline
Map
PLAY
Hay – treasure hunt
Dreidel
Block puzzle

Activities we chose
1. paper weaving place mats scrapbook paper/card stock weave then seal in clear contact paper
2. clay
3. games dreidel wood block puzzle
4. scripture mystery diner foods and Old Testament scriptures foods Christ would have eaten.

The 4th activity was my center so I can share more information about that.
Feast Upon My Word
Nazareth's #1 Diner

The menu was made from dowels cut in half with drawing paper glued on. The drawing paper had a rough texture so I thought it would look more aged. ;) We began the diner by eating a middle eastern pastry that is eaten by Jews, Muslims and Christians. Then the children ordered by scripture from the menus. There were three items in each row and they chose one item per row. We sat on the floor on a pretty woven blanket as was done in Christ's time and the food was set up on the table. Each child got a sticky note for their order so the note was put by their items so they could find their place. As we sat we talked about things Christ may have eaten, how they may have sat on the floor, where he would have slept and the other questions we had discussed in primary. We also looked at the chapters in Jesus the Christ about Christ's childhood. We looked at both of the pictures and talked a bit about Jesus's childhood. Then the kids got their scripture mystery foods. They seemed to enjoy themselves and were engaged and learning. It was really great. :)

One of our primary teacher's helped me by getting the food for the kids. We had matching aprons & headbands. Our name tags read Mary and Martha. ;)

Recipes
Challah follow the link to yummy Jewish Sabbath day bread. Maybe Jesus ate something like this? The interesting thing is that it is best the second day. I wonder if it was made the day before the Sabbath?

Jewish Apple Cake The next time I make this I'll add more apples. Watch it near the end that it doesn't burn. Mine needed less time and got a little browner than I would have liked.

This is the Quarterly Activity Outline....
Theme
Purpose
Invitations
Reach out to inactive children by....
Food
Food Materials – plates etc
Activities
Materials for activities
Assignments for teachers, parents or kids
Food sign up
Clean up
Clean up
Set up
Set up
Facilitate activities
Set up time:
Missionary attendance?
Schedule of events

You could learn a lot from a doughnut - Doughnut learning theme

2010-04-30T07:01:00.000-07:00

Crispy and Creamy Doughnuts

Rated: rating
Submitted By: Kelly
Photo By: Lydia
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes

Ready In: 2 Hours 40 Minutes
Servings: 18
"I have tried so many versions of glazed doughnuts, and this one finally came out perfect! Just like the ones at my favorite doughnut shop."
Ingredients:
2 (.25 ounce) envelopes active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (105 to 115 degrees
)
1 1/2 cups lukewarm milk
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/3 cup shortening

5 cups all-purpose flour
1 quart vegetable oil for frying

1/3 cup butter
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
4 tablespoons hot water or as needed
Directions:
1. Sprinkle the yeast over the warm water, and let stand for 5 minutes, or until foamy.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the yeast mixture, milk, sugar, salt, eggs, shortening, and 2 cups of the flour. Mix for a few minutes at low speed, or stirring with a wooden spoon. Beat in remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough no longer sticks to the bowl. Knead for about 5 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Place the dough into a greased bowl, and cover. Set in a warm place to rise until double. Dough is ready if you touch it, and the indention remains.
3. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, and gently roll out to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with a floured doughnut cutter. Let doughnuts sit out to rise again until double. Cover loosely with a cloth.
4. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth. Remove from heat, and stir in hot water one tablespoon at a time until the icing is somewhat thin, but not watery. Set aside.
5. Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large heavy skillet to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Slide doughnuts into the hot oil using a wide spatula. Turn doughnuts over as they rise to the surface. Fry doughnuts on each side until golden brown. Remove from hot oil, to drain on a wire rack. Dip doughnuts into the glaze while still hot, and set onto wire racks to drain off excess. Keep a cookie sheet or tray under racks for easier clean up.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2010 Allrecipes.com Printed from Allrecipes.com 4/30/2010

Music

Donut Shop
Down on the corner in the Donut Shop
There were (Number of children in the class) little donuts
with sugar on top.
Along came (child) with the penny to pay and
he took (the color donut or that donut) and he ran away!

Then we count the remaining donuts and start again.
Great for color recognition and counting.

The Disappearing D-O-N-U-T
Sung to: "BINGO"
I know a treat that has a hole
As you can plainly see.
D-O-N-U-T (Point to letters as you sing.)
D-O-N-U-T
D-O-N-U-T
Save a bite for me!
CHOMP! (Remove D)
I know a treat that has a hole
As you can plainly see,
(Clap) O-N-U-T (Point to blank space, then letters.)
(Clap) O-N-U-T
(Clap) O-N-U-T
Save a bite for me!
CHOMP! (Remove O)
Continue song, clapping for each section of disappearing donut, pointing to
blank spaces and remaining letters until the donut is all gone.
I know a treat that has a hole,
But now where could it be?
(Clap-clap-clap-clap-clap
Clap-clap-clap-clap-clap
Clap-clap-clap-clap-clap)
And there's none left for me!
Dutch in origin – fried cake olykoek (a Dutch word literally meaning "oil cake") The 1st cookbook to mention doughnuts is dates 1803

Geography
Continents and countries that eat doughnuts - find on globe or print out a map and color the countries/continents.
People that eat doughnuts
Africa and Middle East Iran Israel Jelly doughnuts South Africa Horn of Africa Tunisia Asia and Oceania Australia jam doughnut in Australia are particularly popular served hot with red jam (raspberry or strawberry) injected into a bun that is deep fried and then frosted in either sugar or cinnamon. China and Taiwan oval shaped pastry India Indonesia potato doughnut, Japan Malaysia Pakistan Local doughnuts are called 'kichori', which are filled with minced meat (beef or chicken) and deep fried. Local variations on the classic American doughnuts were made available in the early 90s, especially with arrival of Dunkin' Donuts. Philippines South Korea Europe Austria apricot jam (traditional) or vanilla cream (Vanillekrapfen). Belgium Croatia and Serbia Czech Republic strawberry or peach jelly Denmark Finland France Beignet. Germany Berliner – JFK Berlin wall Greece Iceland Italy Lithuania cottage cheese doughnuts (varškės spurgos), Netherlands fritter Poland known in Poland at least since the Middle Ages Portugal Romania In Romania, donuts are a desert called "gogoşi". Usually they are fried in oil like a pancake, with no hole, and are stuffed with chocolate, jam, cheese and other combinations. They may be covered with powdered sugar. Spain Switzerland United Kingdom and Ireland doughrings yum-yums North America Canada 'jambuster' Mexico United States spudnuts Caribbean Jamaica oval shaped South America Argentina Brazil
Per capita, Canadians consume the most doughnuts, and Canada has the most doughnut stores per capita

History
National Donut Day is on the first Friday of June each year and follows on the Donut Day event created by the Salvation Army in 1938 to honor the women who served donuts to soldiers during World War I.
You can also tell the story of the JFK speech Ich bin ein Berliner.

Science
Learn about yeast and their respiration - gases that cause dough to rise. Use proper cooking techniques measuring etc which is similar to proper experimental techniques.
nutrition

math
measurements - may use smaller units to convert to larger instead of a teaspoon use a half, instead of a cup use a Tablespoon etc.
learn about 0

literature/language
books on doughnuts - write a story
learn the letter o

Field Trip
If you live near a Krispy Kreme you can watch them make doughnuts when the hot light is on and get a free doughnut.

General Conference Activities for kids

2010-03-20T19:32:00.001-07:00

Mosiah 2:6 And they pitched their tents round about the temple, every man having his tent with the door thereof towards the temple, that thereby they might remain in their tents and hear the words which king Benjamin should speak unto them;

Pitch your "reverence tent" toward General Conference. Set up a pop up tent, a big box or blankets and chairs/tables in front of the computer or TV. Get comfy with pillows, blankets, snacks and work on the activities in this Conference Activity Booklet (http://www.scribd.com/doc/27909477/2010-April-General-Conference-Packet). Eat an m&m when a speaker says mission or Melchizedek or maybe a whopper if someone says Mahonri Moriancumer. Have a half time stretch laugh, make silly faces, run around the house & get the wiggles out. Conference can be a joyful family tradition. Let's make some great family memories of listening to Conference together.

Favorite pancakes

2010-03-17T06:40:00.001-07:00

Guilt Free Oatmeal Pancakes

2 cups rolled oats
2 cups skim milk
2 eggs lightly beaten
1/8 cup canola oil
½ to ¾ cup dried fruit such as currants, chopped dates, cranberries or
cherries (I hydrated apple slices from food storage)
chopped nuts (optional)
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup whole wheat flour (ww pastry flour if you have it)
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (I like extra)

Mix oats and milk in a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate
overnight. (I don't plan that far in advance, so I added them together
and microwaved it for a few minutes)

The next morning, preheat pancake griddle. Then stir eggs, oil, and
fruit until well blended. In another bowl mix flour, sugar, baking
soda, baking powder, and cinnamon. Add to oat mixture and mix.
Batter will be thick, spread it thin on griddle so it cooks all the
way through. Serve warm with maple syrup or fresh fruit.

Primary Teacher Thank You

2010-03-15T20:15:00.000-07:00

Teacher Thank You

Smore Brownies

Quote printed over campfire clip art

"Keep the fire of your testimony of the restored gospel and your witness of our Redeemer burning so brightly that our children can warm their hands by the fire of your faith."
--President Boyd K. Packer Ensign, May 2003, 84
Thank You for all you do!

Sharing Time: God speaks through prophets

2010-03-15T19:57:00.000-07:00

Popcorn ball blossoms added to a paper bag tree

Each question is a blossom that is added to the bear tree to end with a tree full of blossoms.

God speaks through…Prophets
Prophets testify of…Jesus Christ

Matching game
Cards with the 12 apostles and first presidency 2 of each card place on blanket throw them up in the air then with each match a prophet is removed from a picture of Christ creating a visual representation that prophets testify of Christ.

Scriptures
What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken … ; whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same (D&C 1:38).
Article of Faith #6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive church, namely apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists and so forth.
Matt 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt alove the Lord thy God with all thy bheart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy cmind. 38 This is the first and great acommandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt alove thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the alaw and the prophets.

God speaks through prophets and General Conference is a time to listen. At the most recent conference President Uchtdorf (PICTURE) said this (I played this for the children)
Love is the measure of our faith, the inspiration for our obedience, and the true altitude of our discipleship. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is continually growing and becoming better known throughout the world. Although there will always be those who stereotype the Church and its members in a negative way, most people think of us as honest, helpful, and hardworking. Some have images of clean-cut missionaries, loving families, and friendly neighbors who don’t smoke or drink. We might also be known as a people who attend church every Sunday for three hours, in a place where everyone is a brother or a sister, where the children sing songs about streams that talk, trees that produce popcorn, and children who want to become sunbeams.

President Uchtdorf speaks of the two great commandments to love God and to love each other. Let’s brainstorm ways to do obey these commandments and fill our tree with popcorn.
Who do Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love?
Think of the purest, most all-consuming love you can imagine. Now multiply that love by an infinite amount – that is the measure of God’s love for you.
He loves every one of us.

When I feel the Savior’s love I feel…

I can show love for my Savior by…

We can show love for each other by…
Help each other, reverence, obedience, kindness, speaking nicely, doing nice things,

President Uchtdorf concluded with these words 8:52
I testify that God is in His heaven. He lives. He knows and loves you. He is mindful of you. He hears your prayers and knows the desires of your heart. He is filled with infinite love for you.
Let me conclude as I began, my dear brothers and sisters: what attribute should define us as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
Let us be known as a people who love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and who love our neighbor as ourselves. When we understand and practice these two great commandments in our families, in our wards and branches, in our nations, and in our daily lives, we will begin to understand what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus the Christ. Of this I testify in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I made popcorn balls and hung them from the trees with the following quote...

God speaks through prophets. “Think of the purest, most all-consuming love you can imagine. Now multiply that love by an infinite amount – that is the measure of God’s love for you.” President Uchtdorf Oct 2009

A coloring page for their journals.

God speaks through prophets
Blossoming tree coloring page

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is continually growing and becoming better known throughout the world. … We might… be known as a people who attend church every Sunday for three hours, in a place where everyone is a brother or a sister, where the children sing songs about streams that talk, trees that produce popcorn, and children who want to become sunbeams. What attribute should define us as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Let us be known as a people who love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and who love our neighbor as ourselves.
President Uchtdorf General Conference October 2009

What's for dinner

2010-03-06T10:46:00.000-08:00

Some favorite eats at our house...

Quickest
chili and cornbread
red beans and rice and cornbread
soup and sandwiches (tomatoes soup & grilled cheese, tomato soup & cheese quesadillas)
chowder and sourdough bread
salad
spaghetti
Carbonara if you have bacon on hand or you can substitute ham
Pizza if you have the dough ready Trader Joe's has ready dough for $1.25 but if you think ahead your dough can be ready in 1.5 hours and cost a few cents. Besides the regular kinds of pizza BBQ chicken pizza is yummy. BBQ sauce Grilled chicken, red peppers and gouda if you like.
tortellini salad Frozen tortellini as you get to the end of cooking it throw in peas or another frozen veggie mix. Drain and allow veggies to cook then add ranch dressing. You can either eat it hot or cold.
Bagel Pizzas I like these better than English Muffins because they don't get as soggy.
Cincinnati Chili spaghetti with Chili on top. I know it sounds gross but it is good. ;)
Brats and fresh fruit or veggies and baked beans
Breakfast for dinner
Chinese Dumplings - you can get a big bag from costco. They are yummy but your house will have a unique odor. ;) They are good with a stir fry or some teriyaki.

Quick
Curry carrots potatoes trader joe's curry sauce and jasmine rice
Pork chops applesauce and green beans

Not so quick but most you can start in the crock pot then forget
stew and sourdough bread
black bean stoup & monte cristo sandwiches (Rachel Ray recipe)
Homemade Chicken Noodle
Teriyaki Put in the crock pot and cooked for a long time. use chicken thighs and brown sugar and soy sauce cook for several hours mmmm then make some rice and steamed carrots as a side
lentil soup
Sushi
Ginger crusted salmon - use crushed up ginger snaps with Jamaican jerk seasoning to coat salmon YUM!
Ribs cooked in the crock pot with BBQ sauce
Chicken cooked in the crock pot with BBQ sauce
Salmon burgers fresh ginger in the salmon burger is my favorite part
Italian Stew (whole tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, Italian sausage, basil beef stock)
Shrimp Etouffee Roux brown onions garlic then celery and green peppers add water and thyme and a few splashed of Tabasco eat over rice
White Enchiladas with white beans, chicken & Monterrey jack

allrecipes is by far my favorite place to find recipes. I love the ratings system so I am less likely to get a dud. So if the information provided is not specific enough try allrecipes. ;)

2010-02-18T17:33:00.001-08:00

"In 1844 Josiah Quincy (a non-member), a respected mayor of Boston, Massachusetts, traveled to Nauvoo, Illinois. He toured the city, visited with the Saints, and interviewed the Prophet Joseph Smith. Mr. Quincy later wrote a book titled Figures of the Past and included a chapter on the Prophet with this prediction: "It is by no means improbable that some future text-book for the use of generations yet unborn will contain a question something like this: 'What historical American of the nineteenth century has exerted the most powerful influence upon the destinies of his countrymen?' And it is by no means impossible that the answer to the interrogatory may be thus written: 'Joseph Smith, the Mormon prophet.'"
--John Henry Evans, Joseph Smith: An American Prophet (1946), 3-4. Quoted by Tad R. Callister, "Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration," Ensign, June 2002, 62

2010-02-18T17:28:00.000-08:00

"There is great power in loving, consistent, fervent family prayer. Don't deny your families this blessing. Don't allow the strength that comes from family prayer to slip away from you and your loved ones through neglect."
--John H. Groberg, "The Power of Family Prayer," Ensign, May 1982, 52

Rebekah

2010-02-15T12:17:00.000-08:00

A few interesting quotes from the book Women of the Old Testament.

Rebekah's characteristics noted by the servant are therefore meaningful to men and women who consider themselves part of "the Church." Like Rebekah, a true follower of Christ is willing to serve without being asked, responding to others' needs without hesitation. Single-handedly watering ten camels could symbolize God-given assignments that are beyond our natural ability to perform. Yet Rebekah completed the task without hesitation, a witness that the church and its members can accomplish whatever God requires by the enabling power of Christ. The Savior's Atonement gives us strength and wisdom to succeed in ways that exceed our imagination and clearly go beyond anything we can do alone. Next, a true disciple is virtuous and obedient to the Father's servants, as Rebekah sincerely exemplified to Abraham's servant. Finally, a sincere Christian is worthy and desirous to become part of the covenant family and live as a witness for Christ.

Women of the Old Testament Olson 56-57

"Rebekah's pitcher would likely have held at most five gallons of water. That being the case, she would have carried her jar more than fifty times" to water the ten camels.
(Olson 51)

Rebekah "I will go."

Valentine's with the Love Bugs

2010-02-11T10:56:00.000-08:00

Invertebrate invasion!
Our kids are studying invertebrates so to bring them into our holiday we are having a love bug theme. The love bugs invaded and are wandering looking for a home. They have plenty of love bug hugs to share. We are going to hide Love bugs all around to find and make our valentine holders into love bugs. Our valentines will be yarn pom pom love bugs as well. For a game we'll play Love Love Bug - AKA Duck Duck Goose and musical chairs to some lovely music. ;)

Paper Plate Love Bug Valentine/Candy holders
Paper plate heart

Use the heart directions but cut only one side in a heart to leave the bottom piece whole. The heart will look like the wings and the whole plate is the body.

Primary 2010 CD Covers with song list

2010-02-09T16:39:00.000-08:00

I wanted a CD cover with a song list. We added some songs to ours but you can easily change it to fit yours or just use this one as an idea of what you can do.

Other Old Testament Lessons

2010-01-07T10:20:00.000-08:00

years ago I was head teacher for the waddlers class (walking to age 3) at a Presbyterian church for their midweek program. I put together a bunch of simple lessons for that class that will hopefully be helpful to you. Here are the Old Testament lessons the creation lessons can be found in a previous post. :) I think these lessons will adapt well for family home evenings for families with very young children.

Adam and Eve
In the Garden
Objective: Learn about the first people Adam and Eve and their leaving the Garden of Eden
Adam Eve Snake Apple Do what God asks
Prayer
Song Apples and Bananas
Lesson: Adam & Eve Story
Scripture Genesis 3: 20 And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the amother of all living. 21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make acoats• of skins, and bclothed them. 22 And the LORD God asaid•, Behold, the bman is become as one of cus, to dknow• good and eevil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: 23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of aEden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. 24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden aCherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the btree• of life.
Song
Prayer

Books apple book box frogs, turtles & snakes book box
Craft
1 Apple prints Halved apples and edible paint on large paper.
2. Spaghetti painting
3. Paper plate snakes
Songs Apples and Bananas
Games/Activities
Plant apple seeds Oatmeal play dough snakes etc
Snacks Apples Spaghetti noodles only

Next week Noah

Noah’s Big Boat
Animals, Rain & Rainbows
Objective: Learn about God’s promise, the flood, the animals, rain and rainbows.
Prayer
Song Noah’s Ark
Lesson Use print out to tell story of animals going into the ark. Read story as well.
Scripture Genesis 7: 9 There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah.
Song fingerplay
Prayer

Books Rain Book Box baby- zoo, farm animals Busy Penguins by John Schindel (babies-preschool)
Do Monkeys Tweet? by Melanie Walsh The Story Of Noah by Alice Joyce Davidson
Leo Lion Paints it Red by Tom Eaton
Craft 1 Animals Stickers on paper plate boats color with Rainbow crayons, crayons taped together for rainbows.
2. edible rainbow bracelets fruit loops on string
Songs Eensy weensy spider 5 little monkeys The Lions on the ark…Row row row your boat, Noah’s Ark Song, God sent the animals, Drip drop, If rain drops were gum drops
Noah's Ark Song To the tune of "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" Good old Noah built an ark,Like God told him to And on that ark he took two ______,Like God told him to,with a _______ here and a _______ there,Good old Noah built an ark, Like God told him to.
Do as many verses as you'd like (I have a flip chart I use) and then at the
end instead of singing "Good old Noah built an ark, Like God told him to"
sing: And if you do what God says do, He will bless you, too. (Fingerplay) And God spoke unto Noah, … saying, … I do set my [rain]bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and … you and every living creature. (Gen. 9:8, 13, 15.) Noah built an ark, oh so big and wide—
(Place wrists together, hands in cupping shape.) All the animals hurried to be safe inside. (Wiggle fingers, then fold them in and touch knuckles.) It kept them dry from the flooding rain, For forty days and nights. (Rock fists back and forth as if the ark is rocking upon the waves.) Until Noah was told to come out again (Fingers open up and out to original position.) And see the rainbow bright!(Form a rainbow with arms.)
Games/Activities Windchimes Bottle with oil & water Box decorated as boat Umbrella toss Balloon boat Balloon inside half milk carton or shoe box Ice cubes in Ziploc bags Blanket ride to gym
Snack Banana Boats Rainbow pasta Marshmallow clouds Rainbow cups serve animal crackers in boat

Use this idea as a craft for your kids, or in a lesson plan! Very, VERY easy!
Materials: 2 paper plates glue or stapler markers or crayons scissors paper ribbon To Make: On one plate, draw a house in the center of the scooped out part. Make sure that the house borders extend down past the center of the plate. This will be the top part of the ark. With the second plate, cut it in half, and draw a boat on the bottom of the plate. Underneath the boat, on the rim, I wrote "Noah's Animals". Glue or staple the half plate to the whole plate so the scooped portions face each other, and the "boat" is underneath the "house" that you drew. This makes a nice pocket. Punch a hole in the center top of the whole plate and thread the ribbon through and tie. Print out the animals below onto one sheet, and make copies for the children. Have the children color in the animals, and then cut them out to put in the "ark" with this poem: Noah was a wise man,
Of that the scriptures tell.
And the animals upon the ark
Were very wise as well.
Look to their examples
Of how to live, and see -
We can remember Jesus
And how he would have us be.

Abraham and Sarah
Families
Objective: Learn about families and God’s love
Prayer
Song Twinkle Twinkle
Lesson: Abraham and Sarah Scripture: Genesis 16 16 And I will bless her, and agive thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a bmother• of nations; kings of people shall be of her. 17 Then Abraham fell upon his face, and alaughed•, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an bhundred• years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?
Song
Prayer

Books book boxes family moms dads bros & sis Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman Song: Birds in the Tree, 241 Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Hop On Pop by Dr. Seuss The Best Nest by P.D. Eastman
Craft Pictures of families to color Infant Isaac & Blanket
Songs Twinkle Twinkle, God made Families, Thank you God
Games/Activities Baby dolls, Dress up clothes, Family puppets, Stars to stick on the walls Tent, This is the way we hold the baby, Huge Picture of a family on floor to color
Snacks Star cookies Graham cracker stars
Next week Joshua

David and the Biggest Man Big and Little - Helpers
Craft
1 Big man little man pictures to color
2 Huge paper to draw on and little paper
3 Big and little crayons or sponges for coloring/paint
Songs
Games/Activities Blocks with pictures of helpers,
Noodles big and small, Big and little sponges, Scale,
measuring tape
Snack

Daniel and the Lions Den Prayer
Craft
1 Paper Plate Lions
2 Decorate paper cups for telephone
3 Prayer Rocks children decorate poem
Songs He’s Got the whole world in his hands I Will Say My Prayers
Games/Activities Play telephone and talk about prayer and talking to God
Snack

BOOKS
Lazy Lion by Mwenye Hadithi
Leo Lion Paints it Red by Tom Eaton Beginner Reader
1. Opening prayer.
Lion's Mask: Use a paper plate that is about 9". Cut a circle out to fit the child's face. Color yellow or brown. On the side (in the middle), place masking tape on the back side of the lion's mask and hole punch on each side. On the outside, cut the paper to make a fringe for the lions mane. Cut 2 pieces of yarn to be about 15 inches long. Tie the yarn on the mask.
(Have some or everyone pretend to growl like lions and have them close their mouths as if the angel shut them.)
King Darius: Make a king's crown out of construction paper and have one child wear it.
Make name tags of the following people: Daniel, Men, and King Darius
Activities:
Lion's Den
Track Down the Lion (Maze)
3. For younger and older children: Paraphrase Daniel 6, where it talks about Daniel in the Lion's Den. As you act out this chapter, have your children and yourselves pretend you are certain things or people in the story: lions, King Darius, Daniel, the princes, etc. Use objects to make the story come to real life for your children. For example, mane for the lions, a robes for the princes and Daniel, a crown for the king, name tags of the characters they are acting out. Act it out more than once if your children would like to do so.
4. For younger children: Have your children color the picture found at ChristianAnswers.net: Daniel in the Lions' Den. It has on the bottom of the coloring page "Daniel also refused to worship other gods. One time he was arrested for praying and was thrown into a den of hungry lions. God protected Daniel and he was not hurt by the lions."
For older children, have them draw Daniel in the Lions' Den or other parts of the story.
5. For younger children: Talk to your children and tell them that "Our Heavenly Father can also answer our prayers if we pray to him every day and night. He listens to us. He loves us so much he wants to help us.
For older children: Brainstorm with them on how Heavenly Father has helped them when they prayer to him or how he can help them.
6. For older children: Print or write out on paper the Prayer Rock poem.
Prayer Rock
I'm your little prayer rock
and this is what I'll do.
Just put me on your pillow
'til the day is through.
Then turn back the covers
and climb into your bed,
and, whack! your little prayer rock
will bump you on the head.
Then you will remember
as the day is through,
to kneel and say your prayers
as you intended to.
Then when you are finished
dump me on the floor.
I'll stay there through the nighttime
to give you help once more.
When you get up next morning,
clunk! I stub your toe,
so that you will remember
your prayers before you go.
Put me back upon your pillow
when your bed is made,
and your clever little prayer rock
will continue in your aid.
Because your Heavenly Father
cares and loves you so,
He wants you to remember
to talk to Him, you know.
-Author Unknown-
If you would like, you can add one of these object lessons to you lesson.
Object Lesson #1: Make a telephone using two empty rolls of toilet paper. Punch a hole on one side of each of the empty rolls. Tie them together using a long piece of cord or yarn. Have one of your children hold one side of the phone, and you can hold the other side. Say to them, "Heavenly Father will always listen and answer your prayers, as long as you ask for his help."
Object Lesson #2: Using a large piece of cardboard, or stand behind a wall. You stand behind a large piece of cardboard or the wall, have one of your children stand in front and you say to them, "Heavenly Father will always listen and answer your prayer, as long as you ask for his help."

8. Eat a treat. You can make round sugar cookies found at Sugar Cookies or Dairy-free Sugar Cookies and have them decorate the cookies to look like lions. For example, make brown frosting, use licorice or something else for the whiskers of the lion, and use raisins or chocolate chips for the eyes and nose. Use your imagination or your children's imaginations.

Jonah and the Big Fish Whales
and the Ocean
Craft
1 Fish Kites: Fish cut from paper
with yarn attached at mouth
2 Colored Salt paintings Salt, food color,
glue & paper
3 Fish sponge painting on blue tissue paper
spray with water on white paper
Songs Deep and Wide Jonah and the Whale
Games/Activities Dancing with fish Seashells
to explore Seaweed Salt water
Snack
Gold Fish Cup of fish

Joseph and His Brothers Colors - Clothes
Craft
1 Coats contact paper cut into a coat
scrap of paper to sprinkle on it.
2 Paper bag coats and crayons to
decorate
3 Mix primary colors fingerpaint
Songs
Jesus Loves me
Family songs form Abe & Sarah Lesson
Games/Activities
Colored Cellophane looking glass
Ziplocs with blue and red
(yellow and blue etc) shaving cream
Dress up Rainbow noodles cold and warm
Snack
Banana Buttons or rainbow cookies
Rainbow cup

The Story of Moses
Passover 10 Commandments
Craft
1 Crayons 1st Watercolors 2nd
2 Ten Commandments on paper then color
3 Pre cut lambs color with chalk and cotton balls
Notes:
Songs
If you’re happy and you know it
Jesus Love’s Me
10 Commandments song
Games/Activities
Traffic Lights/rules
Cars, trucks
Notes:
Snack
Unleavened Bread

Joshua and the big wall
Craft
1 Tambourines Beans and paper
plates stickers to decorate or crayons
2 Bell Bracelets Bells and ribbon
3 Make and decorate megaphones
Songs Head and Shoulders, Do your ears
hang low, Do you hear what I hear
Games/Activities Music, Dancing,
Instruments, Blocks, Shoebox guitar
Snack Rice krispie treats

David and the Biggest Man Big and Little - Helpers
Craft
1 Big man little man pictures to color
2 Huge paper to draw on and little paper
3 Big and little crayons or sponges for coloring/paint
Songs
Games/Activities Blocks with pictures of helpers,
Noodles big and small, Big and little sponges, Scale, measuring tape
Snack

Queen Esther
Doing the right thing
Craft
1 Crowns: construction paper scissors tape crayons and stickers
2 Batons: paper towel rolls Stars and ribbon
3 Eraser drawings draw with erasers on paper that is covered with pencil
Songs Veggie Tales Noble Duke of York
Games/Activities Purim Veggie Tales
Snack

Jonah and the Big Fish Whales and the Ocean
Craft
1 Fish Kites: Fish cut from paper with yarn attached at mouth
2 Colored Salt paintings Salt, food color, glue & paper
3 Fish sponge painting on blue tissue paper spray with water on white paper
Songs Deep and Wide Jonah and the Whale
Games/Activities Dancing with fish Seashells to explore Seaweed
Salt water
Snack
Gold Fish Cup of fish

Jonah and the People of Ninevah and Obedience/Listening
BOOKS
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss
Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
Rainbow Fish and the Big Blue Whale
Play "The Aquarium" from Carnival of the Animals by Saints-Saens while reading either "Rainbow Fish" book.
Rainbow Fish Craft: Fold a piece of paper in half lengthwise. Cut a tail to be about 3 inches. From there, make a fish body. Cut a piece off to make a mouth. Color it any color you want. Tape a long piece of yarn on the back of the fish by the tail. Play "The Aquarium" from Carnival of the Animals by Saints-Saens again while flying your fish.
Baby Beluga and sound recording by Raffi
Make a beluga whale puppet (http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/subjects/whales/whalefrontback/Belugafrontback.shtml) and tape a craft stick between the two patterns. Tape or glue the whale patterns together. Have the whale swim (you can walk around the room) as you play Baby Beluga sound recording while reading Baby Beluga by Raffi or use the music located in the back of the book.
The Whale's Song by Dyan Sheldon
NWF: Match the Whales (by their sound) Online Game
Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? by Bill Martin Jr.
Make a shaker or rain stick using a paper towel roll, construction paper and rice. Decorate the construction paper. Tape one end using masking tape. Add some rice. Tape the other side. Tape the construction paper on. Shake with music.
The Story Of Jonah by Alice Joyce Davidson (This book came in the mail for free.)
FHE
Songs: Choose the Right Way, 160; I Have Two Ears, 269; Quickly I'll Obey, 197
Lessons:
#1
Jonah and the People of Nineveh, Friend, April 1998, 42.

I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6)

Jonah was a prophet just before the ten tribes of Israel were taken captive into Babylonia, a country eastof Israel. Only a small part of Jonah’s story is told in the Old Testament, but the part that is recorded teaches us that the Lord offers salvation to everyone who will repent.
The Lord commanded Jonah to tell the wicked people of Nineveh, a city north of Babylon, that if they didn’t repent, they would be destroyed. Jonah didn’t want to go to that wicked place. He didn’t think the people would listen to him or want to change, so he got on a boat that was sailingwest to Tarshish, Spain.
A terrifying storm arose and tossed the boat to and fro. The sailors cried out to the prophet, who was sleeping, to pray to his God to save them. Knowing that his disobedience was the cause of the storm, Jonah told them, “Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you” (Jonah 1:12).
Though they didn’t want to, the sailors finally did as Jonah asked and threw him into the sea. “Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” (Jonah 1:17.)
While in the fish, Jonah cried unto the Lord. He knew that he had disobeyed, and he wanted the Lord to forgive him. The Lord did, then caused that the fish “vomited out Jonah upon the dry land” (Jonah 2:10). He again told the prophet to go to Nineveh.
Jonah obeyed. To his surprise, when he told the people of Nineveh that the Lord was displeased with them and that they would soon be destroyed, they believed him and turned from their evil ways. They accepted the gift of repentance that would come through the Savior, and they were not destroyed. Both the prophet and the people he preached to had need of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ so that they could return to Heavenly Father. Because this gift is given to everyone, we too can repent when we make mistakes.
#2
Use the above Friend for the flannel board figures.
Jonah and the Big Fish
For Little Friends: Jonah and the Big Fish, Friend, October 1990.
By Beverly Webecke Ahlstrom
1. The Lord told Jonah to go the city of Nineveh and tell the people to repent. Jonah did not want to go, so he ran away. He went to Joppa and got on a ship to Tarshish. (See Jonah 1:1-3.)
2. The Lord caused a terrible storm. Thinking that the ship would sink, the sailors prayed and threw things overboard. Jonah was asleep. The shipmaster woke him and told him to pray. (See Jonah 1:4-6.)
3. Jonah said that the Lord was mad at him and so had caused the terrible storm. He told the sailors to throw him overboard; then the sea would be calm. (See Jonah 1:7-12.)
4. The sailors first tried to row ashore but couldn’t. So they prayed, then cast Jonah into the sea. The storm stopped, and a huge fish (whale) swallowed Jonah. (See Jonah 1:13-17; Matt. 12:40.)
5. For three days and three nights Jonah lived in the belly of the fish. He prayed and repented. Then, at the Lord’s direction, the fish “vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.” (See Jonah 1:17; Jonah 2.)
6. Again Jonah was told by the Lord to go to Nineveh and preach. This time he obeyed. After the people of Nineveh heard him preach, they repented of their sins and were not destroyed. (See Jonah 3.)
Just like Jonah listened to Heavenly Father, we should listen and obey (do) what our parents tell us to do. How can you help your parents? Expand on your children's needs. When we listen and do what our parents tell us to do this is called obedience. If we are obedient, we will live with our Heavenly Father someday. What are some ways you be obedient to your Heavenly Father?
Activity and Games:
Draw a picture how you will help your parents.
Games:
Simon Says; Red Light, Green Light
Whispering Game
Whisper something into one persons ear. Have then they repeat what they heard into the next person ear. Repeat. When the message reaches the last person, that person repeats what they heard.
Sound Guessing Game
Have your children close their eyes. Have them guess what you were doing. Have them have a turn being the leader. Examples: Snap your fingers, clap your hands, whistle, stump your feet, hit a table or chair, turn a lamb on or off, type on the computer, play with blocks, turn the water on, crumble or rustle paper, open a door or cabinet, etc. You can also place something in a closed container and shake it. Have them guess what’s in the container. You could place rice or other things in it.
Treat: No-Bake Chocolate Crispy Cookies (http://www.fastq.com/~jbpratt/recipes/desserts/dairyfree/nobakecookies.html) OR
Rainbow Fish
Use sugar cookiesor dairy-free sugar cookies, biscuitsor dairy-free biscuits or pretzels for this treat.
Rainbow (Fish) Sugar Cookies, Biscuits, Pretzels, or Toast
For each color, take 1 tablespoon milk (rice/cow's) and 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon sugar and mix it. Place some of the milk mixture in small jars, glasses, small margarine containers, or other containers. Repeat for the amount of colors you want. It takes 1 drop to make each color. Take sugar cookie dough, biscuit, or a piece of white bread.
Paint with some of the milk using a pastry brush or small paint brush. Mix the colored milk to make different colors. Bake the sugar cookies, biscuits, or pretzels according to the directions in this recipe. For the bread, put the bread in the oven or a toaster oven and take it out when it is lightly brown.
NOTE: This can be for fish or other animals.
To make fish, use a circle cookie cutter and stretch it a little bit. cut a triangle for the tail. Put some water on the bottom of the tirangle so it will stay together after it is cooked.

Father in heaven, hear my prayer.
Keep me in thy loving care.
Be my guide in all I do.
Bless all those who love me too.
Father, we thank Thee for the night,
And for the pleasant morning light,
For rest and food and loving care,
And all that makes the world so fair.
Help us to do the things we should,
To be to others kind and good,
In all we do, in work and in play,
To grow more loving everyday.

Father, keep us through the night
Til the pleasant morning light.
Bless with all thy tender care
Little children everywhere. Amen.

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
See me safely through the night,
And wake me with the morning light.

Creation Lessons

2010-01-07T10:16:00.000-08:00

These lessons were designed for ages 1-3 but can be used for preschoolers and older.

How God Made the World
Day and Night
Objective: Learn about dark and light
Opening Prayer:
Song: God Made Me
Lesson: Creation of day and night
Scripture: Genesis1:1 IN the abeginning bGod• ccreated• the dheaven• and the eearth. 2 And the earth was without aform•, and void; and bdarkness was upon the face of the deep. And the cSpirit of God dmoved• upon the face of the waters. 3 And God asaid•, Let there be blight: and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was agood•: and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 And God called the light aDay•, and the bdarkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the cfirst dday•.
Place the number 1 in front of you. – Color one side black and the other yellow or white
Song: He’s got the whole world in his hands
Closing prayer:

Books It looked like spilt milk colors book box Earth Book Box

Craft Black construction paper white chalk
Other Songs This little light of mine: He’s got the whole world
Sing to the TUNE -- EIGHT DAY OF CHRISTMAS
On the first day of creation the good Lord gave to us light to light the earth.
On the second day of creation the good Lord gave to us clouds in the sky, and light to light the earth.
On the third day of creation the good Lord gave to us dry land and plants, clouds in the sky, and light to light the earth.
On the fourth day of creation the good Lord gave to us sun, moon and stars, dry land and plants, clouds in the sky, and light to light the earth.
On the fifth day of creation the good Lord gave to us fish and birds, sun, moon and stars, dry land and plants, clouds in the sky, and light to light the earth.
On the sixth day of creation the good Lord gave to us animals and man, fish and birds, sun, moon and stars, dry land and plants, clouds in the sky, and light to light the earth.
On the seventh day of creation the good Lord rested from His work, animals and man, fish and birds, sun, moon and stars, dry land and plants, clouds in the sky, and light to light the earth.
God Made Me
( Tune of The Farmer in the Dell)
Slap your thighs and clap your hands as you sing it.
God made me, God made me, God made everything and God made me. (Go around the room and use each child's name.)
God made Dustin, God made Dustin, God made everything and God made Dustin.
Then have them tell you something they do well and sing the song again.
God made me a helper, God made me a helper, God made everything and God made me a helper.
Creation Song (recite or sing to the tune of I'm a Little Teapot)God made day and God made night, He split the darkness from the light. God made you and God made me,And God made the animals A thru Z.
God made the seas and the dry land too, He made the flowers and the sky so blue. God made you and God made me,
And God made the animals A thru Z. God made the stars shining way up high, He made the birds and put them in the sky.
God made you and God made me, And God made the animals A thru Z. God made the sun and God made the moon,
He made the ants and the silly baboon. God made you and God made me, And God made the animals A thru Z.

Games/Activities Flashlights black and white balloons
Snack oreos
Next week Land and water

Objective: Difference between land and water and that God created them.
Opening Prayer:
Song: God Made Me
Lesson: Creation of Land and Water
Scripture: Genesis1:6 And God said, Let there be a afirmament• in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. 7 And God made the firmament, and divided the awaters• which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. 8 And God called the firmament aHeaven. And the evening and the morning were the second bday•. 9 And God said, Let the awaters under the heaven be gathered together unto bone• place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. 10 And God called the dry land aEarth•; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.
Place the number 2 in front of you – color it brown (earth) and Blue (water)
Song: He’s got the whole world in his hands
Closing prayer:

Books Earth book box Rain Book Box
Craft
1 Crayon drawing 1st Brown crayon 2nd Blue water color
2. Tear brown and blue paper and glue drop onto contact paper to be land and water. Cover with contact paper to make placemat.

Other Songs Deep and Wide He’s got the whole world
God Made Me Creation song

Games/Activities Water bottle with oil and water and glitter Cereal sandbox brown and blue balloons

Snack Dirt Cake - pudding and crushed oreos, Brown and blue rice crispy treats

Next week Plants

How God made the World
Plants
Objective: Learn about plants and that God created them
Opening Prayer:
Opening Song: I eat apples and bananas
Lesson: Creation of plants
Scripture: Genesis 1:11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth agrass•, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. 12 And the earth abrought• forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his bkind•: and God saw that it was good. 13 And the evening and the morning were the third day.
#3 – plants
Closing Song: God made me
Closing Prayer

Books: fall book box, Spring
Craft Pre-cut flower stems, leaves, petals glued on to page by children
leaf rubbings - put leaves under paper, bumpy side up and rub crayons over top
Leaf sun catcher: collect leaves outside. Mix white glue and water half and half. Put leaf in a margarine container lid and cover with the glue/water mixture. Let dry and remove from container lid.
Leaves – hands Trunk arm
Arm and Hand tree, corncob painting, potato prints
Songs He’s got the Whole World in His Hands: I like to eat apples and bananas: God Made Me
Little Seed...
sing to the tune of "Mary Had a Little Lamb" Little seed so small and round Pushed way down into the ground. With water and some sunshine glow God will help you grow, grow, GROW!
Games/Activities: Plant seeds? Leaves and Flowers to explore green balloons
Snack

Next week Animals

How God Made the World
Sun Moon and Stars
Objective:
Opening Song: Twinkle Twinkle
Opening Prayer:
Lesson: Creation God makes the day and night
Scripture: Genesis 1:14 And God said, Let there be alights• in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for bsigns•, and for cseasons, and for days, and years: 15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. 16 And God made two great lights; the agreater• light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the bstars• also. 17 And God set them in the afirmament• of the heaven to give light upon the earth, 18 And to rule over the aday• and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. 19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
#4 Sun Moon and Stars
Song: God Made Me
Closing Prayer:

Books: Good Night Moon by Margaret Wise Brown The Berenstain Bears On The Moon by Stan and Jan Berenstain
Outer space book box
Other Songs: This little light of mine: He’s got the whole world: Jesus wants me for a sunbeam:
Crafts: 1. Dark Blue or Black Cardboard Stars color with yellow and white chalk. Decorate with star stickers
2. Yellow and white crayons/chalk on cardboard stars
3. Star Mobiles Cardboard star for top. Hang stars from cardboard with ribbon
4. Sun balloons – paper plates and yellow balloons
Snack: Oreos or graham cracker stars
Games/Activities: Flashlights Hang stars and Suns around room maybe stars on one side and suns on the other yellow sun balloons

Next Week Animals and people

How God Made the World
Animals of the air and water
Objective: Teach children about the animals of the air and water Fish and Birds and that God made them
Prayer:
Song: God made me
Lesson: Creation Story
Scripture: Genesis 1:20 And God said, Let the awaters• bbring• forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and cfowl• that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. 21 And God created agreat• whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. 22 And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and amultiply•, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. 23 And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
# 5 decorate with fish and birds
Song
Prayer
Books beach book box wild animals book box zoo animals book box
Songs: I'm A Fish "I'm A Little Teapot" I'm a little fishy, I can swim Here is my tail, Here is my fin When I want to have fun with my friends, I wiggle my tail and dive right in. Fish Are Swimming Sung to: "Frere Jacques" / "Are You Sleeping" Fish are swimming, fish are swimming, In the sea, in the sea, A-spishing and a-splashing, A-spishing and a-splashing, Look and see, look and see. Baby Baluga Games/Activities Hand Butterfly Shadow Have the children make a butterfly by placing their thumbs together and move their other fingers like the wings of a butterfly. Have them make their shadows between a lamp and a light colored wall or door. Aquarium Carnival of the Animals Sort Birds and Fish on the wall sky and sea. Blue balloons fish toys Snack: Goldfish

God made the world
Animals and people
Objective: Teach children about different animals and parts of the body
Opening Prayer:
Opening Song: God Made Me
Lesson: Creation of animals and people
Scripture: Genesis 1:24 And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his akind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. 25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good. 26 And God said, Let aus• bmake cman in our dimage•, after our elikeness•: and let them have fdominion• over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own aimage, in the image of God created he him; male and bfemale created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be afruitful, and bmultiply, and creplenish• the dearth, and subdue it: and have edominion• over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. 29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for ameat•. 30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for ameat•: and it was so.
#6 animals and people
Closing Song: Willaby Wallaby Woo
Closing Prayer

Books wild animals book box zoo animals book box family book box baby-farm animals families zoo
Craft 1. Paper Plate Faces precut facial features with double stick tape and paper plates
3. Trace body parts on large butcher paper; feet, hands, whole body.
Songs He’s got the Whole World in His Hands: Old McDonald: Willaby Wallaby Woo: 5 Little Monkeys God Made Me Head Shoulders knees and toes
Games/Activities Dress up People blocks, milk cartons, contact paper & pictures of people Carnival of the Animals act out animals and sounds Parts of the Body animal toys
Snack Animal Crackers, Gingerbread men
Next week God rested wear PJs

God Made the World
God Rested
Objective: Learn about the Lord resting after he created the earth in six days. Talk about resting.
Opening Prayer
Song God made me
Lesson: God rested
Scripture: Genesis1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very agood•. And the evening and the morning were the bsixth• day.
#7 sleepy picture
Song He’s got the whole world in his hands
Closing Prayer

Books: Good night moon Bedtime Book Box baby-sleepytime
Craft
1. Sleepy Pictures
2. Night time prayer color and draw
Songs He’s got the whole world in His Hands God Made Me
Games/Activities Pillows and PJ’s
Snack Marshmallow pillows

Gospel Study/Life helps

2010-01-04T15:02:00.000-08:00

Free learning packet about life of President Thomas S. Monson

FHEs for 2010 We did this last year and it was SUPER!

Daily scripture reading e-mailed to you...

audio scriptures

free BYU on-line courses

old testament course

We're studying the old testament next year so I thought we'd celebrate some of the holidays/festivals

old testament curriculum for homeschoolers

LDS journal
e-mail writing prompts and a nice finished book for the end product.

Texts
Old Testament for Latter-day Families
Women of the Old Testament
Old Testament Story Scriptures
Old Testament Institute books
Old Testament Sunday School class guide

Relief Society Lesson from Elder Holland's talk Safety for the Soul

2009-12-29T09:50:00.000-08:00

My Relief Society lesson last week went so well! I always prepare more than I present so I had 3 things planned and we did one. ;) We played testimony jeopardy and it was so fun!

Here were the clues if you want to play. It's harder than it sounds. The categories were Leaders, Scriptures, Modern Prophets & members and Local Leaders. I asked for testimonies from our Primary President, Bishop & relief Society President and included my sunbeam daughter's as well. My daughter's is in the post but not the others. I put up pictures of the prophets to help narrow things down. They did really well with the scripture category. It was fun and I think we all learned and were bolstered. :)

A. “It is both the duty and privilege of the Latter-day Saints to know that their religion is true”

B. And when ye shall receive these things. I would exhort you that ye would ask God the Eternal Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
also
Come unto Christ, and be perfected in him

C. “Testimony isn’t something you have today, and you are going to have always. A testimony is fragile. It is as hard to hold as a moonbeam. It is something you have to recapture every day of your life”

D. Thou hast been faithful; wherefore…thou shalt be made strong, even unto sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father. And now I, Moroni, bid farewell…until we shall meet before the judgment seat of Christ. Quoted by ______ who then turned down the page after reading it to his brother.

E. No wicked man could write such a book as this; and no good man would write it, unless it were true and he were commanded of God to do so.

F. The Book of Mormon is true It came forth the way Joseph said it came forth and was given to bring happiness and hope to the faithful in the travail of latter days

G. Hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ…and they teach all men that they should do good

H. A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief (I played the song) sung to Joseph and Hyrum by _________

I. O Divine Redeemersung by

J. A seer shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins…And his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me; for the thing, which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation

K. Never again will the sun go down; never again will all men prove totally unworthy of communication with their Maker. Never again will God be hidden from his children on the earth. Revelation is here to remain.

L. In the same way that I know Jesus is the Christ-and that is by revelation from the Holy Spirit-I know that Joseph Smith is and was and everlastingly shall be a prophet of God –

M. Testimony

N. Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come: That Joseph Smith, Jun., the translator of this work, has shown unto us the plates of which hath been spoken, which have the appearance of gold; and as many of the leaves as the said Smith has translated we did handle with our hands; and we also saw the engravings thereon, all of which has the appearance of ancient work, and of curious workmanship. And this we bear record with words of soberness, that the said Smith has shown unto us, for we have seen and hefted, and know of a surety that the said Smith has got the plates of which we have spoken. And we give our names unto the world, to witness unto the world that which we have seen. And we lie not, God bearing witness of it.

O. I know He loves me and we love Him

P. The tomb was empty

Q. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

President Brigham Young (A)
Moroni (B)
President Harold B Lee (C)
Hyrum Smith (D)
George Cannon (E)
8 Witnesses (N)
Elder Holland (F)
Nephi (G)
John Taylor (H)
Mormon Tabernacle Choir (I)
Joseph of Egypt (J)
Spencer W Kimball (K)
Joseph Fielding Smith (L)
Wilford Woodruff (M)
Sunbeam (O)
James (Q)
Mary Magdeleine (P)

The lesson was from Elder Holland's October 2009 General Conference talk. It is an excellent talk and I highly recommend it. :)

2009-12-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

We had a fun Missionary Primary Activity a few years back where the kids went on "missions". They were sent Mission letters and sent to the MTC. They learned about their country and then went on a flight and watched and in flight movie about missionaries. This was their in flight snack.

Missionary Mix
Popcorn - D&C 33:7 Yea, verily, verily, I say unto you, that the field is awhite already to harvest; wherefore, thrust in your sickles, and reap with all your might, mind, and strength.
Rod Pretzels – Hold to the iron rod and you will not wander
Twist pretzels – Arms folded in prayer. Pray continually for guidance and strength
Sunflower seeds – Alma 32:28 Now, we will compare the word unto a aseed. Now, if ye give place, that a bseed may be planted in your cheart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your dunbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to eenlighten my funderstanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.

Bath Recipes

2009-12-05T19:11:00.000-08:00

Bath Indulgences Recipes

Bathtub Finger Paints 1/3 cups clear liquid dish soap 1 Tbsp. Cornstarch food coloring Mix liquid soap and cornstarch together in a small bowl until blended. Pour mixture in equal amounts into ice cube tray. Add a couple drops food coloring into each compartment and mix. Do not let little ones get this into their eyes.

Bath Cookies 2 cups finely ground sea salt 1/2 cup baking soda 1/2 cup cornstarch 2 T light oil 1 tsp vitamin E oil 2 eggs 5-6 drops essential oil Preheat your oven to 350 F. Mix together all the ingredients. Take a teaspoon of the dough and roll it gently into a ball (about an inch in diameter). Continue doing this with all the dough and place the balls on an ungreased cookie sheet. (You can decorate the cookies with clove buds, anise seeds, or dried citrus peel if you wish.) Bake the cookies for 10 minutes, until they are lightly browned. Do not over bake. Allow the cookies to cool completely. To use: drop 1 or 2 cookies into a warm bath and allow to dissolve. Yield: 24 cookies, enough for 12 baths.

Simple Shaped Soap Bars & Soap Crayons

Soap Crayons (I didn’t have much luck getting these to write on the tub but they work a little on skin) 2 cups Ivory soap grated food coloring Melt soap in microwave 15 sec at a time, add food coloring and pour into muffin tins or ice cube trays. The crayons will take a couple of days to dry. – Simple shaped soap - press mixture into cookies cutters. Set the cookie cutter on it's side so the soap dries on both sides, or flip it often. Put in a dry place to dry for about 24 hours. Gently pop your soap out of the cookie cutter. More: Instead of using cookie cutters, you can make miniature bars of homemade soap by pressing your mixtures into ice cube trays. You can also roll them into balls. For a simple gift, tie a ribbon around the home-made bars of soap, or fill a small gift basket!

Milk bath 1cup dry buttermilk ¾ cup salt ½ cup baking soda

Bath salts ¾ cup Epsom salts ¼ cup baking soda 1 ½ cup sea salt 1 t scent coloring Mix

Bath Fizz ½ cup baking soda 1/8 cup cornstarch 20 drops essential oil 1/8 cup citric acid
Bath Bombs 1 cup baking soda 1/2 cup cornstarch 1 cup citric or ascorbic acid 1/8 cup epson salt 1/2 cup olive oil 20 to 28 drop fragrance oil Mix very well. Add UP to 1/2 cup olive oil, until the consistency of pastry dough. Add a 20 to 28 drops fragrance oil if you want them scented. Put on cookie sheet and put wax paper down. Form into small, golf- sized balls, and Store in cellophane wrapper, and then put in glass jar for each scent you make.

Bubble Bags Used in the shower, when there is no time to take a soaking bath. 2 parts oatmeal 2 parts dried herbs 1 part grated soap Place ingredients in a cloth bag and use as a washcloth.

BATH BAGS These are easy to make bath bags to sew and put soap in for fun bath-taking! Washcloths in bright colors and/or patterns Ribbon or lace Thread Scissors Sewing machine Fold a washcloth in half. Take a length of ribbon or lace, fold it in half, and place it (folded edge in) inside the open edge near the top of the washcloth. Pin sides together, making sure to capture the ribbon! Sew up side and on end (make sure you sew closed the end opposite where you put the ribbon). Turn inside out, fill with soap or bath beads/salts and tie closed with ribbon.

Lip balm 1 1/2 t cocoa butter 1 ½ t bee’s wax grated 5drops flavoring
Cherries Bubble Bath Recipe 1/2 cup unscented shampoo 3/4 cup water 1/2 teaspoon salt (regular table salt is fine) 15 drops cherry fragrance oil Pour shampoo into a bowl and add water. Stir gently until well mixed. Add salt, and stir until mixture thickens. Add cherry fragrance and place in decorative bottle.

BATHTUB COLORS Inexpensive shaving cream Food coloring For each color, mix 2 tablespoons shaving cream with food coloring. Mix, and put each color into an old muffin tin. Give a paintbrush to the child, and let him/her draw their own art on the bathtub. This washes off very easilyOatmeal Milk Bath 1 cup cornstarch 2 cups milk powder 1/2 cup oatmeal (ground finely first or use baby oatmeal) Combine all in food processor until mixed. (Remember...this may scratch your food processor bowl if its plastic) Add 1/2 cup to hot bath water. You can also add rose petals, lavender, rosemary, any herbs will do. Just remember to grind them up finely first!
http://www.acplace.com/Crafts/bath.htm

BATH BAGS
These are easy to make bath bags to sew and put soap in for fun bath-taking!
Washcloths in bright colors and/or patterns Ribbon or lace Thread Scissors
Sewing machine
Fold a washcloth in half. Take a length of ribbon or lace, fold it in half, and place it (folded edge in) inside the open edge near the top of the washcloth. Pin sides together, making sure to capture the ribbon! Sew up side and on end (make sure you sew closed the end opposite where you put the ribbon). Turn inside out, fill with soap or bath beads/salts and tie closed with ribbon.

BATHTUB COLORSInexpensive shaving cream Food coloringFor each color, mix 2 tablespoons shaving cream with food coloring. Mix, and put each color into an old muffin tin. Give a paintbrush to the child, and let him/her draw their own art on the bathtub. This washes off very easilySURPRISE GLYCERIN SOAPParents - please supervise, especially with the heating, adding essential oil and cutting steps. 1 bar clear, unscented glycerin soap Small toys, shells, etc. to go inside the soap (make sure the items aren't too small as they could go down the drain)Small loaf pans or small molds Essential oilPut a bar of soap in a bowl in the microwave and melt it until it liquefies (about 1 minute) or in the top of a double boiler on the stove. Pour 1/4 inch of this soupy soap into any mold that is 2 inches high. In about 3 minutes it will get a skin on the top. Lay the small objects to be encased in the soap on it, with the pretty side face down. Reheat the remaining soap jelly until it is completely liquefied again. Add just one drop of an essential oil, blend gently with a fork and pour it into the mold until the soap is 3/4 inch to 1 inch higher than the object inside. Wait about 30 minutes for it to harden. Run a knife around the sides of the soap and then to hold the mold upside down under hot water and band it on the counter . These steps are necessary to release the soap. Keep as is or cut it into chunky blocks and display in the bathroom.EASY SOAP MAKINGGlycerin soap in lots of colors* Soap or candy molds Microwave Microwavable cupsPlastic or metal spoons and/or wooden Popsicle sticks or coffee stirrers Sharp knife* This only works with glycerin soap. Transparent Neutrogena bars will work fine.Set out everything you need, all ingredients, etc. on top of the kitchen table (or other comfortable working area) that has been covered in newspaper. Cut bars of soap into about three pieces. Put a piece into a cup (cut the pieces in half if you are going to mix colors). Put soap in microwave and melt it on HIGH for about 10 to 15 seconds. It may take a bit longer on low-wattage microwaves. If it doesn't start to liquefy in 15 seconds or it starts to bubble or boil, you may not have a pure glycerin soap bar. Remove soap using a potholder, and stir it to mix thoroughly. Pour melted soap (you have to work quickly here as it hardens fast) into molds. Wait about 5 minutes for soap to harden and cool. Remove soap from molds, and put soap into gift bags or bath bags. NOTES: If you are having difficulty getting the soap out of the molds, put molds in the freezer for up to 30 minutes. If the soap still sticks to the molds, you can put olive oil in the soap or oil the molds with oil or cooking spray.Bath Cookies 2 cups finely ground sea salt 1/2 cup baking soda 1/2 cup cornstarch 2 T light oil 1 tsp vitamin E oil 2 eggs 5-6 drops essential oil Preheat your oven to 350 F. Mix together all the ingredients. Take a teaspoon of the dough and roll it gently into a ball (about an inch in diameter). Continue doing this with all the dough and place the balls on an ungreased cookie sheet. (You can decorate the cookies with clove buds, anise seeds, or dried citrus peel if you wish.) Bake the cookies for 10 minutes, until they are lightly browned. Do not overbake. Allow the cookies to cool completely. To use: drop 1 or 2 cookies into a warm bath and allow to dissolve. Yield: 24 cookies, enough for 12 baths.Bathtub Finger Paints1/3 cups clear liquid dish soap 1 Tbsp. Cornstarch food coloring Mix liquid soap and cornstarch together in a small bowl until blended. Pour mixture in equal amounts into ice cube tray. Add a couple drops food coloring into each compartment and mix. Do not let little ones get this into their eyes. Soap Crayons2 cups Ivory Snow soap 1/4 cup warm water food coloring Mix soap and water, add food coloring and pour into muffin tins or ice cube trays. The crayons will take a couple of days to dry. milk bath 1 cup dry buttermilk ¾ cup salt ½ cup baking sodaBath salts ¾ cup Epsom salts ¼ cup baking soda 1 ½ cup sea salt 1 t scent coloringBath Fizz½ cup baking soda 1/8 cup cornstarch 20 drops essential oil 1/8 cup citric acidLip balm1 1/2 t cocoa butter 1 ½ t bee’s wax grated 5drops flavoring

Baby Shower ideas

2009-12-05T19:09:00.000-08:00

Baby Shower Poems
Here are some original baby shower poems to delight your shower guests; the poems which we have included on this site should be just what you're looking for.

This Special Day
Thank you for sharing this special day
I'm sorry I had to stay away
But I may be a little longer
'Cos I have to grow much stronger.
Thank you for your love and wishes
I'd like to shower you with kisses.
Love from Baby.

With Tiny Hands
With tiny hands and tiny feet
I hope that very soon we'll meet
I hope that you will stay a while
And make my mommy (and daddy) smile.
And although I can't be there today
There's something that I'd like to say,
Thank you for your gifts and wishes
And please help mommy with the dishes.
Love from Baby.

Baby's message
Thank you all for stopping by
But as I am a little shy
I thought today I'd stay away
Mommy said that its ok.
Friendship is so hard to measure
But something mommy (and daddy) will treasure
I hope to see you very soon
Because in here there ain't much room.
Love from Baby.

An invitation
Please come to a Baby Shower
Please arrive at the appointed hour.
With your reply please don't wait;
Don't even think to hesitate.
Please say yes or you'll be missed
And we'll check your name on our list.

An invitation
You're invited to a Baby Shower
To take place at the appointed hour.
Please check your diary as soon as poss'
And against the date please put a cross.
If you are free on that date
An early reply we'd appreciate.
Please don't dilly
And please don't dally,
Because food and people we must tally.

A Child's Angel
Once upon a time there was a child ready to be born. So one day he asked God: "They tell me you are sending me to earth soon, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"
"Among the many angels, I chose one for you. She will be waiting for you and will take care of you."
"But tell me, here in Heaven, I don't do anything else but sing and smile, that's enough for me to be happy."
"Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you every day. And you will feel your angel's love and be happy."
"And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me, if I don't know the language that men talk?"
"Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."
"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"
"Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."
"I've heard that on earth there are bad men. Who will protect me?"
"Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."
"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."
"Your angel will always talk to you about me and will teach you the way for you to come back to me, even though I will always be next to you."
At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from earth could already be heard, and the child in a hurry asked softly: "Oh God, if I am about to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."
"Your angel's name is of no importance, you will call your angel: Mommy"

For hostesses who live in the same town as the mom-to-be: The hostess could send invitations out to all of your guests. In the invitations, ask them to send their gift to the hostess and to play a game. Games could be: who will baby look like, make a wish for the mom in while in labor, and baby stats! Once the party box is filled with the gifts and game answers, the hostess wraps it all up and sends it to the mom-to-be. A big party box! How much fun!
Throw a Long-Distance Shower

"I had a long distance shower for my sister -- I asked everyone to come over and bring their unwrapped gifts and some wrapping paper. We all showed off the gifts we bought, then set up a video camera to tape everything. We wrapped presents while enjoying refreshments, favors, everything that you usually have at a shower (except the honoree.) Then we boxed all the gifts up and sent them to my sister, along with the video and instructions to open the gifts while watching the video. It was a lot of fun for everyone."

"My sister-in-law lives far away from us and is pregnant with her fourth baby. None of us can be there to give her a shower (which I think every pregnant woman deserves!) so I decided to send her a "Baby Shower in a Box." In a large shipping box I will put gifts from all the family members who are here (wrapped of course), a large decorated cookie (this will be the cake) and a list of games. I'll seal each game answer in an envelope to be revealed after the game is played and include prizes for each winner. The games are guess how many jelly beans are in the baby bottle and guess the price of assorted baby items (inspired by the Price Is Right). My father-in-law has written a poem about 'Baby Shower in a Box.' And last, but not least, I will add some helium balloons, so hopefully when the box is opened the balloons will float up and out, with the poem attached."

Pins and Rice:
A fun and surprisingly difficult game to play! Fill a small bowl 3/4 full with dry rice. Add small safety pins to the mix. Blindfold each guest and give them the chance to remove as many safety pins as possible in one minute. The guest who finds the most pins wins the game. It is actually pretty hard to do since the pins and the rice feel the same. Make sure to return all the pins into the bowl before each guest starts. Then everyone gets a fair chance at winning!
Preparation: small bowl, small safety pins, blindfold, paper and pen to record guest results, watch.
Baby Mad Libs:
Create a story about the mom and her pregnancy or labor/delivery. After it is written, go back in and take out some key words (around 4-5 words, depending on the length of your story) and replace with a blank space. Make note of the word you removed and what it represented (adjective, adverb, noun, verb, number, emotion, etc..). During the game, give guests a piece of paper and ask them to write down the type of words you removed. So, if you had removed an adverb, then the guests would fill in an adverb like "slowly". After guests have completed all of the words, hand them another paper with the story and have them fill in the blank spaces with their words. Be sure that you number each word assigned to the blank spaces. You'll be surprised at how funny their stories will be!
Preparation: create story with blanks and make copies, number a paper with the key terms (adj, adv, noun,) and make copies, pens.
Create Baby's Name:
Write out the mom's first name and the dad's first name on a piece of paper. Make copies for each guest. While you time them for about three minutes, ask players to find names for the baby out of the letters in the parent's names.
· "Belly Bulge" - To make the mother-to-be feel at home, ask the guests to come "pregnant," wearing maternity smocks stuffed with pillows. Then at game time, have the guests replace the pillows with their gifts. Mom-to-be must feel each "belly" and guess the gift underneath.
Write down things people say while opening presents that the mom-to-be may say during labor/conception
Custom Made Puzzle
Definitely start with this one! As your guests walk in the door, pass out a puzzle based on the mother-to-be, your party theme, or the guests. They will have a fun puzzle to solve that gets them into the spirit of your party, and they will be entertained while you wait for everyone to arrive!
Help Out the Mom-to-Be
As guests arrive have them address a Thank You card envelope. Once everyone has filled out the envelopes; draw one from the basket and the addressee wins a door prize. ? This is fun but also helps out the Mom-to-Be a lot!
Real-Life Mom
String a clothesline across the room or have two people hold up the clothesline. Let two guests go at a time. Give the two guests a baby doll, cordless telephone, and a basket of baby clothes with clothes pins. Give a time limit of 1 minute where the two guests must try to hang as many clothes on the clothesline as they can while holding the baby and talking on the phone. Repeat as many times as necessary to let all the guests participate.
One-handed Diaper change
Pair up guests in twos. Give each pair a baby doll and a diaper. The pairs must put the diaper on the baby doll but each person can only use one hand. The fastest pair wins!
True to Life:
This is a game of distractions, much like real life. The object is to dress a baby doll while guests shout out distractions. Get a baby doll that is close to the size of a baby. Get some clothes that will fit, you can make it as challenging as you'd like. Make a list of distractions such as food burning on the stove, doorbell ringing, phone call, dog throwing up, etc... Either have your guests pick one distraction and read it out loud or have the hostess read each distraction. Get a few volunteers to "dress the baby" and time them for a few minutes. While they are trying to dress the baby, have them check on the distraction. See who gets their baby dressed the fastest. And they are disqualified if they leave the baby by herself!
Preparations: baby doll, baby clothing, watch, list of distractions

New ba
Sensations
Adjective
Verb-Ing
Number
Number
Verb
Exclaimation
Emotionalfeeling
Noun-Pl
Person-Pl
Number
Liquid
Adjective
Bodilyfluid
Bodypart
Adverb
Verb-Ing
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Bodypart-Pl
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Funkatizer :

Having a new baby is a really big challenge...
It all starts when you feel the first _______ of labor. It can be a _________experience for a new mom. when the cramping starts it makes you feel like________ . it can go on for a matter of minutes or last as long as _____ _____ hours. But finally the time comes to ________ the baby out. OUCH It is Painful.
You and and finally... The baby is born. you may exclaim It is over!! But this is only the beginning.
Now you have a little buddle of . You will have lots of sleepless ahead. little Baby often wake at least times a night, and need to drink a bottle full of . Most likely their diaper will be so you will need to change it. Some babies will have come out when their diaper is removed, especially if the cold air hits their . So go or you may get all over you.
time to even take a shower is . But when you get under the nice warm your will relax. Ahhh.
So anyway...Right now, the newborn is an eating, sleeping, and machine. But soon they will be around the , and pulling on the ears and of the family . It never gets easier... small children small ... big children big ...
Your Name
Place
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Verb Ing
Person
Exclamation
Exclamation
Place
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Vehicle
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Once upon a time, there was a woman named Mel . She was very, very, very pregnant. She started having contractions. So, she decided to get everything ready to go to the A to have her B . When she tried to get in touch with her husband, he was busy C D . You got so mad at him that you screamed E F get over here and take me to G and get this H out of me! NOW! So, he jumped up and ran over and cranked up the I J . It was the most ugliest color of K you had ever seen. So, on the way to L , he preceeded to run over the M N and the O . It made you so P , that you Q all over him. After getting R speeding tickets, you make it to the hospital. The DR. Checks you in and you end up having a brand new S ! Congratulations!

Include the Dads-to-Be

"One way to include the Dad in the baby shower for his wife is to give him a hospital gift bag, including change for vending machines and the phone, a book, snacks, clean socks and even some Advil for that headache that is sure to come with so much to do. Another idea is to have a cookout baby shower and invite couples. My friends and I had a cookout shower with an Old West theme. The dads really enjoyed this one. The honorary couple was new to our area and it gave the everyone a chance to get to know each other."

Create a labor bead necklace:
Ask guests to write out one wish for the mom-to-be while she is in labor and one wish for the baby at the time of the birth. After the party, string beads together to form a necklace. Each bead should represent one wish. Tip: use pink beads to represent the labor wishes and blue beads to represent the wishes for baby at birth. (Any color bead will work)
So, if you have 15 guests who participated in this activity, you should have 30 beads on the necklace. Write out the wishes in a journal or notebook for a nice keepsake. Present it to the mom-to-be. Let her know that the meaning behind this activity is that she should pack the necklace in her labor bag and pull it out when labor begins. The necklace will let her know that everyone is thinking of her and the baby at that special time. Having the necklace can be a source of positive energy and strength for her in the time she needs it most! A great activity for the mom-to-be who lives far from family and friends.
*An alternative to this activity is to have each guest bring a bead, go around the room and have each guest give their "wish" or "thought of strength" for the mom and then add their bead to the necklace.
A Blessingway is an ancient Navajo ceremony to celebrate a woman's transition into motherhood. The Navajo have a saying, "whatever happens here on Earth must first be dreamed",
Next, we wove a cord bracelet for us each to wear until Mo's baby was born. After the birth, we were free to cut off the bracelet; in the meantime, it was a constant reminder on our wrists of Mo's upcoming journey.
My favourite part of the afternoon was when I asked everyone to describe their connection with Mo - how they met her, what drew them to her, why she was important to them. When else do we have opportunity for close friends to share openly about their feelings?
This was a very touching moment, and we were all weeping (and sobbing!) by the end of it. In conclusion, before the gifts and feasting, I read a poem, which is traditionally used as concluding words:
An Ode to Faith
-by Patrick Overter
When you have come to the edge
Of all the light you know,
Into the darkness of the unknown,
Faith is knowing that
One of two things will happen,
There will be something solid to stand on,
Or you will be taught how to fly.
Candle lighting: give candles to guests as they arrive at the party and ask them to light a candle for the mom-to-be and place it in the room. Another candle lighting that you can do is to give candles to each guest as they leave. When the mom goes into labor, contact each guest and ask them to light their candles while the mom labors. This is to send support, strenght and positive thoughts toward the mother.

Birthday candle wishes:
Ask each guest to write out a wish for the baby. After the party, write out the wishes onto small pieces of paper and wrap each one around a candle. Place the candles in a pretty bag and present it to the mom-to-be.
The meaning behind this activity is that one candle be used on the child's birthday cake each year. So, if you have twenty guests to the party, the baby can have one wish each year on his/her birthday cake up to the age of twenty!

Autumn/Halloween

2009-12-05T19:07:00.000-08:00

AUTUMN ARTS & CRAFTSLEAF PLACEMATS

Begin with a walk through the fallen leaves. After you have collected the leaves place them in between clear contact paper to make autumn placemats.

AUTUMN PLANTERS When cold weather arrives, gourds, winter squash, Indian corn, and small pumpkins can fill the planters that once overflowed with flowering annuals; tuck some colorful leaves into any gaps. There’s no better way to capture the spirit of the fall harvest season

Natural fall decorations are not only easy but also charming and beautiful. Here are a few ideas to perk up your house for fall: ~Brightly colored leaves nestled in a woven basket~ ~Pumpkins, gourds, dried corn and acorns~ ~Bowls of nuts with nut cracker~ ~Baskets or bowls filled with apples and pears~ ~Stacked magazines tied with raffia~ ~Pinecones in decorative buckets or baskets~ ~Eucalyptus swags~ ~Dried flowers in canning jars or vases~ ~Birdhouses~ ~Pussywillow branches and cattails~ ~Quilts and throws~ ~Simmering potpourri~ ~Candles and/or oil lamps~ ~Straw hats and wreaths~ ~Seasonal books and cookbooks~ Five Quick and Cheap Ways to Decorate for Fall By Kathleen Wilson1.Utilize the "use what you have" theory! Go through your cupboards and drawers to find items that can be used as props in your fall display. Find pitchers to use to hold wildflowers and dried grasses bring out warm throws to toss over your couch, layer fabrics on your tables. (Remember, pretty blankets and quilts can work well!)2.Take a nature walk. Gather organic elements that can be used in your fall makeover. Acorns, pinecones, seedpods, bark, even stones can be used as display in bowls around the home. Press pretty leaves and strew them on tables and around centerpieces.3.Bring out the candles! If you put away your candles for winter, now is the time to bring them to center stage. Gather groups of inexpensive votives and tie together with scraps of raffia. 4.Add scent to the home. Simmer apple peels and cinnamon sticks on the stove, or invest in a couple of vials of potpourri oil. They are relatively inexpensive at just a couple bucks apiece, and they last forever, as you only need a few drops. Cloves, Cinnamon, NutmegMix spoonfuls of these spices together. Pour them into a square of aluminum foil. Add a few drops of water and close leaving a small opening at the top. Place them onto a cookie sheet and into a 275-degree oven. As the water evaporates you will notice the aroma wafting through a three).

5.Celebrate the tastes of the harvest season. Keep apples and pomegranates out in bowls, store squashes on countertops, pick up a pumpkin or two at your produce stand (even though it's not Halloween yet!) and use as a centerpiece, or pile a couple next to the kitchen door.

AUTUMN FAMILY FUN
Paint with foods such as corn, apples
-Explore the inside of a gourd or pumpkin with your little
ones. Let them feel, taste and smell the wonder
of the season.
-Have a pumpkin seed-spitting contest!
-Bob for apples...it's been a while hasn't it!
-Fill a wagon with hay and take your little one on a
"hay ride" around the neighborhood.
RING THE PUMPKIN
Line up three large pumpkins with stems, to form a ring toss. Use embroidery hoops or make hoops with rope and duct tape. Mark a throwing line on the floor and take turns trying to ring a pumpkin stem. It doesn't matter if the players make a "ringer" or not, reward them
with small prizes or stickers. Smaller children can attempt to ring an entire large pumpkin with a hula-hoop.
Use empty plastic pop bottles for bowling pins.
Each child gets three chances to roll the gourd into the pins. The gourds go every which way but straight. Lots of giggles for this one.
POPCORN RELAY RACE Set out bowls full of popcorn at one end of the room,
empty bowls at another. Teams must transport the popcorn from full bowl to empty, using a measuring cup. This is a messy game - plan it for the end of the party!
Autumn Recipes
Warm and Spicy Autumn Punch
The aroma of this punch tells you that fall is in the air. Make a batch and your home will have a fragrance that will alert anyone's sense of smell. Prep Time: approx. 20 Minutes. Cook Time: approx. 50 Minutes. Ready in: approx. 1 Hour 10 Minutes. Makes 16 servings. Printed from Allrecipes, Submitted by Michele O'Sullivan

2 oranges8 whole cloves6 cups apple juice1 cinnamon stick 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg1/4 cup honey3 tablespoons lemon juice2-1/4 cups pineapple juice

Directions
1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Stud the whole oranges with cloves and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven.
2 In a large saucepan, combine the apple juice and cinnamon stick; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the nutmeg, honey, lemon
juice and pineapple juice.
3 Serve hot in a punch bowl with the 2 clove-studded
baked oranges floating on top

Autumn Cheesecake
This is a delicious Apple Cheesecake that I usually make in the fall. Prep Time: approx. 30 Minutes. Cook Time: approx. 1 Hour 10 Minutes. Ready in: approx. 4 Hours. Makes 1 - 9 inch spring form (12 servings). Printed from All recipes, Submitted by Stephanie

1 cup graham cracker crumbs1/2 cup finely chopped pecans3 tablespoons white sugar1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup white sugar2 eggs1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract4 cups apples - peeled, cored and thinly sliced1/3 cup white sugar1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/4 cup chopped pecans
Directions1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a large bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs, 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and melted butter; press into the bottom of a 9 inch spring form pan. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.2 In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar. Mix at medium speed until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in vanilla; pour filling into the baked crust.3 In a small bowl, stir together 1/3-cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Toss the cinnamon-sugar with the apples to coat. Spoon apple mixture over cream cheese layer and sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped pecans.4 Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes. With a knife, loosen cake from rim of pan. Let cool, and then remove the rim of pan. Chill cake before serving. Iced Pumpkin CookiesWonderful spicy iced pumpkin cookies that both kids and adults love! Prep Time: approx. 20 Minutes. Cook Time: approx. 20 Minutes. Ready in: approx. 1 Hour 20 Minutes. Makes 3 dozen (36 servings). Printed from Allrecipes, Submitted by Gina 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder1 teaspoon baking soda2 teaspoons ground cinnamon1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg1/2 teaspoon ground cloves1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 cup butter, softened1 1/2 cups white sugar 1 cup canned pumpkin puree1 egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract2 cups confectioners' sugar3 tablespoons milk1 tablespoon melted butter1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt; set aside.2 In a medium bowl, cream together the 1/2-cup of butter and white sugar. Add pumpkin, egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla to butter mixture, and beat until creamy. Mix in dry ingredients. Drop on cookie sheet by tablespoonfuls; flatten slightly.3 Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool cookies, then drizzle glaze with fork.4 To Make Glaze: Combine confectioners' sugar, milk, and 1 tablespoon melted butter, and 1-teaspoon vanilla. Add milk as
Needed, to achieve drizzling consistency.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
Use a zucchini Bread Recipe and instead of Zucchini add a large can of pumpkin then add a small bag of chocolate chips. Yummy!

Halloween

Hand Print Spiders
You'll need: Black paint, paper and wiggly eyes
Paint your child's four fingers and palm black NOT THUMB...
Stamp paint on paper pointing fingers out.
Paint other hand and stamp it in the opposite direction overlapping palm prints. Add wiggly eyes.

Costume Ideas
http://www.costumeideazone.com/default.asp
WITCHES HATS
12 striped shortbread cookies (such as Keeblers)
12 chocolate Hershey Kisses candies, unwrapped
1 tube ready-to-use orange decorating icing
1. Place cookies upside down (so that the all chocolate side is up). Place a small dab of orange icing on the bottom center of a Hershey Kiss. 'Glue' the kiss in the center of the cookie. With the writing tip on the orange decorating icing, make a ribbon with a bow around the bottom of the Hershey Kiss...or pipe a ring around Hershey Kiss. There you have little witches hats! Makes 12.
Bugs in a Bowl
Mix cooled popcorn, chocolate chips and gummy worms.
In a bowl.

Happy Halloween
Since this is the time for goblins and bats
Halloween spirits, ghosts and black cats,
Weird happenings and witches brew,
These are the things we wish for you:
May the only spirit you chance to meet
Be the spirit of love and warm friends sweet;
May the only goblin that comes your way
Be the neighborhood Phantom that you’ll want to give away!
So by tomorrow, pick three friends sweet
And give them all a Halloween treat.
You only have one day, so hurry!
Leave that treat on the doorstep, and then flee in a flurry!
Now these are the things you will need to do:
1. Make 3 copies of this letter and 3 copies of the phantom ghost
2. Post the Phantom on your door until Halloween. This will ward off the Phantom Ghost from returning to haunt you and yours.
3. Then take your letter, Phantom and treat, and deliver them to three homes in Laurel or Blakely that do not have a Phantom posted.
‘Tis better giving than receiving, we all know this is true.
So show your love to a neighbor and remember:
NOW THE PHANTOM IS YOU!!!

Identity Crisis: Wear a sweatsuit or other uniformly-colored clothing, and put "Hello my name is..." tags with random names all over your body.

Bellybutton Lint: Take any pair of sweatpants and sweatshirt that are white on the inside. Wear the sweatpants and sweatshirt inside out. Pin a sign on yourself that says "Bellybutton Lint." For extra points, wear a black knit stocking hat with cotton balls glued to it.

Static Cling: Wear any kind of mismatched clothes, pin one pant leg up, pin dryer sheets on you as well as socks, small towels, etc., and then use hair gel to make your hair look like it has static.

Mrs. Potato Head: Use brown felt to make yourself into a potato, wear white leggings, turtleneck and gloves underneath, with red clown shoes. Make up some felt body parts (eyes, lips, etc., and attach Velcro everyone will be able to play with your parts!)

The History & Legends of Halloween
By Cheri Sicard

The word Halloween has its origins in the Catholic Church, coming from a contraction of All Hallows Eve. November 1, or "All Saints Day"), is a Catholic day of observance in honor of saints, but the history of Halloween goes much farther back than the Catholics or the name.

In 5th century BC Ireland, summer officially ended on October 31. The Celts believed that on this day ghosts walked and mingled with the living. The holiday was called Samhain (sow-en) which marked the third and final harvest of the year, the Celtic New Year.

The reason the Celts celebrated this day as New Year, rather than Yule, like other European pagans, was probably due to the fact the that the sun is at its lowest point on the horizon, as measured by the ancient standing stones of Britain and Ireland.

The Druids sacrificed to their deities by burning victims in wicker cages. Prior to the ceremony, all other fires extinguished and were then re-lit from the sacrificial fire.

Today modern pagans and Wiccans celebrate Halloween or Samhain as the New Year, the day when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest. The pagan god dies at Samhain, only to be re-born again at Yule. For these pagans,
Samhain is a day for remembering and honoring the dead and celebrating the eternal cycle of reincarnation.

Pope Boniface was instrumental in superimposing a Christian festival over the pagan traditions. Originally, the holidays took place on May 13, but a century later, Pope Gregory III changed it to the present November 1. October 31 was no longer the last day of the year and Samhain was reassigned to the Feast of All Saints.

It is interesting to note that many of the customs surrounding the observance of the Christian All Souls Day also center around accessibility to the dead. In fact, many customs with their origins in pagan traditions have survived to the present. In addition to the souls of the dead alleged to be roaming about, the devil, witches and other assorted monsters and goblins are believed to be at the peak of their supernatural powers.

In Europe, Halloween eventually evolved into a celebration for children. "Ghosts" went from door to door asking for treats, or else a trick would be played on the owners of the home. When millions of Irish immigrated to the United States in the 1840s the tradition followed them.
The History & Legends of Jack O" Lanterns
By Cheri Sicard

Carving Jack O' Lanterns is a Halloween custom that dates back to ancient Ireland, although the first Jack-o-Lanterns were made of turnips, beets or even hollowed out potatoes, not pumpkins. The large orange squashes didn’t come into prominence until Irish immigrants settled in the United States, where pumpkins were cheaper and more plentiful than turnips.

Several version of an Irish legend tells of a man named Stingy Jack, who invited the Devil to have a drink. When it came time to pay, he convinced the Devil to change into a sixpence, but instead of paying for the drink Jack pocketed the sixpence and kept it stored beside a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back. Jack made a deal with the Devil before letting him free that the Devil could not harass him. Next Halloween Jack died and was turned back from the Gates of Heaven. He went to the Gates of Hell and the Devil told him to go away, as Jack had made him promise not to claim his soul. Jack didn't want to leave because it was dark and he couldn't find his way. The Devil tossed Jack a glowing coal and Jack put it inside a turnip, and ever since with this "Jack O' Lantern", Stingy jack’s lonely soul has been roaming the faces of this earth.

Another version has Jack tricking Beezelbub into climbing a tree, where upon Jack then carved an image of a cross in the tree's trunk, trapping the devil in his high perch. Jack made a deal with the devil that, if he would never tempt him again, he would promise to let Lucifer down from the tree. According to the folk tale, after Jack died, he was denied entrance to Heaven because of his evil ways, but he was also denied access to Hell because he had tricked the devil. The rest of the legend remains the same.

THE GOLD BOX

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THE GOLD BOX

A 3-year-old girl was punished for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Her tiny fingers could not manage the paper and tape. She had hoped to conceal the small box with the beautiful paper.

Money was tight, and her father became frustrated when the child tried to decorate a box to put it under their Christmas tree. Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, "This is for you daddy." He was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction.

He opened the package and found that the box was empty. Without thinking he protested, "Don't you know that when you give someone a present, there's supposed to be something inside of it?" The little girl looked up at him her eyes full of tears and said, "Oh daddy, it's not empty. I blew kisses into the box. All for you Daddy." The father was crushed.

He put his arms around his little girl, and again begged her forgiveness. He kept that gold box by his bed for years. Whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.

In a very real sense, each of us as parents has been given a gold container filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children. No more precious possession could anyone hold...

Edible Cornucopias

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Edible Cornucopia favors for Thanksgiving
A very simple and fun treat and kids will enjoy helping.
1. Melt chocolate chips in microwave oven or double boiling pan.
2. Dip the wide opening of a sugar (dark) ice cream cone about halfway into the melted chocolate chips, set on wax paper to cool.
3. Fill with candy (maybe save some candy corn from Halloween?)
4. Also put a little paper inside, asking guests to think of what they are thankful for. Then have volunteers share.
Variation: Use as placeholder at the table
Prepare place cards ahead of time. Then, spoon some melted chocolate chips on side of cone, then quickly stick card into mixture, hold card up until chocolate chips cool enough to hold it alone. Variation: instead of writing names on cards, just get a cute sticker and write, "Give thanks" or something like that

Party Games

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Who am I?
Pick a category such as cartoon characters, movie stars, vegetables, etc. Pin the name of one of these items on the back of each guest as they arrive. Tell them that they need to find out who they are by asking other people for help.
The rules are:
1. ask yes or no questions only
2. answer yes or no questions
3. no removing your own name tag to find out. If you ask, anyone will help you find out your identity.
If you need people seated or grouped up this may be a good way to do it. Have place cards at the seat of each item. Or have a few different categories of item to guess. Then when it comes time to group up have the cartoon characters go here, vegetables there, etc.

Musical Chairs
The old favorite. With one fewer chairs than people, a short snippet of music is played while the people move around the room. When the music stops everyone tries to sit on a vacant chair. (Only ONE person per chair) The person who doesn't find a chair is out. One chair is taken away and the game continues until only one person (The Winner) is left.

Birthday Present Game
Materials:
· 1 Pair of Gloves
· 1 Hat
· 1 Die (perhaps two dice if group is large)
· A Prize wrapped in several layers of newspaper and boxes.
· The group stands in a circle. The gloves, hat, and wrapped box are placed in the center. someone begins by rolling the dice. If they roll a 6, they hurry into the middle and put on the gloves and hat. They then start to unwrap the package. They must move fast because the next person to roll a 6 takes the hat off of the person in the center. The person in the center stops immediately and takes off the gloves, gives them to that person, and he/she goes back to the circle. The game continues like this until the package is completely unwrapped and the last person
·
· Sticker Stalker - When guests begin to arrive at your house, give each guest a pack/sheet of 10 stickers. The object of this game is to get rid of all your stickers by sticking them on the other guests (One sticker per guest). However, if the guest you are "stickering" catches you, he/she gets to stick one of his/her stickers on you. If you are "caught", you must temporarily take your sticker back, and you can try to sticker that same person later (at your own risk). But if someone falsely accuses you of "stickering" him/her, then you can automatically put one of your stickers on that person. The first one to get rid of all 10 of their original stickers is the winner!
receives their prize. It's really noisy and incredibly fun!

· Sign My Arm - No, this is not a game like "Pull My Finger"! Give all of your guests a marker, and have everyone at the party put a paper bag over their signing hand (arm). When the host/hostess says, "Go," then everyone in the room must obtain as many signatures as they can. It isn't as easy as it sounds though, because each person has to keep the paper bag on their signing hand (so they must sign with the opposite hand). At the end of 5 minutes, the person with the most signatures is the winner!

Autumn Cheese Platter

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Fall Cheese PlatterYour family and friends will fall for this spectacular cheese platter--and making it takes so little extra time! You can find more easy recipes like this in the Betty Crocker® Holiday Easy Entertaining recipe magazine, available October 8, 2002, at a supermarket near you.Click here to see Betty's Tips and moreTotal: 25 min Prep: 25 min Makes 12 servings

Apple-Cranberry Chutney (below)
16 slices (1 ounce each) assorted cheeses, such as Cheddar, Colby-Monterey Jack, Monterey Jack with jalapeño peppers and Swiss
1/4 cup hazelnuts, (filberts)
Crackers
Double recipe or Halve recipe (Learn more about scaling recipes)
1. Make Apple-Cranberry Chutney.

2. Cut cheese with 1-, 1 1/2- and 2-inch leaf-shaped cookie cutters.

3. Place cheese on medium platter, overlapping leaves. Sprinkle hazelnuts on platter to look like acorns. Serve with chutney and crackers.

Hot Chocolate

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Hot Chocolate

6 cups milk1/2 cup sugar3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped 2 beaten eggs2 teaspoons vanillawhipped cream

Directions
1 In a large saucepan combine 1 cup of the milk, the
sugar, chocolate. Cook and stir over medium-low
heat until chocolate is melted. Gradually stir in remaining
milk. Cook and stir until milk is very hot, almost boiling.
Do not boil.
2 Gradually stir 1 cup of the hot milk mixture into eggs,
then transfer entire mixture to saucepan. Cook and stir for
2 minutes over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in
vanilla. Beat with a rotary beater until very frothy.
3 Pour hot chocolate into mugs and dollop with whipped cream
Add cinnamon to chocolate for Mexican chocolate or use raspberry or cinnamon chips. Stir with candy cane for mint flavor

Candy Cane Bath Salts

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Materials and Supplies for Candy Cane Bath Salts:12 tall jelly (12-ounce) canning jars with lid and rings2 4-pound cartons Epsom Salts (approximately 16 cups)4 pounds sea salt or Kosher salt (approximately 6 cups)1/2 teaspoon glycerin, divided12 to 15 drops peppermint essential oil12 to 15 drops red food color3 pieces cardstock (for tags) Instructions: Wash, rinse and dry canning jars.Empty one carton Epsom Salts into large mixing bowl or batter bowl. Add 3 cups sea salt, stir well. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon glycerin and 6 to 8 drops essential oil. Mix well.In second large mixing bowl, empty one carton Epsom Salts, and add 3 cups sea salt. Stir well. Add 1/4 teaspoon glycerin, 6 to 8 drops essential oil, and food color. Stir until completely blended. Color should be even.CEO's tip: use a heavy-duty stand mixer (such as Kitchenaid-brand) to mix bath salts easily. Set mixer to lowest setting and mix until color is even--but don't try this with hand mixers or smaller stand mixers!Holding canning jars at an angle, layer salts in jars, alternating white and colored mixtures. Print three copies of Candy Cane Bath Salts gift tag.Cut gift tags apart and attach to jars. Tags may be trimmed and placed beneath canning jar rings, tied on with ribbon, or taped to gift jars.CEO tip: decorative canning jar lids add presentation punch for a small price! Try red or green gingham lids for Candy Cane Bath Salts, while Peach lids add a designer touch to Peaches 'n Cream Bath Salts. Find decorative canning jar lids in the canning section of the supermarket.This recipe makes 12 12-ounce gift jars, plus a bonus of 3 to 4 cups extra bath salts. Package them in small plastic zipper craft bags for easy stocking stuffers! Makes 12 gift jars.

Random Holiday ideas

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Decorate your bushes and trees for the birds. String popcorn and cranberries together for beautiful garlands. Make pinecone hangers by spreading lard on the cone and dipping in birdseed.

To store wrapping paper on rolls... I cover the tube with a piece of hosiery. Cut the foot and the top off and slip over the entire tube. You can secure the ends with twist ties or bread wrapper tabs or use a toilet paper roll or paper towel roll cut for opening and wrap around paper

Put up lights and outdoor decorations before it gets too cold and wet.

Use gingerbread, ribbon, popcorn, candy canes, paper dolls, paper chains, and paper snowflakes as tree ornaments

Seasonal Themed scrapbooks, pages of your holiday celebrations and seasonal fun set out to enjoy.

Autumn/Thanksgiving decorations

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PUMPKIN VASE

Pumpkins wear many hats this time of year, appearing in pies and soups as well as in centerpieces. Here's another use: Transform one into a colorful homemade vase.

1. Begin by selecting as round a pumpkin as you can find. Cut off the top, and scoop out the inside pulp and seeds (reserve the seeds for a batch of Sweet and Spicy Pumpkin Seeds). Inside the pumpkin, place a plastic paint bucket or any plastic container that fits easily.

2. Place a cube of Oasis floral foam inside the container, thinning it to fit. Press the foam down to make it level, and drench it with water (enough so that a small pool collects at the bottom of the container). Arrange seasonal flowers, dried leaves, and berries as desired—we used lady's mantle, dahlias, maple leaves, and hypericum berries. Martha Stewart

Pumpkin Candle Sticks – remove stem of small pumpkin make space for candle using melon baler or spoon. Taper candles look especially nice.

Edible Gifts

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Truffles
Truffles are one of my favorite things to make as treats or presents. I use the Betty Crocker recipe that follows. It makes about 16 candies. I usually make lots. J Extras never hurt. If you want to go the extra mile there are instructions on how to make a truffle topiary on the Betty Crocker web site.
6 ounces semisweet baking chocolate or white baking bars (white chocolate), chopped
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/4 cup whipping (heavy) cream
1 tablespoon shortening
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet or milk chocolate chips or white baking chips
Finely chopped nuts or candy decorations, if desired

1. Cover cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Melt baking chocolate in heavy 2-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly; remove from heat. Stir in butter until melted; stir in whipping cream. Refrigerate 10 to 15 minutes, stirring frequently, just until thick enough to hold a shape.

2. Drop mixture by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet. Shape into balls. (If mixture is too sticky, refrigerate until firm enough to shape.) Freeze 30 minutes.

3. Heat shortening and chocolate chips over low heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth; remove from heat. Dip truffles, one at a time, into chocolate. Place on aluminum foil-covered cookie sheet. Immediately sprinkle some of the truffles with finely chopped nuts or decorating candies.

4. Refrigerate truffles about 10 minutes or until coating is set. Drizzle some of the truffles with mixture of 1/4 cup powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon milk. Refrigerate just until set. Serve at room temperature. Store in airtight container.

Lickety-Split Spoons (Betty Crocker)1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, white baking chips or mint-chocolate chips
2. to 24 gold- or silver-colored plastic spoons
Candy decorations, crushed hard peppermint candies, miniature candy-coated chocolate chips or coarse sugar crystals (decorating sugar), if desired

1. Melt chocolate in heavy 1-quart saucepan over lowest possible heat, stirring constantly.
2. Dip spoons into melted chocolate, coating only the bowl of each spoon. Sprinkle with candy decorations. Place spoons on waxed paper until chocolate is set.
3. Wrap spoons in plastic wrap or cellophane.

FREEZING MUFFINS,BREADS AND CAKES

Wrap unfrosted items in heavy-duty aluminum foil, plastic wrap ot plastic bags. Label, date and freeze for up to 4 months. Thaw at room temperature for 1 hour. Reheat your muffins and breads for just-baked flavor.

Freeze frosted cakes on a piece of heavy cardboard or a cookie sheet. When firm, wrap in heavy-duty aluminum foil, plastic wrap or plastic bag. Label, date and freeze for up to 3 months.

Remove the wrapping while your cake is still frozen, so the frosting doesn't smear. Thaw at room temperature for 2 hours.

Glaze breads and muffins only after they have thawed.

FREEZING COOKIES

Both cookie dough and baked cookies can be frozen and stored for 9 to 12 months.

Baked cookies should be frozen in a strong box lined with plastic wrap ot foil. Separate each layer with more wrap or foil; thaw the cookies at room temperature for 10 minutes.

Cookie dough may be frozen in foil or plastic wrap.

Drop-cookie dough should be thawed until just soft enough to use.

Refrigerator-cookie rolls should be thawed just enough to slice.

Rolled cookies can be frozen already shaped. Place them, still frozen, on cookie sheets.

Freeze bar-cookie dough in the pan in which it is to be baked. Cover with plastic wrap, then foil.

Thanksgiving Blessing Mix

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Blessing Mix

Bugles Pretzels Candy Corn Dried Fruit Sunflower Seeds & Nuts Goldfish M&Ms
Bugles shaped like a cornucopia, the horn of plenty
Pretzels symbolizes our arms folded in thanks and prayer
Candy Corn During the first winter, the pilgrims were each allotted 5 kernels of corn per day because food was so scarce.
Dried Fruit Thanksgiving is the celebration of the harvest
Sunflower seeds Seeds represent the potential of a bounteous harvest for the next season if they're planted and well tended.
Fish Native American taught the pilgrims that a fish planted with seeds would grow healthy crops M&Ms Memories of those who came before us to guide us to a blessed future.
"And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; "Always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive." Alma 7:23

Bath recipes

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Bath salts Bath Fizz
¾ cup Epsom salts ½ cup baking soda
¼ cup baking soda 1/8 cup cornstarch
1 ½ cup sea salt 20 drops essential oil
1 t scent 1/8 cup citric acid
coloring

milk bath Shave soap
1 cup dry buttermilk 1 bar unscented glycerin
¾ cup salt 1 T mineral oil
½ cup baking soda 10 drops sandalwood

Heavy Cream
½ cup petroleum jelly
1 T bee’s wax
¼ cup distilled water
½ t borax
5drops oil
1drop food coloring

vintage moisturizing tonic
½ cup rose water
¼ cup dist water
¼ cup glycerin
spray bottle

lip balm
1 1/2 t cocoa butter
1 ½ t bee’s wax grated
5drops flavoring

Cards and Budget Gifts

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http://www.make-stuff.com/hollidays/christmas.htmlGIVING WITHOUT GRIEVING CHRISTMAS ON A BUDGET
Make a list and keep track of what you’ve bought and who you have bought for you may even want to set a budget. Speak with family about spending. Set a limit or talk about homemade gifts. You can even make treats for each other instead of making gifts or you could do a family craft. The gift of service is a wonderful way to give and to help those you love. For example, clean their dishes, watch their kids, do a chore that they have been avoiding, buy them tickets to a show and watch their kids etc etc.
For those just starting out on their own. Write some recipes on 3x5 cards and add a gift certificate to a main grocery store. All tied with a pretty bow, it is cheaper to mail then food baskets. You could clip those coupons and add those to the pile to make the perfect gift that will most definitely be appreciated!
For those who like a little gourmet, but can't afford it, place a dry clean vanilla bean in a mason jar. Cover with sugar. In a few weeks, the sugar will be flavored vanilla. Note* the bean can be used for years be sure the receiver of this gift understands all they need to do is refill the sugar and shake occasionally for a few weeks.
A quillow, quilt/pillow easy to make and uses inexpensive materials.
A teepee for the kids is fun, inexpensive and fairly easy to make.
Misc Ideas
A photo album of a trip you took together with short stories
A photograph of a special moment framed
Handmade greeting cards ;-)
A rare ornament for the tree
Homemade or bought candles w/ ribbon or some other nice touch
Souvenirs from vacations or from your hometown
Special book or CD, Make a CD with special music
A Handmade pillow
Homemade cookies, jelly, syrup, vinegar etc
Collage in a frame

www.christmasmagazine.com/english/mc/cards.asp
Cute ideas for neighbors/friends gifts, such as, cookies in a jar etc.
http://www.angelfire.com/mac/crafts/christmas.html
Kids Crafts Thanksgiving http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/thanksgiving/ & Christmas http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/christmas/
http://www.womansday.com/xp6/WomansDay/crafts.xml/christmas_coming1.xml
http://www.tipztime.com/xmastipz2.html
http://www.debbiemumm.com/potm/02/october/crafts/octoberpotmcrafts.asp
http://www.make-stuff.com/hollidays/christmas.html
Use holiday fabric or just fabric and fusible webbing and you can make a variety of cards by gluing (fusing) fabric to card stock.
http://www.quiltersnewsletter.com/qnm/feature9.htm
Cards that double as ornaments
EASY!!!!!
Print these cards out and have kids color, sticker, paint etc then sign and your done.
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/7134/Christmas/chrcards.htm
Ribbon Cards
Scraps of paper and satin ribbons decorate easy-to-make cards and tree ornaments.

Lasting Impressions Print cards using foam food tray to create image then apply ink to print bhg.com

Christmas letter ideas
Before you close the envelope:
Write a draft, Consider why you are writing, Write your Christmas mail with a positive spirit, Don’t Brag, Keep it short and interesting, Watch your penmanship and spelling, Sign your card and put your address on the back of the envelope
Don’t refer to yourself by your first name. Use I or me. It is confusing who is speaking through the letter otherwise.
Create the mood when writing, put on some Christmas music, drink some holiday cocoa or cider, light some yummy candles. Get in the spirit.
www.christmasmagazine.com/english/mc/cards.asp
Re-using old cards
Scrapbooking! - old cards to go along with the picures in scrapbook You can either cut out small portions and pictures from the cards or use the card in whole to go along with the pictures on your scrapbook page.
Make Postcards - Cut apart the front and back and keep the front (picture). Turn the card over so you're looking at the back of the picture. Using a ruler, draw a line dividing the back of the front card piece across the narrow side. On the left side write a message; on the right side address it and you have made a postcard (and cheaper to mail!) You could also use stamps for your message. I make a small note where the postage stamp goes telling me who sent it so I don't return it to the same person next year or you could return it to the same person.
Use as Gift Package Tags - I have always used my old cards as next years gift tags. Just cut out what looks like would make a pretty tag, punch a hole in the top with a paper-punch, and use a ribbon to attach to the gift. Sometimes you can get multiple tags from one card. Some are so pretty, I use the whole front of the card as a tag for larger gifts. Hope this helps! I haven't bought gift tags for years now and always get compliments on the originality of my tags
Package Decoration - Recycle paper bags too! Use the brown paper bag or newspaper as your wrapping paper. Cut out pictures from old Christmas cards and glue onto packages. This is a great (and cheap) way to pretty up plain paper!
Use for Decoupage - Cut out pictures and use to decoupage onto small boxes, frames, tables, etc. I got some old wooden trays at yard sales, and took my favorite cards and decoupaged them to the trays. I have one for Christmas, Thanksgiving and one for a Birthday theme. Some of the trays have sides and I can get glass cut to fit to place inside the tray which will protect the cards. If your trays don’t have sides make sure you seal the cards with decoupage glue or polyurethane to protect them.
Make NEW Cards - You can use old cards for your cards for all your occasion. Just cut your card ( keep the picture) Take construction paper any color- fold in half. Paste your picture on your card on the paper. Then use writing paper or typing paper-cut to fit your card. In the crease of your white paper and the construction paper-make to slits, use any color of ribbon-pull through-then tied it a bow. I always recycle my Xmas cards- just use red,gold,green ribbon. My cousin taught me how to make my Xmas cards. And she's 98yrs old. So get busy with making your Xmas Card for 1999!!!!!
Keep all those Christmas cards and reuse them! If the area on the other side of the picture or decoration hasn't been written on, cut them in half at the crease and write thank yous in the format of a post card. Using post card postage will also save you a few pennies
Greeting Card Place Mats
Cut out pictures, greeting, signatures and make a placemat. Arrange materials on sticky side of clear contact paper. Place a similar sized piece over the top and you have a holiday placemat that is personal.
Card ideas
http://www.thestampingstudio.com/new/projects/index.htm
http://www.cardinspirations-usa.com/demo/demo10.htm
http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e01656

6 steps to a guilt free no

2009-12-04T11:29:00.001-08:00

Here are six steps toward a guilt-free "no":
· Explore Your Motives – Why do you continue to say yes, even when you’re overextended? For some, it’s the need to be needed. If this is the case, make a checklist of the people who need you and the things you need to do already. This will remind you of what will suffer if you say yes to an additional project.
· Practice, Practice, Practice – Practice doesn’t only make perfect; it makes habit. Practice saying no – to your kids, your spouse, even your reflection in the mirror. Then try it with strangers, starting with those pushy telemarketers. After some practice, you’ll be surprised how much easier that “no” will come, especially when you’re put on the spot.
· Stop Hesitating – She who hesitates often finds herself stretched to the limit. If you know you can’t do something, let the person making the request know as soon as possible. “Maybe” isn’t good enough. A definite “no” will make you feel free immediately (and will also give the person more time to find someone else!).
· Delegate – If you can’t do something, why not suggest someone who can? Or, if you find a project irresistible, delegate some of your “everyday” responsibilities to your spouse and children so you can give your time without guilt.
· No Now, Yes Later – Remember that “no” isn’t forever. In some cases, it may just mean “not now.” If you’re particularly busy when a request is made, say so and add that you’d be happy to help out later when your schedule isn’t quite so full.
· Define What You Can Do – The PTA may ask you to bake 10 dozen cookies, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t be happy with five dozen or even with a donation of punch. If you’re interested in helping out, but unable to fulfill a particular request, let the requestor know what you CAN do. Then he can decide if your help – on your terms – is still necessary.

Simple ways to plan ahead for the holidays

2009-12-04T11:27:00.000-08:00

10 WAYS TO PLAN AHEAD FOR THE HOLIDAYS (SIMPLY!)
1) Make a Pre-Season "To Do" List. (HINT: Save a copy for next year.)

2) Note when you'd like to have each task done. Avoid last-minute pressure.

3) Browse catalogs early, plan crafts projects,address cards,while you watch TV.

4) Ask for Help. If you have guests, everybody brings part of the meal--it actually makes us feel more a part of things.

5) Wrap-as-you-shop. Don't wait 'til the last minute. Better yet: shop at stores that wrap for you!

6) Swap baby-sitting with friends to get shopping done,"hands-free." (Be sure to buy yourself a little present, and a treat for the sitter!)

7) Creative surprises are wonderful, but ASKing what people want can make shopping easier. It's fun to know we're giving just what they really want.

8) Consider taking advantage of after-holiday sales. Perhaps wrap up a picture of the item or a toy version in a fancy box with an I.O.U. to buy it when it's on sale. (Write yourself a note to do it.)

9) Jan.'02 start a next-holidays savings account to auto-transfer a little in each week. Little by little, you'll make next December so much easier.

10)Take a look at "Stress-Buster Gift Ideas" below for loved ones near, or who may be far away.

Holiday Stress relief

2009-12-04T11:26:00.000-08:00

Stress Relievers Have Good Posture (make changes if needed) Support Your Back Take Regular Breaks From Activities Exercise Regularly Adopt Health Eating Habits Take Deep Breaths Prioritize Your Tasks (make a check off list) Smile a Lot Close Your Eyes and Relax a few minutes Take a Walk Hum, Whistle or Sing Set Realistic Goals Learn to Visualize Yourself in a Relaxed Setting Laugh Often Find Something Good/Fun in Everything You Do Avoid Distractions (focus on the problem) Verbalize Your Feelings (talk to others) Adopt a Positive Attitude
(surround yourself with positive thinking people) Ask for Help
(be willing to work with others) Participate in Activities to Relax
(work out the frustration) Relax - Enjoy Life - Be Happy !!!
Follow the example of those in the Christmas story
Shepards: kept watch over their flocks & were blessed for doing so.
Angels: Sing and rejoice
Wise Men: Brought gifts that had meaning and resembled who they were.
Mary & Joseph: Traveled a long journey and met difficulties with a sense of duty and focus. They were thankful even though things were difficult. They didn’t complain and focused on what they had.
Jesus: Was himself.

More Diligent and Concerned at Home

2009-11-29T16:27:00.000-08:00

Elder Bednar's talk

My Relief Society lesson went well. I ran short on time and paraphrased the last bit. ;)

Put a piece of string on your coat/jacket.

I. What are some gifts from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to you?
(5 minutes)

(may include the following..)
Jesus Christ
Eternal Life
The Atonement
Eternal Families
Holy Spirit
Prayer
Scriptures/Word of God
The Priesthood
The Relief Society Sisterhood
The Commandments
Covenants
The Temple
Heaven and Earth
Our Bodies
Peace
Hope
The United States of America
Agency – Choice
Teachers Growth
Service
Opportunity to bear children and raise them in righteousness
Talents
teachers, counselors,

II. Gifts to give
Display the gift bag.

“What can I give him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd,
I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man,
I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give him—
Give my heart.”

Elder Bednar’s Conference talk More Diligent and Concerned at Home presents what gifts we may humbly offer the Savior.
Divide into 4 groups each group gets a wish list to complete for gifts to give the Savior.
Give 10 minutes to complete have each group present in the following order…
A. Expressing and showing love

“Our love of and for the Lord is evidenced by walking ever in His ways (see Deuteronomy 19:9), so our love for” others, “spouse, parents, and children is reflected most powerfully in our thoughts, our words, and our deeds (see Mosiah 4:30)”. (Bednar)

1. Thoughts
What thoughts evidence our walking in His way in our homes?
(possible ideas…)
Praying
Looking for the best in people
Concern
Turning away from wrath
Turning from gossip and judgment
Positive thoughts
Appropriate language
Pure and honest thoughts
Christ focused
Reverence
Scripture study
Any to add?
What was your group’s scripture or thought about the gift of loving thoughts?
“Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God” (D&C 121:45).
“We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things” (Articles of Faith 1:13).
Thank you

2. Words
What words, speech, language evidence our walking in His way in our homes?
(possible answers…)
Speaking in kind tones/words (only yell if the house is on fire)
Common Courtesy (please, thank you etc to your children, spouse, to all)
If you can’t say anything nice…
Avoiding gossip and other harmful speech
Honest
Loving
Righteous
True
Humble
Do as I say Do as I do
Scripture Study
Prayer
Conscientious of how we speak of others and their doings, family, church members, people at work etc
Music
Media
Any to add?
What was your group’s scripture or thought about the gift of loving words?
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh” (Luke 6:45).
“Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man” (Matthew 15:11).
A aSoft banswer turneth away cwrath: but grievous words stir up anger. Proverbs 15:1
…he that brefraineth his lips is wise. Proverbs 10:19
Even a fool, when he aholdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that bshutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. Prov. 17: 28
O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. Psalm 51:15

Thank you

3. Deeds
What deeds evidence our walking in His way in our homes?
(possible answers)
a broken hear and a contrite spirit
service (in the home, in the neighborhood)
keeping the Sabbath holy
keeping the spirit of the Sabbath as you prepare for church
attending church meetings
playing
affection
scheduling time together/ making each other a priority
Wholesome recreational activities
Appropriate music/television/computer use
Family Home Evening
Scripture Study
Prayer
Temple Worship
Any other ideas?
What was your group’s scripture or thought about the gift of loving deeds?
For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. Romans 2:13
Not every one that asaith unto me, bLord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that cdoeth the dwill of my Father which is in eheaven. Matt 7:21

Thank you

B. Testimony
We should both create and look for opportunities to bear testimony of gospel truths—and live them.
Ideas for creating and looking for opportunities to share our testimonies in our homes.
(possible ideas)
Family Home Evening
Share what you enjoyed about church
Mealtime chats share something you learned/something you prayed about etc.
Music, television, computer, magazines etc
When something moves you or you feel the spirit share it with your family
Talk about Conference

What scripture or thought would you like to share about the gift of sharing testimony?
Job 19:25 For I aknow that my bredeemer liveth, and that che shall dstand at the latter day upon the earth:
Tim 1:8 Be not thou therefore aashamed of the btestimony of our Lord…
Mosiah 18:9 …stand as cwitnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the dfirst resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—
Ether 4:11 But he that abelieveth these things which I have spoken, him will I visit with the manifestations of my Spirit, and he shall bknow and bear record. For because of my Spirit he shall cknow that these things are dtrue; for it persuadeth men to do good.

Thank you

C. Constancy
Steadfastness, as in purpose or affection; faithfulness, having a resolute mind, freedom from variation, stability, this is constancy and Elder Bednar warns we need to have more of it. Let us look at the gifts of sharing testimony, loving thoughts, words and deeds and think of good habits that will demonstrate our constancy our faithfulness in these gifts.

1. What good habits evidence we are walking in the Lord’s footsteps in our home? (5 minutes)
List on left side of wish list.
(possibilities include..)
Prayer
Scripture Study
Temple Attendance
Meetings
FHE
Visiting Teaching
Follow the Prophet

2. How have you had success making these habits?
(possibilities include…)
Prayer - if you brush your teeth twice a day you can remember to pray twice a day. toothbrush reminder
Scriptures –set a time and stick to it. Read on line before you check your e-mail.
FHE - Dessert only at FHE & no other time during the week it’s healthy and it really motivates!
FHE plan on Sunday
Goals – Rewards
Linking to other day to day activities
Scheduling time for them - writing it down
Visiting teaching first part of the month – make it a priority
These are not chores. They can be as fun as you make them and they can bless you & others when you do them. Keep it simple. Keep it fun. Live your priorities.

Hold up wheat field picture
Elder Bednar, in his talk, refers to a painting of a wheat field in his office. The painting is composed of single strokes of yellow, brown and gold paint. Each stroke does not seem remarkable in itself but each stroke when we take a step back blends into a beautiful painting. Each step we walk in His way makes a difference.
Turn over and read--.
We sow our (thoughts), we reap our (actions)
We sow our (actions), we reap our (habits)
We sow our (habits), we reap our (character)
We sow our (character), we reap our (destiny)

Please look over our lists of ways we can walk in the Lord’s footsteps & Choose one or a few that challenge you to work on as a give gift to Christ. Write your goal on the back of your bookmark.

II. Hypocrisy
What is hypocrisy?
A lie, pretending, deceit, ie pretending to be virtuous but not doing what is virtuous.

How can you tell the difference between a hypocrite and a disciple of Christ?
By what they do
Romans 2:13 For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

The hypocrisy in our lives is most readily discerned and causes the greatest destruction within our own homes. We might have a thread on our jacket and who is most likely to notice it? Someone in our home, a spouse, a parent, a child. Children are very observant, quick to see and quick to report. As Elder Bednar says, “children often are the most alert and sensitive when it comes to recognizing hypocrisy. A public statement of love when the private actions of love are absent at home is hypocrisy—and weakens the foundation of a great work. Publicly declaring testimony when faithfulness and obedience are missing within our own homes is hypocrisy—and undermines the foundation of a great work. The commandment “Thou shalt not bear false witness” (Exodus 20:16) applies most pointedly to the hypocrite in each of us. We need to be and become more consistent.”

This thread represents the flaxen cords with which the adversary gains control of us to lead us away. (2Nephi26:22) Flax is among the most fragile of natural fibers. Lucifer leads us by the neck with something so fragile and easy to break because it is that. Our certainty of our ability to escape at any time encourages us to persist in ways that lead us from safety into danger. And those threads and flaxen cords unobserved and quietly increasing, may finally become strong cords that bind us forever.

As President Eyring says. “There is a danger in the word someday when what it means is “not this day.” “Someday I will repent.” “Someday I will forgive him.” “Someday I will speak to my friend about the Church.” “Someday I will start to pay tithing.” “Someday I will return to the temple.” “Someday …” The scriptures make the danger of delay clear. It is that we may discover that we have run out of time. …The thought “Someday I will” can be a thief of the opportunities of time and the blessings of eternity.

Let us not become complaisant thinking there is plenty of time or thinking we “deserve” a rest. These are flaxen cords. Let us not feel overwhelmed thinking there is too much to do but instead asking the Lord what can I do with thy help?

These advent candles are a small Christmas gift from me to you. Each day read the scripture on your bookmark, work on your goal and burn the candle down one mark until Christmas. As you do you will enjoy the spirit of Christmas, the spirit of Christ.

Rely on the strength of the Lord and walk closer to Christ. Do not delay the blessing of knowing and serving Him.
Today, show and express love in thought, word and deed.
Today, create and look for opportunities to testify of Jesus Christ.
Today, be constant in doing what you know is true. Be not hypocrites. Do as a disciple of Christ.
Today, take upon you His name and walk in His ways at home and in the world.
Choose ye this day whom ye will serve and keep up the good work.
Today is a gift that is why it is called the present. It is a present from a loving Father in Heaven and His son Jesus Christ who will sustain you.
I leave you my testimony that each day is an opportunity to come unto Christ, a brush stroke to compliment a life’s work. When our life’s work is done may we step back as the artist to reveal life’s true beauty found in serving Christ.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

meals

2009-11-29T10:10:00.000-08:00

10 meals planned ~ some of these recipes call for more obscure/expensive ingredients. I did some substitutions. ;)

Slow cooker cranberry roast spinach salad apple slices

Black Bean Stoup and Monte Cristo sandwiches

Red Beans & Rice Cornbread Zatarans with extra kidney beans & Jiffy cornbread

Curry carrots, potatoes & TJ’s yellow Thai curry sauce over Jasmine rice

Breakfast for Dinner Heather’s Pancakes, bacon & eggs

Carbonara

Squash and white bean soup with parmesan biscuits

Ham and cheese turnovers and squash soup (Trader Joe's)

Lemon Chamomile Shortbread cookies

Healthy Banana cookies

FHE/Advent Candles

2009-11-29T10:03:00.000-08:00

Advent Candle starts December 1st. This is a wonderful spiritually strengthening Christmas tradition I hope you enjoy it.

Advent Candles with LDS scriptures

Daily advent lessons

Christmas FHE

Lesson 45: Jesus Had a Family

Opening Song: “I Believe In Christ”

Opening Prayer

Family Business:

Scripture or Testimony: Luke 2:52

Lesson: “Jesus Grew Up in a Righteous Family,” Friend, Dec 2004, 17
And whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me; for good cometh of none save it be of me. … I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world (Ether 4:12).
Heavenly Father gives us parents and families to teach us righteous principles so we can return to Heavenly Father and live with our families forever. Heavenly Father planned for Jesus Christ to be born into a family, too. Jesus had righteous parents on earth to take care of and teach Him.
Before Jesus was born, an angel came to His mother, Mary. The angel told her that she would have a son and that she should call Him Jesus. He would be the Son of God. The angel told her, “The Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women” (Luke 1:28). Mary told the angel that she would do as she was commanded: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38).
The angel also appeared to Joseph. The angel told him that Mary would have a son, that His name would be Jesus, and that He would be the Son of God. The angel told Joseph that Jesus would save His people from their sins (see Matt. 1:20–21).
Mary and Joseph had faith. They did what they were commanded to do. When we remember Jesus Christ and follow His example and the example of Mary and Joseph, our families will be blessed.
Activity: Make copies of the picture for your family. Color the pictures, then roll them up to look like scrolls. Tie a ribbon around each one and give them to people who have helped your family this year (for example, a neighbor, a grandparent, or your bishop or branch president).

Closing Prayer

Treat

Be an Example

2009-11-23T15:08:00.000-08:00

Be an Example

Opening Song: “Do As I’m Doing” (CS, page 276)

Opening Prayer

Family Business:

Scripture or Testimony: Matthew 5:14-15

Lesson: What did you walk on as you came into FHE? Explain that we all leave footprints as we travel through life. Sometimes we follow in someone else’s footsteps and try to do as they do. But others are watching us, and they may try to follow in our footsteps. Everything we do leaves an impression on someone, just as our step would leave a footprint in soft ground. When we do something good, we set a good example for others; when we do something wrong, we set a bad example.
Karen Ashton, “Sharing Time: My Heroes and Heroines,” Friend, Aug 1997, 35
Do you have a hero or heroine that you look up to?
A hero is a boy or man who has shown great courage, ability, or bravery, and who has a noble and Christlike character. A heroine is a girl or woman with the same qualities.
You choose your heroes and heroines because you want to be like them. It is important that we choose people who are righteous and trying to live the gospel to be our heroes and heroines. This choice is very personal and private. Following a righteous hero or heroine’s example can help you choose the right and return to your Heavenly Father. Parents are often our heroes and heroines. They love us and teach us. They give their time to help us understand right from wrong. Besides doing the ordinary, everyday jobs to help our families, parents often make sacrifices that take great courage and faith. We can watch our parents and try to do the good things we see them do.
Heavenly Father has chosen living prophets to lead and guide us. They have been tested by Heavenly Father, and they have followed Jesus Christ and obeyed the commandments. Their lives are examples of choosing the right. The prophets can be heroes to us. There are many heroes and heroines in the scriptures. As we read about them, we grow to admire the courage of those who served the Lord in the past. We want to be like them. They can be our heroes and heroines.
We are blessed by the example of righteous leaders and teachers who love the Lord and have testimonies of the Gospel. They can be our heroes and heroines.
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Heavenly King, is our greatest example. He is always obedient to His Heavenly Father. He lived a life full of love and sacrifice for others. We want to be like Jesus Christ.

How can you be a good example? Who do you think watches you? Do you think you are someone’s hero? You never know who is watching you and what they think about you…you are a hero and an example to all of those around you.
Activity:
1. Give family members each a piece of paper and a pencil and have them trace their own footprint. Have them name traits they would like to develop so they can set good examples for others. Have them choose one, or more, they want to work on and write it on their footprint.
2. Who set a perfect example for us? If available, show pictures of Jesus Christ helping others and discuss how we can follow his example. Or invite family members to each choose an incident from the Savior’s life and talk about what we can learn from it that will help us set good examples for others.
Closing Prayer

Treat

but what about socialization part II

2009-11-11T08:09:00.000-08:00

A woman lived on a busy street. Throughout the day she'd hear horns honking, people speeding by and all other sorts of nose that would bug her. She would complain each time. Why are those people driving so fast? Why are those people so discourteous with their horns? Then one day an idea came to her. Every time someone went by that annoyed her she would bless them. Someone sped by she'd say "May you be blessed with patience" Someone blared their horn, "may you be blessed with temperance". After engaging in this exercise for a time she found her attitude toward the people who had annoyed her changed. She no longer thought of them in anger. She thought of them as people who had challenges and needed a blessing.

We betray our deficiency at moments like these. Say a little prayer for them & yourself. It hopefully will free you from annoyance and might help you both.

So for the "socialization" people. I pray they will be blessed with greater empathy for others, humility and discretion and for myself I pray I will have more temperance for people who do not understand.

I can't talk about socialization right now I'm on the way to girl scouts. ;)

but what about socialization?

2009-11-10T08:50:00.000-08:00

When choosing homeschooling I explored the many concerns and challenges and this seems to be the one that sticks for people who do not homeschool but what about socialization.

Research on homeschooling is quiet positive. The most important thing is parent involvement whether you homeschool, public school or private school. There are good and bad homeschoolers just like there are good and bad public schools and parents. I shouldn't let it bug me that people who do not do their research like to spout their prophetic statements like, "Your child will be different" YEAH! I hope so. "Your child won't fit in". Oh she doesn't know who Hannah Montana is what a social deviant! but occasionally I get annoyed. It is a lot of work homeschooling and we should be supporting one another not passing judgment on choices we don't fully understand.

If you'd like to check out some research on homeschooling here is a link.

So in short I've done my work, I've prayed about our choice and if you're not comfortable with it that is your problem.

I'm a fan of sarcasm and sometimes it's a challenge to grin and bear peoples uneducated judgments. I thought this mom's article about being socially challenged was a nice treat for those of us who hear these things all too often.

I was recently in a checkout line and the clerk asked if my kids were home schooled. When I answered "yes", he responded as any caring citizen concerned about the social welfare of my children would, and asked, "aren't you worried about them not getting enough socialization?" The "socialization" question seems to be the old-standby, passive aggressive attack, by those outside spectators of the homeschool movement. How would my children be able to integrate into society, without first learning the valuable "social skills" that only a public school experience could provide? After all, the socialization part of a typical day-in-the-life of a home schooled child, looks nothing like the government school experience. Many homeschoolers spend their day doing things such as; helping out with family business', running errands, going on field trips, visiting relatives and friends, doing odd jobs for neighbors and partaking in family responsibilities. As the "socially challenged" homeschool kids are out and about, partaking and interacting in real life situations, the government students are "socializing" under a controlled environment, behind four walls with a controlled group of people (also known as their peer group). Yes, the sales clerk that offered his unsolicited opinion on my choice to homeschool, was right! My kids are "socially challenged" by not going to public school!

This "social" problem comes out in other areas as well. For instance, when a group of home schooled kids are playing together, it is typical to see older kids playing with children years younger. Don't they know that "social rules" dictate you only play with kids of your own age group? You also might find boys jump-roping along with girls! No one told these poor kids that jump-roping for boys is an open door to being labeled a "girly boy", a reputation that could follow you all the way through high school! And the way these homeschool girls dress is so out-of-style, and dare I say… modest. Where's the low cut pants and the revealing spaghetti string tops? Without learning how to focus on their sexuality, how are these "fashion misfits" ever going to make it in the real world someday? They might have to rely only on their talents, skills and abilities to get by in this world, such a shame. Speaking of the "real world", did you know that a vast majority of these home schooled, social-misfits are sheltered from the mainstream media by their parents not having cable hookup? Without unlimited access to cable t.v. shows like MTV how will they know the pillars of our society like Brittney Spears, Paris Hilton or Snoop Dog? Without the influence of these pop culture icons, they will be totally in the dark to what society values in people...it's a crying shame!

So the next time some well meaning stranger decides to bring up the "socialization" question, my answer will simply be, "Yes, my children certainly are socially challenged and that's fine with me!"

Jennie von Eggers has authored several educational materials, such as Times Tales, Memory Tips and Zone Cleaning for Kids and is co-owner of Trigger Memory Systems, a publishing company that focusing on creative learning.

It is interesting to me that we are capable of socializing our children until they turn 5 then we have no idea what we are doing.

The above article may have been too black and white as far as public school goes. There are good schools out there and good experiences but there are, as I said earlier, good homeschoolers too. :) There is more than one way to parent, there is more than one way to educate and beware of any who say they have all the answers.

See part II of this post

Talk for Sunday - Inspired Service

2009-10-25T10:08:00.001-07:00

I’d like to express my appreciation for all that you do and all that you are, thank you.
Thank you to the teachers & their students,
to the leaders and their faithful flock,
to all who participate in sacrament meeting, to the voice speaking or the humble heart listening, thank you for accepting our imperfections and listening to the spirit.
Thank you to all who clean the building. I won’t say thank you for making a mess but thank you for being here to have someone to clean up after.
Thank you for visiting and home teaching and thank you for your welcoming homes.
Thank you for your work in the temple, for your work as a missionary, for you work at home.

In short thank you for expressing your love for the Lord through service. It is a testimony of who you are and of whom you serve and is much appreciated.
People not familiar with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints might be confounded at how all this is accomplished with almost everyone being volunteers. Wondering, how do they do all that they do with hardly anyone being paid for their service? It is as “Ammon said I do not aboast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my bjoy is full, yea, my heart is brim with cjoy, and I will rejoice in my God. Yea, I know that I am anothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will bnot boast of myself, but I will cboast of my God, for in his dstrength I can do all ethings; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.” (Alma 26:11-12) We are engaged in the working of miracles and it is a mighty thing to behold. I pray we’ll continually be blessed with strength in service.

May we be engaged in humble service, as was a bishop of the ripe old age of 22. He received a call from a ward member taken to the veteran’s hospital for treatment. Could the bishop come give the man a blessing? The Bishop explained he was just leaving for a stake meeting and that following the meeting he would stop by the hospital. As the meeting progressed the young bishop felt more and more uneasy. He was strongly prompted to leave the meeting at once and go directly to the hospital. The stake president was speaking and the bishop wrestled with himself. Surely it would be discourteous to leave while the stake president was speaking. He resigned to wait until the end of the president’s address, then, make his way to the door.
As soon as the president finished, before the closing prayer could be given, the young bishop was off on his errand. He hastened to the door. He ran through the hospital corridors, the impression so strongly upon him that he must get to that brother. When he arrived at the man’s door, there was a flurry of activity, a nurse stopped him and asked if he was the man’s bishop. “Yes” was his eager response. “I’m sorry”, said the nurse, “the patient was calling your name just before he passed away.” Crestfallen the young bishop walked out of the hospital vowing never again to fail to act on an impression from the Lord. To never fail when called on the Lord’s errand and no man could have been more true to that vow.

A member of the quorum of the twelve apostles was sent to visit a stake. This in itself was not an unusual thing but a few days before his departure he received a call from the President of the quorum of the twelve apostles. The President was impressed that he change his travel plans and visit another stake. The Elder knew of no reason he should visit this particular stake but upon his arrival he learned of a young girl suffering from terminal cancer. She wished to receive a blessing from a general authority. Looking over his schedule of appointments and upon learning that the child was some 80 miles away the apostle felt there was no way he could visit and asked that a special prayer request be made on her behalf during stake conference. The family, understanding the problem, placed their concerns in the hands of the Lord and prayed.

Preparing to speak in the Saturday evening leadership meeting the apostle recalled, “I heard a voice speak to my spirit. The message was brief, the words familiar: ‘Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God’ (Mark 10:14).” He knew what he must do. With the help of the stake president a visit was quickly arranged. Of the meeting the Elder said “I have been in hallowed places, even Holy houses, but never have I felt more strongly the presence of the Lord, than in the Methvin home.” The blessing was given and the child remembered in the prayer circle of the first presidency and the quorum of the twelve apostles. Ffour days later, says the then elder, “The pure spirit of Chrystal Methvin left it’s disease ravaged body and entered the paradise of God.” Later the story was related that the family had shown Chrystal a picture of the apostles and she had chosen the specific elder she wished to bless her. The family had hoped to travel to Salt Lake for the blessing but Chrystal was too sick. Confidently she testified that the Lord would bring the general authority to her and so he came once again on the Lord’s errand.
The young bishop and the apostle are one in the same and he has born this testimony today. “I have a testimony of this great work in which we are engaged. I don’t know when I first obtained it. I think it came step-by-step from goodly parents I’ve always had a testimony. The sweetest experience I know in life is to feel a prompting and act upon it and later find out that it was the fulfillment of someone’s prayer or someone’s need and I always want the Lord to know that if he needs an errand run Tom Monson will run that errand for him. I’m so grateful for his example and that’s whom we serve this is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I honor that name. I honor this church. The work is true and I testify of that truth from the depths of my soul and would say may God bless us everyone.”
Like President Monson we too may have experienced a time when we did not immediately head the promptings of the Holy Spirit and felt deep regret. We too may have experienced the joy and affirmation of following our own or other’s guidance. The Holy Spirit speaks to Bishops, Apostles, Prophets, children and to you & I if only we listen.

In the most resent Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President Thomas S Monson, our modern day prophet, asked us to run the Lord’s errand with him, saying, “each of us can do something”. He warns us not to immerse ourselves in the “thick of thin things” In other words, to spend our time taking care of things which do not really matter much in the grand scheme of things, neglecting those more important causes.” Sometimes as seen in President’s Monson’s life we are caught up in the thick of thick things but let us never forget we are the Lord’s hand upon the earth, he depends on us to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit so that we may in the word’s of Isaiah live in the spirit and also walk in the spirit.

Through listening and following the Holy Spirit we apply the balm of Gilead. Our afflictions are his afflictions. May we turn to Matthew Chapter 25 versus 34 through 46. As we read let us look upon Christ’s face and imagine speaking to him. “Then shall the King say unto them on his aright hand, Come, ye bblessed of my Father, cinherit the dkingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an ahungred, and ye bgave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye avisited me: I was in bprison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee asick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have adone it unto one of the bleast of these my cbrethren, ye have done it unto me. 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the aleft hand, bDepart from me, ye ccursed, into everlasting dfire, eprepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an ahungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the aleast of these, ye did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into aeverlasting bpunishment: but the crighteous into dlife eeternal.” If Lazarus failed to drop water from his finger, if we fail to aid others, these would be eternal regrets.

President Monson spoke of a family whose evening tradition was asking “What did you do for someone today” I suggest we apply this question to our morning prayers. Every morning may we humble ourselves onto our knees and ask, “What can I do for someone today?” Asking the father what errand can I run?

Do not be too quick to start your day. Some will joyously embrace this idea. Tomorrow, set your alarm a little earlier; have your mother scream GET UP! a little sooner, then take a moment. Hang your toes off your bed; slowly pour yourself over the edge until your knees hit the floor. Please use caution if you sleep in a bunk bed. Many of us use e-mail on a regular basis, maybe checking it every morning then again before bed. If we have time for e-mail we have time for knee-mail.

You may have heard of read-only-memory or ROM in reference to computers, my father-in-law likes to say he has WOM, write only memory. This is true for a lot of us. We remember better the things we write down. I suggest becoming good friends with your journal. Take it with you to church to write down the wonderful inspirations you receive there, keep it nearby during your studies to write down the insights or questions that arise. Follow the counsel of Elder Scott when speaking of better understanding and heeding our promptings write them down, study them, pray about their truth, give thanks for the divine inspiration and then ask is there anything more. The heavens are open to us for personal revelation. Write it down. Study it. Pray. Give thanks. Ask is there more and lastly as President Kimball would say, do it!

Listen for promptings during your daily prayers and throughout your day. The Lord will soften your heart, to your children, your family, your neighbor a person in need. Through small things do great things come to pass and if we listen to the Lord all things are possible through Christ who strengthen us. It is not the work of God that is frustrated. The Lord will not overwhelm you with things to do. He will gently guide you to those things which are of eternal significance be they small or grand.

I now enlist you all into the secret service. Your mission should you choose to accept it is to give over your will to the Lord. To loose your life in his service and by doing so gain a better life one filled with the beauty and blessings of that divine service. Let him guide you in what you should do to help. President Monson mentioned a primary that collected warm fuzzies to show the service they performed for his Birthday. I invite all members of the secret service to fulfill their secret missions. Take a warm fuzzy home from the bishop’s office put it under your pillow as a reminder through out the week to begin each day in prayer asking “What can I do for someone today?” Commit acts of secret service and you will accomplish your mission. This message will not self destruct.

The prophet asks for our sustaining prayers for him and for our brothers and sisters. Let us stand by our covenant to bear one another’s burdens whether publicly or privately. May we love and serve our families more, be kind to them, treat them as your friends and pray to know what the Lord would have us do.

I know a loving prophet guides us today in our dear President Monson. I know Christ lives and our Father in Heaven loves us and fully knows each of us individually He wishes to help us on life’s journey and for us to help others. Have you ever noticed, in the picture of Christ at the door, there is no doorknob? It is because we must open the door. We must open our hearts and listen for what the Lord has to say. When we open the door, may we say as President Monson, Lord what errand can I run for you today? In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Fleece scarves/hats

2009-10-25T09:22:00.000-07:00

fun with fleece
fringe fleece
We're making fringe fleece scarves for the girls & plain ones for the boys for family pictures. I think we'll make some to donate as well. Everybody needs something warm. :)

Operation Gratitude is looking for knit/crochet scarves and neck gators made from fleece

mareblized paper

2009-10-25T09:20:00.000-07:00

marbelized paper-oil, water food coloring

marbelized paper shaving cream we've used paint as well for this

We made Thanksgiving cards to be delivered to patients at the VA hospital with their Thanksgiving meals. They said Thank you for our freedom. You can do that with your marbelized paper or make Christmas cards.

Worry Dolls

2009-10-22T08:14:00.000-07:00

Worry dolls are a fun and inexpensive craft that introduces the Guatemalan culture and gives kids a sweet little toy. When i make worry dolls I find doll clothespins and embroidery floss. I wind the clothes pin in varying colors. It's simple. ;) Here are some more complex options and some information/ideas about Guatemala.

Guatemala worry dolls lesson

worry dolls at family fun

Clutter Free Christmas - a few ideas

2009-10-19T07:31:00.000-07:00

When buying something, especially gifts, I try to think where it will be in a few years? Covered in dust? trash? junk? A contributor to someone's coronary disease? or a precious memory? a heartfelt memento? If I'm not happy with the answer I don't get it.
Don't waste your life on clutter gifts or wrapping paper trash? Take the day or a few hours off and hang out with those you love instead of spending time earning money to be thrown away or trade your time for something worth your time.

Here's some ideas...

Adventures are a favorite clutter free gift.
Take me out to the ball game, take me out to a show, lets go to the zoo or somewhere we've never gone before. Time is the best gift of all.

classes/learning adventures often this is something parents cut in their budget so you can help them out. :) community center - ballet, soccer, etc. memberships to the zoo, science center, museum etc

Ask if they need any art/school supplies.

craft store gift certificates

home improvement store gift certificates - we all have a project

book store gift certificate with a few recommended favorites

Netflix subscription

I've found that homemade coupons never work. I've tried them many times. Instead of doing coupons I just do the stuff on the coupons.

Communication is key. Talk about what you need, set realistic expectations for giving, celebrating etc. Be open to wish lists, gift exchanges etc. For some folks Christmas is especially hard. If you have family that is out of work be sensitive to their requests. It is a very challenging time and sensitivity is much appreciated. It is the perfect time to focus on the things that are truly gifts, family, friends, health and faith.

Be Nancy Drew and listen for clues of things they NEED.

SERVICE I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to do service for other people with the people I love as a Christmas gift. I think that would be the best of all!

Consider making cloth gift bags this year - when you throw away all that gift wrap you're really throwing away your time. Time you spent at work or time you will spend at work if you bought on credit. Hard fact but true.

FLYLady
101 clutter free gifts for women
Gift ideas for kids

Squidoo

Neat and Simple

5 qualities of Healthy Women

2009-10-17T23:01:00.000-07:00

From FlyLady post by Leanne the dinner diva.

Here then, are my Five Qualities of Healthy Women:

1)A healthy woman is AWARE. Her mouth is a treasure, not a trash can. When it is time to fuel up, she chooses food that will nourish her body so she can nourish herself first, THEN the people in her life. Her nutritional needs are NOT on the bottom of the list!

2)A healthy woman TAKES THE TIME. Contrary to what we think (that we don't have time), we all have the same 24 hours in the day. Taking 5 minutes to make a nutrient packed salad or waiting 5 minutes in the drive thru amounts to the same amount of time?one of those choices has huge dividends, the other one just offers a huge backend!

3)A healthy woman is CONSISTENT. It's not about being on a diet to lose weight to get into your smallest pair of jeans. Consistently eating well means you are consistently doing something proactive to affect the quality of your health. Nutrients feed your body's cells, giving them life and giving you vitality and energy!

4)A healthy woman is APPRECIATIVE. Good, healthy food eaten with a happy, grateful heart makes all the difference! When you eat poorly, you feel guilty. We all do! We vow to better next time, but next time doesn't come. Appreciating what YOU DO FOR YOURSELF (via healthy eating) will change EVERYTHING! Your energy levels, the sparkle in your eyes, the constant smile on your face?people will wonder what you're up to!

5)A healthy woman MOVES her body! We need this--it is nature's best anti-depressant! Endorphins ladies, endorphins! You feel GREAT after an invigorating walk! You can give yourself hearty congratulations and high five yourself?yes you can! Doing something and moving is like the frosting on the healthy woman's cake. Yes, you can do this. Yes, you DO have time!

Being a healthy woman starts with your attitude, regardless of where you are health-wise. It's possible to have a bright and shining attitude and have a lot of health issues. I've been with women with chronic health conditions that I never knew existed because their bright and cheerful attitudes outshone their health issues. Likewise, I've also been with women whose health problems were the focal points of their lives and conversation. Guess who I'd rather spend my time with?

I believe with my whole heart that our attitudes can affect our health and either make things better or worse. Our attitudes are like the emotional compasses for our bodies?they determine our direction.

I want you ALL to be healthy women! Being a healthy woman starts with the food you eat. Look at those five qualities again and choose to be an empowered and healthy woman!

Love,
Leanne
Your Dinner Diva at www.savingdinner.com

Best Halloween Books

2009-10-13T05:09:00.000-07:00

Juvenile Literature

Picture
Mouse’s First Halloween by Lauren Thompson
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams
The Hallo-wiener by Dav Pilkey
Goodnight Goon: A Petrifying Parody by Michael Rex
Runaway Mummy: A Petrifying Parody by Michael Rex
Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley
Pumpkin Eye by Denise Fleming
Dogzilla and Kat Kong by Dav Pilkey

Chapter
Harry Potter J.K. Rowling
Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery by Deborah Howe, James Howe, and Alan Daniel
Disney Fairy Books especially those written by Gail Carson Levine.

Classic
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Short
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow written by Washington Irving
Edgar Allen Poe

Just for fun
Twilight Stephanie Meyers (I wouldn't classify this book as juvenile there is a lot of adult material.)

Books I've not yet read that might be good for Halloween
Dracula Bram Stoker
The Hobbit
Lord of the Rings
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886) by Robert Louis Stevenson

Beading ideas...

2009-10-09T14:53:00.000-07:00

Button Bracelets

These ones are very symmetrical
martha stewart

video tutorial that uses wire bracelet

sew buttons onto a piece of elastic The advantage to this one is the beads do not overlap but if you like that look then the next one is for you...

simple elastic cord button bracelet It is a challenge with the under buttons to find the right size but if you are purchasing buttons you can get enough for the top layer and underneath.

this one uses beads as well and layers the buttons

layering the buttons or adding beads to the top thread turns out really cute. Some of the layering look like flowers. sewing them on looks like it would create a very uniform design that would not shift but it is more time consuming and I kind of like that my buttons are always moving around.
We had some cute ones with layering buttons and beads.

Clay

Polymer clay is a lot of fun to play with here are a few jewelry ideas...

peppermint candy bracelet
We added a little mint oil after baking to give it the proper aroma. We also added green rounds between the peppermint sticks. This one is a cute gift for the holidays.

Fake rocks
lava rock
You can make some fake lava rock beads and use some cool knots between for a cool bracelet of choker.

You can add dried flowers, leaves pine needles to translucent clay and have a pretty interesting natural effect. You could use lavender and add some lavender oil after baking and space with purple beads.

Other ideas...
crimp beads are excellent for a quick and beautiful creation. Use wire for the base of the necklace pick out a pendant and a couple colors/sizes of corresponding beads you can vary size/shape etc. You can do two groupings on one side of the necklace then the pendant at the bottom then another grouping of two on the other side.

wire wrapping little treasures. pebbles, sea glass etc work well with wire wrapping and can be used as a nice pendant.

Family Home Evening/General Conference

2009-09-28T10:37:00.000-07:00

A few links for a few activity option for conference this weekend.

Conference activities at sugardoodle
Bingo
Deseret Book Conference Packet
October 2009 Booklet
We really enjoyed drawing the ties last year and listening for words for Bingo.

I think this year we will put together the conference snack mixes
mix recipe and use this Booklet

FHE lesson for tonight :)

Lesson 36: General Conference

Opening Song: “We Thank Thee Oh God For a Prophet”

Opening Prayer

Family Business:

Scripture or Testimony: 1 Nephi 19:23

Lesson: Pat Graham, “Sharing Time: Conference—a Time for Listening,” Friend, Mar 1985, 33
During general conference, which is held twice each year, we have the blessing of listening to instructions from the General Authorities of the Church. The Lord has said, “What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken; … my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by my own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” (D&C 1:38).
We should listen carefully to the messages given by the speakers during conference and show our gratitude for the blessings that we receive by being obedient to their counsel.
Thomas S. Monson, “A Message for Misti,” Friend, Sep 2008, 2–3
From an April 2007 general conference address.

President Monson teaches us about inspired messages.

Photograph by Busath Photography
“During the message I delivered at general conference in October 1975, I felt prompted to direct my remarks to a little girl with long, blonde hair who was seated in the balcony of the Tabernacle. I called the attention of the audience to her and felt this small girl needed the message I had in mind.
At the conclusion of the session, I returned to my office and found waiting for me a young child by the name of Misti White, together with her grandparents and an aunt. As I greeted them, I recognized Misti as the one in the balcony to whom I had directed my remarks.
I learned that as her eighth birthday approached, she was in a quandary concerning whether or not to be baptized. She felt she would like to be baptized, and her grandparents, with whom she lived, wanted her to be baptized, but her less-active mother suggested she wait until she was 18 years of age to make the decision. Misti had told her grandparents, “If we go to conference, maybe Heavenly Father will let me know what I should do.”
As we continued our visit after the session, Misti’s grandmother said to me, “I think Misti has something she would like to tell you.” This sweet young girl said, “Brother Monson, while you were speaking in conference, you answered my question. I want to be baptized!”
The family returned to California, and Misti was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
Things to Think About
· 1. How do you think President Monson knew he should tell Misti his talk was for her, even though he had never seen her before? How can listening to the Holy Ghost help you show other people that Heavenly Father loves them?
· 2. Why do you think Misti believed that if she listened to general conference Heavenly Father would help her know what to do? How can listening to Church leaders help you choose the right? Are they speaking to you, even if they don’t mention your name?
· 3. How do you think Misti’s choice to get baptized right away helped her life? How can following the prophet help your life?
Activity:
Attach statements from conference addresses along a string, with BIRTH as a label at one end, and ETERNAL LIFE as a label at the other. To help the family members understand how we are led by the words of our prophets, first explain that when we come to earth, we cannot remember Heavenly Father’s plan for us. We must learn from the scriptures and our living prophets about His plan and have the faith to follow their words.
Using a soft scarf to represent forgetting our pre-mortal existence, blindfold a family member and have him/her move along the string from Birth to a conference-address statement. Remove the blindfold and have him/her read the statement and tell how the message can be applied to his/her life. Repeat with different members (using a different scarf each time or simply having them close their eyes) until all the messages have been read and the applications made.
Closing Prayer

Treat

Conference April 1989
To the Children of the Church
President Ezra Taft Benson
Ezra Taft Benson, “To the Children of the Church,” Ensign, May 1989, 81
Image

My dear brethren and sisters, how I have rejoiced in the messages I have heard delivered from this pulpit at this great general conference of the Church.

The messages are true. They are important. They are vital to our personal salvation, and with all my heart I commend them to you.

In previous general meetings of the Church, I have spoken specifically to the mothers and to the fathers, to the young men and to the young women, to the single adult sisters and to the single adult brethren.

For my closing message at this conference, I would now like to speak to the children of the Church—yes, to you, our precious children. And as you listen, I pray that you will know that this is a personal message just for you.

How I love you! How our Heavenly Father loves you!

Just like the beautiful Primary song you sing, each of you truly is a child of God. For you, rich blessings are in store, and if you learn to do His will, you will live with Him once more. I know this to be true. (See “I Am a Child of God,” Hymns, 1985, no. 301.)

Today I desire to teach you what our Heavenly Father wants you to know so that you can learn to do His will and enjoy true happiness. It will help you now and throughout your life.

First, may I say how thrilled I am to know how you children are learning about the Book of Mormon. This is one of the very important things Heavenly Father wants you to do.

I know you are reading the Book of Mormon, for I have received hundreds of personal letters from you telling me that you are reading this sacred book. It makes me weep for joy when I hear this.

Many of you have read the Book of Mormon all the way through. In family home evening and in Primary you have dramatized Book of Mormon stories, you have sung songs about the Book of Mormon, you have learned the names of the books in the Book of Mormon, you have played Book of Mormon games, you have learned about wonderful Book of Mormon prophets. Some of you have even earned money to send copies of the Book of Mormon around the world.

How pleased I am to hear of your love for the Book of Mormon. I love it too, and Heavenly Father wants you to continue to learn from the Book of Mormon every day. It’s Heavenly Father’s special gift to you. By following its teachings, you will learn to do the will of our Father in Heaven.

I also hope your parents and leaders will give you opportunities to learn from the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and the Bible as well.

Now, there are other important things Heavenly Father wants you to do.

He wants you to pray to Him every day. He wants to help you because He loves you, and He will help you if you pray to Him and ask Him for His help. In your prayers, also thank Him for your blessings. Thank Him for sending our oldest brother, Jesus Christ, into the world. He made it possible for us to return to our heavenly home. Thank Him for your family. Thank Him for the Church. Thank Him for this beautiful world you live in. Ask Him to protect you. In your prayers, ask Him to help you know what to do in your life. When you make mistakes, your Heavenly Father still loves you. So pray to Him, and He will help you try again to do right.

Pray to Heavenly Father to bless you with His Spirit at all times. We often call the Spirit the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is also a gift from Heavenly Father. The Holy Ghost helps you to choose the right. The Holy Ghost will protect you from evil. He whispers to you in a still, small voice to do right. When you do good, you feel good, and that is the Holy Ghost speaking to you. The Holy Ghost is a wonderful companion. He is always there to help you.

My dear boys and girls, honor your fathers and mothers. They will help you make good decisions. Enjoy and respect your grandparents. Be a real friend to your brothers and sisters. Choose friends who have high ideals. Choose friends who will help you to be good.

Attend sacrament meeting. Listen carefully to what your bishop says. He is an important spiritual leader who has a special calling from Heavenly Father to help you.

Enjoy Primary, and attend every week. Bring your member and nonmember friends to Primary. Learn the Primary songs well. They are wonderful. Memorize the Articles of Faith and earn the Gospel in Action Award.

Be honest. Do not lie nor steal. Do not cheat. Do not use profanity, but be clean in your thoughts and speech.

Be a true Latter-day Saint. Stand up for your beliefs. One of my favorite Primary songs is “Dare to Do Right.” Some of the words are:

Dare to do right! dare to be true!
You have a work that no other can do;
Do it so bravely, so kindly, so well,
Angels will hasten the story to tell.
(Sing with Me, B–81)

Remember, Satan does not want you to be happy. He does not want you to dare to do right. He wants you to be miserable, as he is. He has captured the hearts of wicked men and women who would have you participate in bad things such as pornography, drugs, profanity, and immorality. Stay away from these evils. Avoid books, magazines, videos, movies, and television shows that are not good. As the scriptures tell us, avoid the very appearance of evil. (See 1 Thes. 5:22.)

Dress modestly. Choose clothing that covers your body properly. Behave in a courteous and polite way. Live the Word of Wisdom. Keep the Sabbath day holy. Listen to good music. Do your best to be good.

Do well in your school work and strive to be a good student.

With help from your parents, begin your own library of favorite tapes, books, and pictures which are available at Church distribution centers. Enjoy reading each month in your home the Friend magazine or the international magazines.

Love the country in which you live. Be a good citizen. Be patriotic. Fly your country’s flag on special holidays. Pray for your country’s leaders.

Primary boys, plan and look forward to serving a full-time mission for the Lord. Young girls, be prepared for missionary service if you are called. But also, young girls, learn from your mothers the important homemaking skills you will use in your own home.

Now I want to say something to you children who do not feel safe and who are frightened or hurt and do not know what to do. Sometimes you may feel all alone. You need to know that even when it seems that no one else cares, your Heavenly Father does. He will always love you. He wants you to be protected and safe. If you are not, please talk to someone who can help you—a parent, a teacher, your bishop, or a friend. They will help you.

I am sure each of you has favorite stories from the scriptures. One of my favorite stories is found in the seventeenth chapter of 3 Nephi in the Book of Mormon. It tells about the visit of Jesus to the people on the American continent after His resurrection. It tells about Jesus healing the sick and teaching the people and praying to Heavenly Father for them.

Now, this is one of my favorite parts of that story:

“And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of praying unto the Father, he arose; but so great was the joy of the multitude that they were overcome.

“And it came to pass that Jesus spake unto them, and bade them arise.

“And they arose from the earth, and he said unto them: Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, my joy is full.

“And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.

“And when he had done this he wept again;

“And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones.

“And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them.” (3 Ne. 17:18–24.)

I promise you, dear children, that angels will minister unto you also. You may not see them, but they will be there to help you, and you will feel of their presence.

Favored little ones were they,
Who towards him Jesus drew!
Who within his arms he took
Just as loving parents do,
Christ the Lord “Our living head.”
This of little children said,
“Such shall of my kingdom be,
Suffer them to come to me.”
Listen to the Savior’s plea,
“Let the children come to me.”
(“Let the Little Children Come,” Sing With Me, B–14.)

Dear children, our Heavenly Father sent you to earth at this time because you are some of His most valiant children. He knew there would be much wickedness in the world today, and He knew you could be faithful and obedient.

Dear child, you are God’s gift to your parents, and the gift your parents can give God is to bring you back to Him sweet and pure and faithful.

He expects your parents and leaders to teach you, to walk beside you, and to be shining examples to you so that you will know the way you should go. They must spend time with you and love you and pray with you and for you.

Your leaders must call faithful men and women to teach you in Primary. We must provide experiences for you early in your life that will help you know how to live the gospel.

God bless the children of this Church. How I love you! How Heavenly Father loves you! And may we, as your parents, teachers, and leaders, be more childlike—more submissive, more meek, and more humble.

I close my message to you this day with the prayer that we may ever respond to your plea as you so sweetly sing:

Teach me to walk in the light of his love;
Teach me to pray to my Father above;
Teach me to know of the things that are right;
Teach me, teach me to walk in the light.

And then, as your parents, we sing to you:

Come, little child, and together we’ll learn
Of his commandments, that we may return
Home to his presence, to live in his sight—
Always, always to walk in the light.

And together we sing:

Father in Heaven, we thank thee this day
For loving guidance to show us the way.
Grateful, we praise thee with songs of delight!
Gladly, gladly we’ll walk in the light.
(Hymns, 1985, no. 304.)

For this I fervently pray for the children of the Church, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

The Power of Covenants Relief Society Lesson

2009-09-27T18:44:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Spiritual Strength Training 101.
Today we’re going to work on some exercises to strengthen our spirits so that we may be ready for the challenges of this world.

Strength (weights)
Our first exercise is weight training or resistance training. To do this exercise we must hold tight to the iron rod. Ever had the weight of the world on your shoulders, ever felt resistance in keeping your covenants? The world can weigh us down. It often creates resistance against our worthy spiritual goals. Take the road less traveled. Walk through the narrow gate. Make and keep your covenants and gain the spiritual strength to lift and overcome the temporal challenges of the world. It will make all the difference.

Why do we make covenants?
We cannot do it alone!!!! If we only got what we deserved there would be no hope for us. Our only hope is to receive what we don’t deserve. Our only hope is to covenant with the Lord and receive the blessings of Christ’s atonement. Righteousness is simply a humble understanding of how unrighteous one is, coupled with a deep desire to do better. (The Peacegiver p98)

Covenants
Elder Ballard said, “A periodic review of the covenants we have made with the Lord will help us with our priorities and with balance in our lives. This review will help us see where we need to repent and change our lives to ensure that we are worthy of the promises that accompany our covenants and sacred ordinances. Working out our own salvation requires good planning and a deliberate, valiant effort” (Ensign, May 1987, 14).

What are the ordinances offered to us?
Baptism, Confirmation/Gift of the Holy Ghost, Sacrament, Temple Endowment & Sealing (Pass out a paper to each person that answers with the specific covenants to read and give each person a skewer.)

What are the covenants we make when we partake in these ordinances?

Baptism -
We covenant to:
• Come into the fold of God.
• Take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ.
• Stand as a witness for Jesus Christ.
• Always keep the commandments.
• Bear one another’s burdens.
• Manifest a determination to serve God unto the end.
• Manifest by works that we have repented of our sins.
• Prepare to receive the Holy Ghost for the complete remission of sins.

Gift of the Holy Ghost –
Covenants we make with God:
In order to qualify for the gift of the Holy Ghost we must fulfill the covenants of baptism, continue in humility and faith, and otherwise be worthy of the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost (see Articles of Faith 1:4).

Sacrament -
We Covenant to:
• Renew our baptismal covenants.
• Recommit to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, always remember Him, and keep His commandments. Partaking of the sacrament is a time for personal introspection, repentance, and rededication.

Temple Endowment
Covenants We Make with God
We covenant to:
“Observe the law of strict virtue and chastity, to be charitable, benevolent, tolerant and pure; to devote both talent and material means to the spread of truth and the uplifting of the race; to maintain devotion to the cause of truth; and to seek in every way to contribute to the great preparation that the earth may be made ready to receive her King,—the Lord Jesus Christ” (James E. Talmage, House of the Lord, 84).

Celestial Marriage
Covenants We Make with God
Couples who promise to abide the law of celestial marriage:
Covenant in pure love to remain faithful to each other and to God through all eternity.
Covenant to confine their intimate affections and sexual relations to each other.
Commit to live in ways that contribute to happy and successful family life.
Covenant “to ‘be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth’ (Gen. 1:28). A primary purpose of temple marriage in this life is to grow and mature in sharing God’s creative work in raising a family in righteousness. Parents enter into a partnership with God by participating in the procreation of mortal bodies, which house the spirit children of God” (in Ludlow, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 2:859).

Flexibility (Clay)
Blessed are the flexible for they will not get bent out of shape.
Our next exercise increases our flexibility; we bend our will to the Lord’s and stretch for the next rung of the ladder that leads to Him. Not my bwill, but thine, be done. Being flexible and yielding to the Lord’s will provides us with the resources needed to act rather than be acted upon. (1 Nephi 10:18) For he is the asame yesterday, to-day, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him. 19 For he that diligently aseeketh shall find; and the bmysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the cHoly Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the dcourse of the Lord is one eternal round. Isaiah 64:8 But now, O Lord, thou art our afather; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the bwork of thy hand. Like clay in the master’s hands only through his touch may we achieve our full potential.

In Stake conference the infinite possibilities of gratitude were mentioned. If we show gratitude to the Lord we see more things to be grateful for then we show more gratitude then we see more things to be grateful for and so on and so on. Write this circular example on the board show gratitude arrow more blessings we see arrow to show gratitude The Lord’s way is not one of confusion.
Can you think of an example of the Lord’s eternal round? Ways in which the Lord is steadfast, eternal and patient? (Pass out a skewer to each person that gives an example) write examples on board if folks are slow to give ideas give them the first word and ask them to think of the next

Make/keep covenants = blessings
Acknowledge = bless
Witness = Faith
Live the Gospel = Gospel lives in us
Seek = find
Knock = open
Serve = love
Study = know
Commandments/covenants = protection
Love Him = Trust Him
Trust = faith
Repentance = forgiveness
Weakness = strength
Preparedness = peace
Obey the Holy Spirit = more promptings
Share our testimony = testimony grows
Obedience = Freedom (ex Word of Wisdom)
Lord’s Work = Bless (self, others, church, family)
Sustain the priesthood = priesthood serve/bless
Visit Teach = Sisterhood
GIVE = GET !!!
DO = Strength!!

As sister Thompson said last night at the General Relief Society meeting, we need to mind the gap. In all of these eternal rounds there is a gap. The gap is where we go from knowing something is true to doing what we know is true. When we do what is true we should follow another of Sister Thompson’s counsels, to feel the Lord’s approval. Feel the Lord smiling upon you and his joy in your reaching your divine potential. Elder Christofferson in his April 2009 conference talk the power of covenants put it this way Some see only sacrifice and limitations in obedience to the commandments of the new and everlasting covenant, but those who live the experience – who give themselves freely and unreservedly to the covenant life – find greater liberty and fulfillment. When we truly understand, we seek more commandments, not fewer. Each new law or commandment we learn and live is like on more rung or step on a ladder that enables us to climb higher and higher. Truly the gospel life is the good life.

Cardio (heart) Draw a huge heart on the board
The next exercise is cardio. Cardio in the worldly sense is exercising our hearts.
Mosiah 7:13 states “For how aknoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?”
In our spiritual strength training cardio is building our relationship with the Lord. Knitting our heart to the Lord’s.

If a man comes to his wedding day only is he married?
If a mother comes to a child’s graduation day only is she a mother?
If we show up for ordinances only are we keeping our covenants?
An ordinance is the beginning of our covenant if we do not continue to keep our covenants we deny ourselves blessings and protection. This is another example of Sister Thompson’s counsel to Mind the Gap. If there is a gap between the covenants you make and the covenants you keep it is time to make a change. This is a serious and sobering point I hope you will ponder. Boyd K Packer out it his way, “Keep your covenants and you will be safe. Break them and you will not.”
Last night President Erying spoke of the legacy and heritage of Relief Society and how it is passed from heart to heart. The Lord wishes to pass His legacy on to you from His heart to yours.
What strengthen your heart ties to the Lord? What makes your heart receptive to the legacy He has in store for you?
Prayer, scripture study, keeping covenants, visiting teaching, service, service in the temple, compassionate service
(Pass out a skewer to each person that answers)
Again from Elder Christofferson counsel, “Divine covenants make strong Christians. I urge each one to qualify for and receive all the priesthood ordinances you can and then faithfully keep the promises you have made by covenant. In times of distress, let your covenants be paramount and let your obedience be exact. Then you can ask in faith, nothing wavering, according to your need, and God will answer. He will sustain you as you work and watch. In His own time and way He will stretch forth his hand to you, saying, “Here am I.”
Endurance
For endurance we follow Him. To Peter at Galilee Jesus said, “Follow me.” To Philip came the same instruction, “Follow me.” And to the publican Levi, who was sitting at receipt of custom, came the beckoning call, “Follow me.” Even to one who came running after him, one who had great possessions came the words, “Follow me.” And to you and to me that same voice, this same Jesus, says, “Follow me.” Are we willing to obey? (Thomas S. Monson, “Strength through Obedience,” Ensign, Jul 1996, 2)
Imagine the Lord as your running companion. He helps us lengthen our stride He meets our pace. If we are spiritually struggling he cheers us on and sticks with us. He may guide us around the storms or through them but no matter what He is beside us. Our race is the marathon of life and the finish line is eternal life.
Come what may, we can face life with hope and equanimity, knowing that we will succeed in the end because we have God’s promise to us individually, by name, and we know He cannot lie (see Enos 1:6; Ether 3:12).
Each stick represents a promise, a blessing, a heartstring that ties us to our Father in Heaven. One stick is easily broken but unite them together and they are strong. There is no relationship, no promise, more personal than those we make with Heavenly Father. As Job can testify, we may loose every worldly thing, but only when we loose our relationship with the Lord, have we truly lost everything. He knows you. He loves you. He extends His arm to you to hold you up in times of trial & to cheer you on in triumph. Bury your sins and take them up no more and in there place a lily will grow. The lilies toil not because they trust they are in the master’s hands. This I testify in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Costume Ideas

2009-09-23T10:16:00.000-07:00

Costumes

Family Fun

about.com

1. Wear makeup instead of a mask, or choose a mask that allows for unobstructed sight and hearing.
2. Buy costumes, wigs, and other accessories that are flame-resistant. And have kids rehearse the "Stop, Drop, and Roll" technique in case their clothes do catch on fire.
3. Write emergency identification information (name, address, phone number) discreetly within the costume or on a makeshift bracelet made of a strip of light-colored cloth.
4. Make sure the costume has enough room for warm clothing underneath. A cold child is an inattentive child.
5. Plan costumes that are easily seen on dark nights by drivers. Add reflective tape (you can even buy it in spooky gray) to too-dark outfits. Make sure costumes are short enough that kids don't trip on them or inadvertently brush them against the low-lying flames in jack-o'-lanterns and candles.
6. Avoid simulated knives, guns, or swords. If you can't, make sure they're soft and flexible enough to prevent injury.

Crafts

Family Fun

Serving Size: 1

Notes:
This is a great addition to punch!

Ingredients:
1 qt. water
food coloring of your choice (red, blue, green)
1 rubber or sturdy plastic glove
1 rubber band

Scary Fruit Salad

Bat eyes - Blueberries
Ghost smiles - apples
Pumpkin noses – cantaloupe

Crockpot Carmel Apples

Serving Size: 8

Notes:
These are easy to make. The extras you can add on are only limited by your imagination.

Ingredients:
2 pkg. (14 oz.) carmels
1/4 C. water
8 apples
8 sticks
optional
nuts
M&M's
mini chocolate chips
candy decorations

Preparation:
In crockpot, combine caramels and water. Cover and cook on high for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, stirring frequently. Wash and dry apples. Insert stick into stem end of each apple. Turn control on low. Dip apple into hot caramel and turn to coat entire surface. Holding apple above pot, scrape off excess caramel from bottom apple. Place on greased wax paper to cool. Once the carmel has set you may wish to roll the apples in the toppings of your choice.
Frozen Hand

Preparation:
Make sure you rinse the glove well if you intend to put this into something that will be consumed. Some rubber gloves come with a fuzzy lining inside, avoid those! Place 1 quart of water in a bowl, and add food coloring of your choice. For a witch you might want to add green, or for a space alien you might want to add blue. Pour colored water into glove, tie off glove with a rubber band. Lay glove on its side in your freezer, and freeze overnight. It is a good idea to put the glove on a cookie sheet, or in a large flat container, as a bit of the liquid may leak. When frozen solid remove, and place into punch.

Halloween Snack Mix
· 1/2 c blood drops (red hots)
· 1/2 c cats eyes (blanched almonds) or (gum drops)
· 1/2 c cats claws (sunflower seeds)
· 1 c chicken toenails (candy corn)
· 1 c colored flies (M&M's)
· 1 c butterfly wings (corn chips)
· 1 c ants (raisins)
· 1 c earthworms (cheese curls)
· 1 c cobwebs (Triscuits) or (Golden Grahams)
· 1 c snakes eyes (peanuts)
· 1 c bats bones (shoestring potatoes)
Mix everything together in a large bowl.
Serve with several pints of blood (cherry punch).

Recipes
Merry Melody's 2008

The Phantom is one of my favorite Halloween Activities. Happy Haunting

The Phantom haunts you happily from now through Halloween,
and was delivered by a friend who (hopefully) was not seen.

The spirit of the neighborhood has come to wish you well,
someone, somewhere, selected you to receive this happy spell.

You must display the Phantom on your door so all can spy
that you’ve already been haunted by this happy little guy.

Then fix 3 sacks with goodies like the one given to you,
ring someone’s bell and leave a bag and make them happy, too!

Happy Halloween!

Make 3 copies of the phantom ghost & this letter to go with your treats
Tomorrow night the phantom will be you.

2009-09-12T10:22:00.000-07:00

Asian Meatball Soup

Ingredients

* 2 quarts chicken stock

Pork Meatballs:

* 1/4 pound ground pork
* 1 tablespoon minced scallions/green onions
* 1 tablespoon soy sauce
* 1 teaspoon finely-minced ginger
* 1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 can water chestnuts chopped
3 Tablespoons fresh cilantro

Directions

Make meatballs: Combine ingredients let chill in fridge for 30min. In a pot slowly heat chicken stock to a simmer. form meatballs into 1/3-inch balls. Carefully drop meatballs into simmering stock. Cook at a low simmer, 15 minutes. Toss some chopped scallions/green onions & fresh cilantro into soup pot add carrots? snow peas? rice noodles etc adjust seasonings and serve.

Waste not want not kitchen tips

2009-08-30T10:41:00.000-07:00

Currently reading
100 Meals for $5 or Less by Jennifer Maughan
In the section title Don't just through it waya Jennifer points out that 1/3 to 1/4 of our groceries are thrown away which can add up to around $1,700 a year!

I don't believe in saving things because of guilt. I will not freeze something that should be thrown out. I will not create freezer fossils. I can get behind using stuff to make other yummy stuff or not buying things that will end up becoming waste.

Here are some ideas from Jennifer's book that I liked...

Keep a container in your fridge for veg broth. Whenever you make veggies save the broth then make soup when the container is full.

Keep a container in your fridge for veggie bits. When you have a few bits left over add them to the container then use for a yummy soup or pasta dish.

Soft tomatoes - put in blender to make fresh tomato sauce or make sun dried tomatoes

Save the crushed chips at the bottom of the bag for a crunchy topping

This one I really liked
Stale bread - use the blender to make stale bread into bread crumbs. Put the heels of the bread in there too. Just keep adding to the container.

Citrus peels. Wash thoroughly then freeze in vacuum bag. Grate frozen peels to add zip to a recipe.

Store fresh items in their season but store them properly to avoid freezer fossils. I like my vacuum freezer, canning is also very good. Don't fill your freezer with stuff that tastes like licking the bottom of the freezer. YUK! Take a few minutes to save it properly then you really will be saving the $1,700 a year.

I really like to think ahead when I'm planning meals. For example - we have breakfast for dinner one night then carbonara with the left over bacon the next night. I like to use the rubber chicken recipes. One night it's the main dish the next night it is hidden in some soup or pasta.

A big one for us too is portion size especially for the kids. I give them small portions of things I know they aren't big on - veggies usually - or things they haven't tried etc. Then there isn't a lot of waste.
I am not one of those you have to eat it or you can't leave the table people. I could write a whole post about that. I think forcing children to eat is a very bad habit to get them into and results in rebellion instead of children who love vegetables and try new things. I also think kids need to learn to listen to their body to know when they are full instead of being forced to eat beyond that capacity. Anyway that's off the subject. :)
Small portions and saving drinks in the fridge for later helps us reduce our food waste.

Composting!!! Good for your garden, good for the earth, reduces food waste. It's a winner!
Some places offer food waste pick ups if you don't garden.

Make dessert a special treat. Don't have dessert ever night. It is a healthier choice, it's cheaper and it makes it a real treat.

The Peacegiver

2009-08-12T20:53:00.000-07:00

The Peacegiver How Christ Offers to Heal Our Hearts and Homes by James L Ferrell

Excellent scripture study and analysis using the story of a caring grandfather and his troubled grandson. Illustration of the atonement's healing powers and the depth of the Lord's care for each individual as the Body of Christ. Book has great depth and is enjoyable to read. Looking at others through a new heart the heart of Christ helps us to love deeper and without condition seeing another's eternal potential while living up to our own.

Deseret Book

Amazon

Some favorite quotes

Being mistreated is the most important condition of mortality, for eternity itself depends on how we view those who mistreat us.

'righteousness' is simply a humble understanding of how unrighteous one is, coupled with a deep commitment to be better.

entitled to nothing and grateful for everything.

The difficulty of life itself is a blessing! For it initaiates a desire within us to come to the Lord-a yearning we can feel when we are binded by sin!

Salvation is not in a sentence, or in a string of sentences, however profound. It is rather in a person - in the Messiah, come to earth, to deliver man from his sins.

The Lord does not give you a new heart only once. He gives you a new heart every time you come to him repentantly, in faith, believing that you will receive. We need the gift of a new heart every day.

Packing

2009-07-30T19:15:00.000-07:00

Here's a tip for packing the family. Pack by days instead of by people. Pack a days worth of clothes for each person in a plastic grocery bag then when it is time to check in or to get clothes for the next day you just grab a bag. I use a different color bag for Sunday clothes or special day clothes and I pack the toothbrushes and PJs in my backpack so if I feel like grabbing tomorrows clothes I can or I can grab them the next day but I have all the essentials for a good nights rest after travel in my backpack. I also load up on library books, books/stories on tape, children's music and we have a movie treat for the last leg of the trip if the kids have behaved. We bring our journals for doodling as well. We made a travel journal to have folks write in with questions in it for them to answer. We're also doing a wildflower hunt so instead of getting beat for every slug bug we're looking for pretty flowers and every once and a while we're going to stop and pick some to press. Good luck with your travels.

Go Team Budget

2009-07-26T16:38:00.000-07:00

Here's my Relief Society lesson from today.

Time and time again we are counseled to have a budget. Every family, every person needs a budget. Today I’d like to share our family’s Budget with you. This is our fish his name is Budget. Every family must have a Budget.
He is a responsibility, you have to change his water every week or he’ll start to stink. You have to feed him a little every day. You might think the responsibility makes vacationing difficult or impossible but a vacation is even more fun with Budget!
Budget can strengthen your family and support your values. Budget helps you prioritize. Budget reduces stress; he is a calming and wise presence. Budget helps you prepare for times of challenge. Budget gives back 10 fold all the love and attention he gets. To some it may be difficult counsel to follow but I’d like to enlist you all in Team Budget.

Go Team Budget!

Everyone gets a Budget to take home. He’s yours to care for and he’s yours to enjoy.
(Ziplocs with “fish” inside – paper Budgets)

Family Pet
Budget is a family pet. Sometimes families buy a pet and one person ends up doing all the work? The kids say I’ll feed it or I’ll clean it and in the end one person gets the chore. This is not how we care for Budget. As a member of Team Budget we work together but you are not alone. The church has many resources to assist including the pamphlet One for the Money as a member of Team Budget you will get a copy as soon as they arrive. In One for the Money Elder Ashton provides inspired financial advice he says, “We should regularly review our family income, savings, and spending plan in family council meetings. This will teach our children to recognize the difference between wants and needs and to plan ahead for meaningful use of family resources. Marriage is a management partnership with husband and wife both parties have a voice when children reach the age of accountability they too should be involved in money concerns on a limited partnership basis. Control of the money by one spouse as a source of power and authority causes inequality in the marriage and is inappropriate. Conversely, if a marriage partner voluntarily removes himself or herself entirely from family financial management that is an abdication of necessary responsibility.

89% of all divorces can be traced to quarrels and accusations over money. 75% of all divorces result from clashes over finances. These marriage tragedies are not caused by lack of money, but rather by the mismanagement of personal finance.
AS Elder Hales says, “The three most loving words are “I love you,” and the four most caring words for those we love are “We can’t afford it”.

Family Spending Values
During Family Home Evening make time for family business. For Budget to survive he needs everyone to look out for him. Use Budget’s bag to collect all your receipts - no holes in the bag please and change Budget’s water every week before family home evening. Know where your resources go. Are all or more of your earnings gone? What purchases are needs & which are wants? Can you cut back on some things to pay debts or start saving? Are your purchases in line with your values?

President Tanner once said “I know of no situation where happiness and peace of mind have increased with the amassing of property beyond the reasonable wants and needs of the family. Let us learn from the sorrows of the past and avoid enslaving our time, energy, and general health to a gluttonous appetite to acquire increased material goods.

As a member of Team Budget I encourage you to talk with your family about your values and priorities. Discuss the following questions with your family during family home evening.

1. How do you define success or a life with no regrets?
2. What do you think our purpose here on earth is?
3. What matters most? What do you hold sacred? When do you feel peace? What brings you the most fulfillment?
4. What characteristics do you value in your friends?
5. What are families for? What does your family believe in? What’s important to us? What do you stand for?
6. What makes you happy? What activities give you greatest joy? What activities do you like to do together?
(Questions from Living Simply with Children by Marie Sherlock)

Spend more = work more working more means less time with family. Identify what is valuable to you ask as Elder Hales suggests is the benefit temporary, or will it have eternal value and significance. Identify where you want to go and how you want to live. Create a family values statement using what you learn.

If I gave you $100 what would you do with it? How would you spend your money and keep in line with your values?

What will you do with all the Lord has given? Be wise. Be virtuous. Think before you act. Think before you spend. Counsel with the Holy Spirit to do what is wise and good. Start where you are and move forward. If you are not paying your tithing start now. If you are spending money on worthless addictions seek the Lord’s help. Addiction is the craving of the natural man, and can never be satisfied. As children of God, our deepest hunger and what we should be seeking is what the Lord alone can provide-His love. His sense of Worth, His security, His confidence, His hope in the future, and assurance of His love, which brings eternal joy.

Family Goal
Elder Hales’ family had a family council when their boys were young and they set a goal to take a “dream vacation” down the Colorado River. When any of them wanted to buy something during the next year, they would ask each other, “Do we really want to buy that thing now, or do we want to take our dream trip later?” This was a wonderful teaching experience in choosing provident living. By not satisfying our every immediate want, we obtained the more desirable reward of family togetherness and fond memories for years to come. Talk with your family about a goal that will help encourage you to keep up on changing Budget’s water and other responsibilities. “Some families miss a tremendous financial and spiritual experience when they fail to sit together, preferably during family home evening, and each put in his share of the monthly amount going to the son or daughter, brother or sister, who is serving in the mission field.” (Ashton)

As Benjamin Franklin said "Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship"

There is a sticker for each of your debit or credit cards to remind you of your membership in Team Budget. Every time you see your Budget sticker think of your family home evening where you talked about Who you are and who you want to be or think about your family goal or a favorite scripture maybe 2 Nephi 9:51 Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Harken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which periseth not, neither can be corrupted.

Serve family, others and the Lord
Draw your family near do not let money become a wedge. Follow Elder Hales’s counsel joyfully live within your means, be content with what you have, avoid excessive debt and diligently save and prepare for rainy day emergencies, provide for yourself and serve and bless others. Nothing seems so certain as the unexpected in our lives. (Tanner) Our challenges, including those we create by our own decisions, are part of our test in mortality. Your situation is not beyond the reach of our Savior. (Hales) He will extend his arm and support you against all the fiery darts of the adversary; and he will be with you in every time of trouble. (D&C 3:8)

Set a righteous goal and the Lord will see you through it. How you treat the debt collector, how you treat the poor, how you treat your waitress, how you treat your family, your neighbor, this is who you are. Do not let money or material things keep you from being who you want to be. Money is a tool. We should use it to assist us in achieving eternal happiness. It is a happy day when money be thy slave and not thy master for if it is not your slave it will be your master. Be honest, be wise and have integrity in all matters. Do what is right and fear not for you are Christ’s, and He overcame the world (D&C 50:41)

My daughter said I shouldn’t be nervous about teaching in relief society because I teach kids all the time and adults know how to behave.
Our family like most has experienced times of financial trouble. I’d like to share from my journal some of our experience.

“Struggles come to everyone and no one is immune. We all have illnesses, unemployment natural disasters etc. We will all face challenges and I never want to look at my kids and say, “there’s no more to eat”. We’ve had some close times eating oatmeal and PB&Js more often than anyone would have liked. I hope when our financial situation changes we’ll never forget these PB&J days and we’ll have compassion for those who are going through rough times and compassion for ourselves by being prepared for future challenges. Hunger and Poverty don’t care about excuses or reasons. There is no compassion in them only in us. I’ll never pay my fast offering and think ohh this will buy a sandwich or some oatmeal because people need more than oatmeal and PB&J. Christ gives them more and so will I.

While in Salt Lake I had the blessing of touring the Church’s Welfare Square and Humanitarian center. I testify to you that the Lord’s work is being done. There are trucks loaded ready with supplies to go wherever they are needed. Sometimes it is hard to pay our tithing and to give offerings but I testify that there is great need. A prophet of the Lord said if the church had one dollar left it would go to feed the poor.

The Lord does not ask us to do more than we can. Pay your tithing and offerings, avoid debt, take care of Budget and he will take care of you, build a reserve and teach and work together as a family. I know this is the Lord’s work. I know he wants us to care for each other and ourselves and to be who he knows we can become. You can do it with the Lord’s help. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

TEAM BUDGET

Congratulations on your new pet BUDGET!

Use Budget’s bag to collect all your receipts no holes in the bag please. Change Budget’s water every week before family home evening and see where the money is going. What items are needs and what items are wants? Are your purchases in line with your values? Spending all or more of your earnings?

FHE Questions
1. How do you define success or a life with no regrets?

2. What do you think our purpose here on earth is?

3. What matters most? What do you hold sacred? When do you feel peace? What brings you the most fulfillment?

4. What characteristics do you value in your friends?

5. What are families for? What does your family believe in? What’s important to us? What do you stand for?

6. What makes you happy? What activities give you greatest joy? What activities do you like to do together?

Create a family values statement using what you learn. Use this statement to assess your spending and budget. Are they in line with your values?

Budget (From church materials)
Income Planned Actual
Wages/Salaries (after taxes)
Other Income
Total Income

Expenses Planned Actual
Church Donations
Savings
Food
Mortgage or Rent
Utilities
Transportation
Debt Payments
Insurance
Medical
Clothing
School Expenses
Other

Total Expenses
Incomes less Expenses

Budget weekly, biweekly or monthly according to your pay schedule.

Budget % from Dave Ramsey (not a church source)
Charitable Gifts 10-15%
Savings 10-15%
Housing 25-35%
Utilities 5-10%
Food 5-15%
Transportation 10-15%
Clothing 2-7%
Medical Health 5-10%
Personal 5-10%
Recreation 5-10%
Mad Money (money to blow) 2-5%
Debts 5-10%
Spend less than you earn. Save and invest the difference. Eventually you can retire on the difference.

Seeing percentages really helped me so hopefully it is useful to you. J
Remember your Budget sticker and to put it on your credit/debit card as a reminder.

Wild Flowers Unit

2009-07-24T09:57:00.000-07:00

Research
Check your library for books about Wild Flowers
Check the internet for local resources
Field Guides, Folklore about wild flowers, hiking guides for you area etc
Planting A Rainbow
A Tiny Seed
The legend of the Indian Paint Brush

Wild Flower collection
Take pictures or collect plants to press then identify and organize in a book

Lean about edible native plants
go out for a taste test but be careful!

Use your wild flowers in art
design cards with your pictures or pressed flowers after you've identified them
After reading some of the wild flower folktales write your own about a wildflower that you could not find a folktale about.
create a new wild flower with paper or water colors etc
use fabric paints to paint your wildflower then press them on a shirt or tea cloth to make a flower that will last all year and never fade
Design a wild flower garden
Do a May Day type activity. Collect wild flowers and put them in little cones to hang on your neighbors doors.
May day basket
Create a wildlife habitat in your yard using native plants
Leaf Tie Dye
Submitted by Val
What You Need:

* Leaves (various colors preferred) and Flowers
* Cloth (Light Color)
* Sticking Instrument (Mallet or Hammer)

What You Do:

* Put the leaves and Flowers out on the floor or counter. Put the cloth on top of the leaves and flowers. Then hit the cloth with the mallet until the leaves and Flowers are ground up. This will put a neat pattern on the cloth. If your brave you can let the children try it

Warning: Very Messy. Watch children with Mallets closely.
If you get a bunch of evergreens this smells sooooo yummy! The shirt will look like it's just stained/dirty unles you do a thorough job.

Science
Learn about plants.
Learn about native plants and why they work best for gardening.
Dissect Flowers and identify parts

Math
Count petals then use multiplication to figure out # petals in a bunch
He loves me he loves me not probability

History
Folklore and tales

Literature
Write books and stories

Music
Flower Fairy Dance

Games
Instead of duck, duck, goose play seed, seed, sprout
Find a bunch more ideas here

teacher resources

wildflowers.org

word search

Leaves & Wildflower Crafts

Science joins arts and crafts when you learn how to press and dry leaves and wildflowers. Make a wildflower press or use a heavy book to press you flowers. These can be turned into all kinds of wonderful art projects. You can make bookmarks, glue them on stationary, or simply make a wildflower collection book.

Leaves are great for rubbing and collecting. Glue them around a window frame, iron them in between was paper for a stained glass effect or just tape them to your wall in a pleasing manner.

Read more: http://kidscrafts.suite101.com/article.cfm/nature_crafts_for_kids#ixzz0MCHm6lNE

flower road trips

Breakfast of Champions

2009-07-21T08:08:00.001-07:00

Some breakfast ideas from FLYLady

Crockpot Oatmeal
Serves 6
**disclaimer on this recipe. It may not work for YOUR crockpot! A 2:1 ratio on water and oats may be better, OR it could burn. I know this sounds flaky but you need to consider all the variables: brands of crockpots, ages, models, sizes and the temperatures even, that they operate on. Be FLEXIBLE with this recipe and experiment with it to get it just right for your family.

1 cup old fashioned oats (NOT the quick cooking kind)
4 cups water

Throw this in a crockpot and let it cook overnight on low. That's it!!

For fun, add some chopped apple, raisins and cinnamon. YUM! The smell of this first thing in the morning is glorious!

Pancakes and waffles are more "weekend" food. Who has time to make them during the week? YOU do if you can get these mixes together. Even better, you can make extra pancakes or waffles on the weekend, freeze them in big freezer zipper topped bags and use them instead of those expensive and less nutritious toaster waffles in the freezer section in the store.

Here's a terrific mix:

8 cups flour (if you'd like an all whole wheat mix, use whole wheat pastry flour from health food stores)
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups buckwheat flour (at some markets, but for sure at health food stores. Optional)
1/2 cup cornmeal (stone ground)
1 1/2 cups oatmeal (blend in your blender till powdered)
2 cups buttermilk powder (this is in the baking section of your market)
5 tablespoons baking powder
2 tablespoons baking soda
1 cup sugar (or sucanat—natural sugar at the health food store)
2 tablespoons salt

This will make four quarts. Mix all together in a very large bowl and divvy up into gallon sized freezer storage bags. I would mark the date with a Sharpie pen and keep it in the freezer although you can keep in your pantry.

To make pancakes or waffles:

1 cup pancake mix
1 egg
1/2 to 2/3 cup water (start with the lesser amount first and add if you need to)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

In a medium bowl, stir mix with water, egg and vegetable oil. Heat your griddle and make your pancakes as usual! To make waffles, double the batter and follow the directions for your waffle iron.

Basic Muffin Mix
Makes 11 cups

8 cups flour (again, if you prefer whole wheat, use whole wheat pastry flour)
3 cups sugar (can use sucanat if you prefer, see note on pancake mix)
3 tablespoons baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons nutmeg

Combine everything in a large bowl and divide into freezer zipper topped bags. Mark date with a Sharpie pen and store in the freezer or cool dry place.

To make muffins:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a bowl, mix together 3 cups baking mix, 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, 2 eggs, 3/4 cup milk and 3/4 cup berries, raisins, chocolate chips or whatever else you'd like.

Bake in a prepared muffin pan—that means lightly greased (I prefer the cupcake papers—easy clean up!), filling cups 2/3 full. Bake for 20 minutes or until nicely browned. Cool for five minutes in the pan then turn out on to a rack to cool. Makes about 12 muffins, depending on the size of your muffin tin.

Enjoy these recipes---great for back to school and it's just around the corner y'all!

Love,
Leanne Ely
www.savingdinner.com
follow me, www.twitter.com/savingdinner

Doctrine and Covenants Summer Reading Program

2009-07-20T10:12:00.000-07:00

Summer Reading

I love Summer Reading at the library and here's a good one to do at home. Wish I had seen it at the beginning of the summer but it's never too late to start. ;)

Food Storage

2009-07-15T13:00:00.000-07:00

Food Storage Calculator
Dry Pack/Food Storage order form
Message on food storage

The Slam Book

2009-07-14T17:31:00.000-07:00

I have fond memories of making slam books when I was a kid for my friends and family. I have one from 20+ years ago that has all sorts of funny things from my family. An uncle's college mind set who now has a family and is on the straight and narrow. It's a great way to get a few fun facts from people for genealogy without getting too intense. I've tried for many years with a newsletter and people always respond better to quick, short questions. So here are some ideas for Slam Books. If you are traveling this summer you can start one at the beginning of your trip and learn about all the family or friends you meet.

I didn't realize until I listened to the following message that slam books started out as a pretty negative tradition of slamming other people. You could make a Compliment Book that has names of each person and everyone can fill in something they admire about them.
Slam Book reflections

Make a Slam Book

Goodnight Goon - Forever Young

2009-07-14T08:45:00.000-07:00

Goodnight Goon Michael Rex
I think this will be a Halloween classic for our family. It was great to read to kids who were brought up on Goodnight Moon. And Goodnight to the old werewolf hollering boo.

Forever Young Bob Dylan and Paul Rogers
I love this song and I enjoyed this book. The illustrations are full of little clues into the time and life of Bob Dylan when this song was produced.

Cloth Diapers - Are you prepared?

2009-07-14T08:40:00.000-07:00

Cloth Diaper Tutorial

Cloth diapers

Cloth diapers are a good thing to have even if you don't use them. What would you do if you could not get to the store or could not afford to buy diapers? You would be stuck. Get some cloth diapers and covers just in case or use cloth diapers every day. You'll never run out of diapers. at least if you clean them. ;)

So for the folks getting together their emergency supplies, their 72 hour kits, their year of food storage. DON'T FORGET CLOTH DIAPERS!!!!

The above diaper tutorial has some great ideas and information about diaper bags, types of diapers, detergents etc.

There is also a book called Diaper Changes that I found to be helpful. Good luck and I have to admit my little cutie looks so sweet wrapped in cotton. :)

Pirates Don't Change Diapers - David Shannon

Deep Thoughts

2009-06-17T07:32:00.000-07:00

The face of a child can say it all, especially the mouth part of the face.

If you define cowardice as running away at the first sign of danger, screaming and tripping and begging for mercy, then yes, Mr. Brave man, I guess I'm a coward.

When you go in for a job interview, I think a good thing to ask is if they ever press charges.

Instead of trying to build newer and bigger weapons of destruction, we should be thinking about getting more use out of the ones we already have.

I think the mistake a lot of us make is thinking the state-appointed shrink is our friend.

If God dwells inside us, like some people say, I sure hope He like enchiladas, because that's what He's getting!

I hope that after I die, people will say of me: "That guy sure owed me a lot of money."

If they ever come up with a swashbuckling School, I think one of the courses should be Laughing, Then Jumping Off Something.

It's funny that pirates were always going around searching for treasure, and they never realized that the real treasure was the fond memories they were creating.