Family Activity - Indoor Starts for Outdoor Gardens!

Can you believe it's almost time to start gardening again?

We have the green light to plant starts from seed indoors. 

These starts will be added to our outdoor gardens in the spring.

Make a garden plan and then go to your favorite garden center to get some seeds, pots, and soil.

Planning your garden layout and design before you plant will help you get off to a good start.

It's also a lot of fun!

In the beginning, it is wise to start with a small basic garden with just a few of your favorites vegetables.

You don't want to get overwhelmed, and have a bad experience your first time out!

Growing tomatoes, lettuce, radishes, onions, peppers and carrots is very easy even for beginning gardeners.

If you haven't yet had a ripe tomato straight from the vine or freshly picked lettuce from the garden, you will be amazed at just how flavorful and delicious they are!

Involve your Family in Planting a Garden!

Let them choose a seed packet or two of their own to plant.
Vegetable Planting Guide PDF
This page will help you decide what is ok to plant in your indoor garden.
Our Spring Frost Dates for Farmington Are:
April 29th, April 7th, and March 4th.
Our Fall Frost Dates for Farmington Are: 
October 17th, October 31st, and November 9th.

Seed packets usually have more seeds than you plan on planting,
this would be a great time to share with friends.

Most kids really love helping in the garden, and will develop skills that will stay with them for their entire life.

Gardening teaches many good habits; such as patience and perseverance, and can be a healthy way to reduce stress!
Remember:  Indoor or Windowsill Gardens need at least 6 hours of sunlight to grow. 
South facing windows are best.

Many children who are "picky eaters" will happily eat vegetables that they have cared for in the garden!

Watch for the Planting Guide later today . . . just have to check a couple more things.

(We don't want to be responsible for dead plants . . . that's just how we roll!)

Preparedness Project - A Jar of Candles!

A Jar of Candles with a TWIST!

Today's project will cost about $1.50 to make, but will be a great help in a power outage.

You will need:

1 Quart Canning Jar (Regular or Wide Mouth)

Amazing Goop Craft Contact Adhesive and Sealant

(We used the Clear Transparent Goop)

and

1/2" Plumbers Cap

That's all you need to create this project!

Instructions:

Take off the ring and jar lid.

Flip jar lid so that the seal is facing away from the jar.

Replace the lid with the seal side up.

Apply a pea-sized amount of the glue to the center of the lid, and the bottom end of the plumbers cap.

Let each piece sit for 40 seconds.

Put the glue-side of the cap to the glue-side of the jar lid.

Make sure it's centered on the lid.

Allow to dry over-night with the cap on the outside of the jar.

Fill the jar with 1/2" candles and a small box of matches.

 Reverse lid so that the plumbers cap is now inside the jar.

Tighten the ring.

You now have a waterproof emergency light source!

Wait 24 hours before you use the jar.

Note:

If you are unable to find 1/2" candles, NO PROBLEM!

They have lots of different sized plumbers caps.  Just take a candle with you to the hardware store to make sure you get the right fit.  Make sure you can fit the cap on the lid and that the candle(s) and matches will fit in the jar.  I found my candles at Smith and Edwards . . . Love that store!

I decorated my jar to show it as a GIFT IDEA.

You can make a few neighbor gifts for Christmas right now, and if there's an emergency in the meantime,

No worries . . . You're good to go!

Jar of Candles Labels PDF

I print the labels on crack-n-peel at Alphagraphics in Bountiful. 

They have the file if you want them to print some for you.  Photo tape works too!

Remember to flip the candle holder into the bottle when not in use to keep it from getting broken off!

You can attach the plumber's cap with a 5/8" screw if you want it to be extra strong.

Ark Prep 101 - Setting a Budget!

So have you ever heard of Budget Boot Camp?

Oh, it's real alright!

It's what happens when you have to explain why your checkbook balance is not even close to what you thought you had, and it's only been two days since your last pay day!

The Prophet's have reminded us over and over not to get into debt, and if we are in debt . . .

They have counciled that, NOW is the time

to put our houses in order, 

To get debts paid off, and to put some money aside for a rainy day. 

We think this will help!

Our first suggestion is to read the Family Finance Guide - Safely Gathered In, found on

www.lds.org

Family Finance Guide PDF

They suggest you:

Pay Tithes and Offerings

Avoid Debt

Use a Budget

Build a Reserve

Teach Family Members

Sit down with your spouse and then with your children to make goals and plans to become

FINANCIALLY PREPARED.

We are including a Monthly Budget and Spending Sheet

to help you keep track of where you are spending your money. 

When we see the way we are spending, we can find places to cut back and save.

Using a CASH SYSTEM is a great place to start!

Monthly Budget and Spending Sheet PDF

Divide your bills into 2 categories: 

Fixed Expenses and Flexible Expenses.

Don't forget to add Food Storage to your FIXED expenses!

Keep track of EVERYTHING you are spending.

Make changes where you can . . . Pay your Tithing . . . and Save!

Remember: To use your Family Preparedness Bank.

Family Home Evening - For the Strength of Youth Mormonad - 2010 Theme

The 2010 Mutual Theme is:

We are including several different options for your

Family Home Evening tonight.

One for the younger kids and several others for the mutual-aged kids.

It was too hard to choose, they are all amazing!

Make a copy of the 2010 Theme/Scripture Card. 

Post it somewhere to remind your family to be

STRONG and COURAGEOUS!

Mutual Theme 2010 Family Home Evening Lesson PDF

January Mormonad PDF

2010 Theme Scripture Card PDF

We Want the Best for You PDF

We are also including a BINGO Game we found on Sugardoodle.net.

Bingo Calling Cards PDF

Bingo Cards PDF

Relief Society Meeting - February 4th @ 6:30 pm

Order Forms for the February Relief Society Meeting are here!

Relief Society Meeting Order Form PDF

Orders are Due: January 24, 2010

We will be making:

The Prophet's Memory Game

Food Storage Menu Planner

Vital Records Binder Tabs

(You just need to bring your own binder and page protectors if you plan on putting your Vital Records Binder together.)

Family Preparedness Banks

-AND-

You can order your Family Activity Bags!

We will have 2 Short Mini Classes while you work, featuring:

Canned Meats

and

Carameled Apple Dippers

(These are sooooo good and easy!)

Vital Records - Family Emergency Plan!

The Vital Records Section for today is:

Our Family Emergency Plan!

The Family Emergency Plan comes in 2 parts.  The information you are getting today, followed by the

Vital Records Cards.  We will be working on the cards as a ward, measuring height, checking weight, taking pictures and adding fingerprints. 

(Don't Worry . . . we will only be checking the weight of your children!) 

We will be working on this in February!

Watch for more information to be coming soon.

Family Emergency Plan Part 1 PDF

Food Storage Meals & Menu Planning - Lunch

So here's what's on the Food Storage Menu for Today!

Peanut Butter and Jam Sandwiches.

Sounds easy right? 

Peanut butter and jam sandwiches are a great shelf-stable menu item, and nothing beats a

PBJ with JAM YOU MADE YOURSELF on HOMEMADE BREAD!

We are including some of our

favorite bread recipes along with some

super easy Freezer Jam Recipes.

We even have a recipe for Banana Jam . . . so good!

January: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Dessert, and Snack Recipes PDF

Preserve It . . . Canning Corner - Freezer Jam Recipes PDF

NOTE:  I had to keep all the January Menu Planner Recipes together so that I wouldn't mix up the page numbers on the bottom.  The recipes for today's lunch menu are found on pages 13-26.

Preserve It . . . Canning Corner!

Bottled Stew Meat!

We know the thought of bottled meat may sound a little weird for some of you, but it really is a great way to preserve your meats.  It makes the meat taste like it's been cooked in a crockpot for hours. 

Bottling meat will make it very tender. It will help you create amazing meals in minutes, and it tastes great!  

We PROMISE!

A few simple dishes using Bottled Stew Meat include:

Salsa Beef and Tortillas

Stew

Beef Stroganoffe

Beef Pot Pies

Beef Gravy & Spuds

and

Pepper Steak

Just to name a few!

We will be including the recipes for the meals listed above

throughout the year in the

Food Storage Meals and Menu Planning Section.

Here's how to Pressure Can Stew Meat:

Raw Pack Method for Pressure Canning Stew Meat PDF

Family Activity!

Who's ready for a Slumber Party?

We're talking to you mom and dad!

(We know you have a comfy bed close by, but this will be worth it!)

Choose a room, put up a tent (if you're really feeling adventurous),

grab your sleeping bags and some treats

and enjoy a  FUN night at home with your family.

The nights activities could include:

Playing games, watching movies, and enjoying a few treats.

Family Slumber Parties are a great way to spend REAL time

with your family . . . and you won't even have to get your wallet out!  

Remember the camera . . .

This is bound to become a favorite memory!

Add photo's and an account of the nights activities to your

 "Here's What We Did This Month" Journal Pages.

SWEET DREAMS!

Order Form for January!

If you didn't get a chance to pick up an Order Form for January . . . Here it is:

January Order Form - Due January 24th! PDF

Preparedness Project

Our Family Preparedness Bank!

So what in the world is a Family Preparedness Bank?

It's a #10 can that has been sealed without anything inside!  A hole is cut into the top for change (including paper money), add the label, and that's all there is to it! 
The best part of the preparedness bank is . . .
If someone tries to sneak, everyone will know! 
The bank has to be opened with a can opener.

No sneaking a few quarters for a caffine free Dr. Pepper run!

Having a preparedness bank will give you cash on hand
 in case of an emergency. 
If you needed cash and the ATM machines were down . . .
What would you do?

Now you won't have to worry!  Sit down with your family and explain the preparedness bank.  Encourage everyone to participate. 
What a great way to teach little ones
the importance of saving for emergencies.

We will be making Family Preparedness Banks at the
Relief Society Meeting on February 4th.

Sign-Up Sheets will be on the table near the south doors this Sunday!

Family Preparedness Bank Labels PDF
We print our labels on crack-n-peel paper.
You can make 1 for your family, or give each
family member his/her own.

Ark Prep 101 - Food Storage Calculator

If you haven’t discovered the online LDS Food Storage Calculator, you might want to check it out!

Food Storage Calculator

Plug in the number of people in your family, and you’ll find out how much dried milk, oats, brown sugar, and other staples you’ll need for a one year supply.

Take a minute and fill it out right now!

Well, what did you think?  I'll bet you got some pretty serious numbers, didn't you?  Let's be honest.  You're probably thinking, "What the heck am I going to do with 800 lbs. of wheat, 120 lbs. of cornmeal and 25 lbs. of split peas??"  If you're like most people, you just grab a loaf of bread at the store when you need it and rely on various convenience foods on a weekly basis.

The reason stocking up on staples is so important is because they are the building blocks of hundreds of other foods.  A handful of dried beans, along with some broth and a few veggies make a mighty fine and filling soup.  With flour, lard, some baking powder, salt and a rolling pin, you have tortillas (like the one's we had at the Preparedness Relief Society Meeting . . . Delicious!).  The trick is knowing how to use the staples you're storing, and then begin rotating them in with the food your family already eats.

By the way, if the figures from the calculator seem overwhelming and/or expensive, set a smaller food storage goal of six months, or three months.  Just divide the totals by two or four.  It will be easier to find places to store that amound of food, easier to rotate, and then you can build on what you have.

Here are a few helpful tips along with a Family Food Storage Calculator for you to fill in! 

Food Storage Calculator & Helpful Hints PDF

Safety & Preparedness FHE

Go to the top of Ranch Road or Clark Lane.

Look for the SIGN and the RED BALLOONS.

Grab an ENVELOPE.

Follow the Instructions.

Good Luck!

We hope this FHE is a real TREAT!

(The Signs and Envelopes will be there @ 12:00 Today!)

Vital Records - In Case of Emergency Phone #'s

The Vital Records Binder page we are posting today is the

 "In Case of Emergency - I.C.E." Phone List. 

Please take a minute to add I.C.E. Contacts to your cell phones. 

Number contacts in the order you would like them to be contacted in an emergency. 

For example:

I.C.E. 1 (Name & Number), I.C.E. 2 (Name & Number). 

Emergency Technicians will be able to check your cell phone and contact family members in minutes.

I.C.E. - In Case of Emergency Contact List PDF

Remember to add some CASH to your
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS BANK!

Food Storage Meals and Menu Planning

We will be sharing recipes each Saturday for
 Shelf-Stable Menu Items. 

Each week we will be featuring a different part of a day's menu.

Week One: Breakfast
Week Two: Lunch
Week Three: Dinner
Week Four:  Dessert
Week Five: Snacks

Our Breakfast Plan for January is:  Biscuits & Gravy!

January - Breakfast Biscuits and Gravy PDF

Family Activity!

We posted today's Family Activity Idea on Friday; December 31st of last week in the Preserve It . . . Canning Corner section.  We just wanted to give you an idea of what the pages can look like once they're done!  (I'm sure your pages will turn out even better!)

 Have FUN!

Boy Height, Weight, & Measurements Packet PDF
Girl Height, Weight, and Measurements Packet PDF
Family Time Capsule PDF

Preserve It . . . Canning Corner

Dry Soup Recipe #1 - Potato Soup Mix

Each month we will be posting a Dry Soup Mix Recipe.  Soup mixes can be put in the empty jars you are storing or in vacuum seal bags.  Make a few and keep them on hand for a quick meal.  Soup Mixes can be stored long-term if they are sealed in vacuum bags with an oxy pack.  Just add boiling water when you're ready to eat, and dinner will be ready in no time!

Dry Soup Recipe #1 - Potato Soup Mix PDF

Preparedness Project

Food Storage Menu Planner

     Keeping track of the Food Storage Meals we have on hand isn't always easy!  Sometimes the food goes bad simply because we have forgotten what we have stored.  Using this menu planner will serve as a ready resource in choosing meals for our families.  You can choose the set of menu options we have organized for you, or you can personalize your own set.  The Menu Plan we have created will be featured in recipes and available for tasting in Relief Society meetings throughout the year. 

     We made an extra Food Storage Menu Planner and will be giving it away at the next Relief Society Meeting on February 4th @ 7:00 pm.  For those of you who don't plan on winning . . . you can make your own that night!  (Project costs and order form will be available on Sunday!)

     We are including the PDF files for the menu item cards today.  Watch for the Shopping List Inserts in next Wednesday's post. 

Here's the Instruction PDF:

Food Storage Menu Planner Instructions PDF

Ark Prep 101

Are YOU ready to get Prepared?

We're here to help!  Check out our list of 10 Ways to

Get going on your Preparedness Goals.

Getting Started PDF

"Be Prepared" Credit Card Cover PDF

Macey's Case Lot Sale Starts: January 6th and will go for 2 weeks.

Emergency containers and supplies are on sale as well. 

The Ogden store is the largest store and is the Food Storage Hub!

See You There!

Primary Theme & Scripture FHE

January's Theme is: 
We believe in God the Eternal Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ.
The Scripture is:  1st Article of Faith
The Song is: "I Know That My Savior Loves Me"
Primary Theme & Scripture Packet:
January Primary Theme & Scripture FHE

January Journal Pages

Keeping a Journal isn't an easy thing for a lot of people.  The "Here's What We Did This Month" Journal Page is an easy way to keep track of the highlights, milestones and other important events happening in your family.  Daily journal writting is best, but once a week or even once a month is better than not writting at all!  Just take a minute to write in your journal each Sunday night or use the journal page for a Family Home Evening Journal.  We have also included a photo page for you to add pictures or to let little ones draw pictures of their favorite family activities.  Remember to include the dates as you go and the full names of family members every once in a while.  You may want to give each of your children his or her own page to keep as a personal journal. 

January Journal Packet

January Journal Packet Contents:

1 Journal Page, 1 Photo Page, and 1 Photo Block Page.

(Photo Block Page can be cut out and mounted behind photos on the photo page.)

Vital Records

This year we will be posting the forms and information you will need to put your Vital Records Binder together.  Each Sunday we will post a new form for you to print, fill in the blanks and add to your binder. By the end of 2010 your binder will be complete!  Your assignment this week is to find or purchase the items listed below.

You will need:
1- 2" to 3" Three Ring Binder
Page Protectors (Costco and Sam's are the best price.)
Printed Tabs and Cover Page are availble for $5.00 - You will find this on January's Order Form.

P.S.  Take a minute to fill out our Preparedness Poll . . . We won't know who you are,

we are just trying to find out what we need to work on! 

Food Storage Meals & Menu Planning

A calendar is a great way to keep track of what your family is eating on a daily basis.  Use the calendar to write (or type) your family meals each day.  You don't even have to plan ahead, just keep a record!  This record will help you put together a 3 Month Supply that you know your family will eat.  Keeping a Calendar Meal Record will also help you to purchase groceries that are in season and on sale.  We have included a great calendar link for you to record your family meals.  ENJOY!

http://abcteach.com/directory/teaching_extras/calendars/

Family Time Capsule

Preserve It . . . Canning Corner!

We would normally be giving you recipes and tips for preserving and canning food, but because it's a holiday, we decided to share a fun idea for preserving family memories in our Family Time Capsule. The PDF file contains a story, and ideas to help you make your own time capsule.


Family Time Capsule
Girl Packet

Boy Packet

Happy New Year!

If you haven't already added "BE PREPARED" to your New Year's Resolutions list, we hope this will help change your mind. We have tried to cover every area of preparedness we could think of so that preparedness will be a piece of cake (which by the way is food storage)!
We will be posting in 7 different preparedness categories.

Sunday: Vital Records, Journal Pages, and Order Forms
Monday: Family Home Evening Lesson Packets
Week 1: Primary Theme and Scripture
Week 2: Safety and Preparedness
Week 3: For the Strength of Youth - Mormonad
Week 4: Family History
Week 5: Family Acitivities and Service Projects
Tuesday: Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness Topics
Wednesday:  Preparedness Projects
Thursday: Ideas for Family Activities
Friday: Preserve It . . . Canning Corner
Saturday: Food Storage Meals and Menu Planning

We look forward to becoming more physically and spiritually prepared

as a ward family in 2010!