Wednesday, March 30, 2011

A Mother's Conference Journal!

I LOVE CONFERENCE!!!
The gospel never ceases to amaze me,
especially at Conference time.
I love to watch as people from all over the world
come together in obedience, to listen to a Living Prophet
and Apostles.
It's just AMAZING!!!
I have always taken notes during each of the conference speakers.
I know that the talks can be printed off almost immediately
after the session is over now days,
but for me ... writing it down makes it more personal.
I have received so many answers during this process.
I don't know if it's because writing it down makes
me listen more intently or what.
Just in case you haven't noticed .. . I'm a very visual person,
and even though just writing in a regular notebook was
fine, I wanted to make it into something I would
want to look at over and over again.
Hence . . .
MY CONFERENCE JOURNAL
was created.
Here It Is . . .
Cover Page
(This page slips into a 3-ring Binder.)
Back Page
Spine
Page 1
(Slip these pages into a sheet protector.)
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
I usually print two pages per speaker.
One to write on during conference, and the other
for personal study to use with the Conference Ensign.
I added a personal challenge for me and for my family
to the page I use during Conference.
This seems to be when the things I need to do in
my home and with my family stand out to me.
Even though we are being addressed
as a huge group . . .
The messages can be very personal!
These binders can be added to every conference.
It's an AWESOME reference as well as a
Fun Visiting Teaching Gift!
(Thanks for the idea Valerie!)
I'm soooo excited for Conference!
It feels like Christmas every Conference weekend  . . . I LOVE IT!!!
Here's the PDF:
My Conference Journal Packet PDF
Note:
These pages can be printed in black and white
if you don't want to use colored ink!
Hope you have a GREAT Conference Weekend!
Still more ideas to come!!!

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

A Few Conference Ideas ... Are On The WAY!!!

As I was wondering through the store
trying to think of ways to help my family
REALLY LISTEN
to Conference, I couldn't help but notice that the shelves
were filled with colored plastic eggs.
They were EVERYWHERE!!!
The more I thought about these wonderful
little things,
the more I began to realize that . . .
The plastic egg possibilities are endless!
Here's a way to make this Conference
EGGS-tra Special using plastic eggs!
Place a basket of plastic eggs on a small table in the room
you will be watching conference.
Have each family member write a question or two
from each of the talks on the cards included in the PDF.
Questions Like:
What did President Monson talk about?
What were two scriptures mentioned in the firsts session?
What color was President Eyring's tie?
Fold the cards and put them inside of the eggs.
The filled eggs will go into a separate basket.
If you have a bit of an age difference,
you may want to divide the eggs into two different colors.
One color for the older kids and the other for the
younger children.
That way, your littles won't give you the deer-in-the-headlights
face when you ask them a deep question about the atonement or
something like that!
Smaller children can also color pictures of
what the speaker is talking about on the
back of the Question Cards.
After each session
(Which just happens to be near meal time ... and a great time for a gathering!)
sit down as a family and take turns opening the eggs.
If you can answer the question correctly . . .
YOU WIN!
Prizes can be anything from
Treats to Points!
Points could used for some AMAZING PRIVILEGES like:
No Dishes for YOU!
Oh, the JOY! ... I just happen to be the best listener ... EVER!
(At least when it comes to conference talks!)
Here are the Question Cards:
Here's the PDF:
It might take a little more effort to...
but it will be soooo worth it!
More Conference Helps
Are On The Way!

Monday, March 21, 2011

It's Time To . . .

"Batten Down the Hatches!"
At least I think that's how they say it!
Water Heaters, Ovens, Bookcases, Refrigerators, Freezers,
and Television Sets all need to be strapped to walls to prevent
tipping and shifting during an earthquake.
If you have a gas stove, straps
are very important.
An earthquake can cause the stove to shift
causing the gas lines to move and break.
Cupboard doors should have latches to keep
dishes and glasses from falling out.
Use Picture Hook Hangers
to securely hang pictures.
Hooks along with a little Museum Wax will
keep pictures in place during an earthquake.
Museum Wax can also be used to
anchor collectibles and keepsakes to shelves.
Each person should keep a pair of shoes
and a flashlight by the bed.
This will help to prevent cuts from broken glass.
Flashlights will offer comfort to little ones
and provide needed light in a power outage.
So...
Go through YOUR house and
BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES!
All of the items listed above
can be found in your local hardware store.

Earthquake Prep!

I don't know about you,
but I haven't slept very well since
the earthquake in Japan!
I have worried myself sick hoping
that I have done my part to teach
earthquake preparedness...
I believe it's time for a review!
Here's what I have learned from my
Japanese brother's experience.
My brother Akira sent a text at 1:30 the morning
of the earthquake letting us know he was OK, and that he loved us.
He ended up spending 3 days in his office in Tokyo
before he was able to get home to his wife and two sons.
Their story was featured on the Channel 5 News with Carol Mikita.
Here's a link to that story:
Quake Brings Two Families Back Together
You can watch the clip and read the story if you want
to know even more of the details!
Akira made the difficult decision to send his wife and sons
to Utah to live with my parents because things
in Japan are so dangerous right now.
We are so glad to have them here with us.
In talking to Yuko, I realized just how important it is
to have on hand:
WATER
FOOD
A HEAT SOURCE
LIGHT
SOME CASH
AND
A PLAN!!!
Akira first learned about food storage during the 3 years
he lived with us as a foreign exchange student.
He and his wife visited about two years ago and I
was able to show them my food storage and
emergency preparedness plan.
He prepared his own food storage
in Japan and will be able to take care of his parents.
It's very hard to hear that mothers don't have
diapers, formula, food and water.
It's cold and conditions are very difficult.
I am even more determined to be prepared in every way.
I not only want to be able to take care of my family,
but I want to be able to help others as well.
I would like to issue you the same challenge!!!
Tonight for Family Home Evening
Review Your Family
Earthquake Preparedness Plan!
Watch for More
Earthquake Preparedness Ideas
throughout the week!

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Easy Swiss Steak!

...Bag Meal #3...
Easy Swiss Steak!
Here's the Recipe:
1 Quart Bottled Stew Meat, Reserve the Juice
2 Tbsp. Dehydrated Celery
Dehydrated Celery is one of my favorite things to use!
(I've get mine in the #10 cans from Walmart.)
1 Envelope Dry Onion Soup Mix
1 (15-ounce) Can Diced Stewed Tomatoes with Juice
1/2 Beef Broth (Reserved from Bottled Stew Meat)
Optional Pantry Item:
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce
(It adds a nice flavor it you have it, but it also tastes great without!)
Instructions:
Place all of the ingredients into a crock-pot
and cook on low for 3 hours.
Serve over potatoes!
Recipe for Garlic Potatoes:
1 1/2 cups Instant Potato Pearls
(Available at the Drypack Cannery.)
3 cups Boiling Water
Garlic Salt to Taste
Canned Butter
(Add as much or as litttle as you like!)
Allow to sit for 2-3 minutes.
Fluff with a fork and serve.
Makes 6 Servings.
Bag Contents:
1 Quart Bottled Stew Meat
2 Tbsp. Dehydrated Celery in a Snack-Sized Ziploc Bag
1 Envelope Dried Onion Soup Mix
1 (15-ounce) Can Diced Stewed Tomatoes
1 1/2 cups Potato Pearls in a Ziploc Bag
2 Bottles Water
1 1/2 Cups Potato Pearls in a Sandwich-Sized Ziploc Bag
Add a pinch of Garlic Salt to the bag of Potato Pearls.
Pantry Item:
Worcestershire Sauce
Here's the Bag Tag PDF:
Note:
A Days Worth of Bag Meals
Makes a Great Grocery Shower Gift
For A New Bride!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Just a Few LAST MINUTE Ideas for St. Patrick's Day!

I know these ideas are coming about as much
LAST MINUTE as possible,
 but I wanted to at least
add them to the blog .... that way you can hurry
and get something printed for tonight,
or you'll be way ahead for next year!!!
Here's the LuCkY Bingo Game:
Here are the LuCkY Calling Cards:
Here's the PDF:
For a FUN Alternative ....
You can copy TWO SETS of the
LuCkY Bingo Calling Cards and
Two Clue Sheets.
Divide group into two teams and send
them on a Treasure Hunt.
How To Play:
Before the game begins you will need
to hide the cards.
That's It!!!
The first team to find all of the TREASURES
is the LuCkY Winner!
Here's the Game Card:
Team 1
Team 2
Just Print...Laminate...And use a Wet-Erase Marker
to mark the one's you find!
Here's the PDF:
LuCkY the Leprechaun:
This is a great way to make St. Patrick's Day
fun for your neighbors and your kids will love the
opportunity to be
SNEAKY LITTLE LEPRCHAUN'S themselves!
Fill a small celophane bag with Treats, 1 Gold Dollar,
and a 1 LuCkY Shamrock.
The shamrock can be cut from paper and decorated
with glitter.
Leave LuCkY's bag of treasures it on the doorstep.
Sprinkle some gold glitter, knock and...
RUN LIKE THE WIND!!!
Here's the PDF:
You can also go on a...
Shamrock Walk!
Print Shamrocks, Laminate and Attach To Popsicle Sticks.
Hide Shamrock's along the path of your walk.
Your Little One's will LOVE looking for Treasures along the way!

For MORE St. Patrick's Day Ideas...
Check Out Last Year's Post!
Here's the Link:
and
Have a GREAT St. Patrick's Day
EVERYONE!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

March Journal Pages!

Here are the Journal Pages for
March and April!
Hopefully things will start settling back into
a schedule soon so you won't have to wait!
Here are the Journal Pages for March:
...Lined...
Here's the PDF:
...Blank...
Here's the PDF:
Here are the Journal Pages for April:
...Lined...
Here's the PDF:
...Blank...
Here's the PDF:
April Option #2:
...Lined...
Here's the PDF:
...Blank...
Here's the PDF:
This is my favorite way
to keep a journal!

Friday, March 11, 2011

Bag Tag Instructions!

I just realized it's been a while since I posted
the Bag Tag Instructions
so this post is here to help with any questions
you might have.
I also wanted to let you know that I will be
making a Bag Meal Recipe Book.
It will be available soon.
(For FREE . . . of course!)
If you have a hard time reading the small font on the tag,
the recipe book will help with that.
Each recipe has it's own page and even I can read the
words without my glasses . . . Woot ...Woot!
Here's the Instruction Page:
Click on the picture to enlarge!
Hope that helps!

It's Time for the Spring Case Lots Sales!!!

This is my FaVoRiTe time of year!
It's Conference Time,
the Grass is starting to show and Tulips are starting to grow,
the Tote are on Sale - which means...
It's time for Spring Cleaning,
and
The Case Lot Sales are Abundant!!!
Woot...Woot!
Here's a List of the Case Lot Sales
In Our Area:
Bowman's: March 2nd - 15th
Winegars: March 2nd - 15th
Fresh Market: March 30th
Macey's: March 30th - April  12th
Smith's: (Details Coming Soon!)
Dick's: (Details Coming Soon!)
Harmons: Case Lot Sales are in January and Again in the Fall
(Maybe we'll get a Grand Opening Sale in May!?!)
See You There!