Preserve It . . . Canning Corner - Tomato Basil Jam!

Tomato Basil JAM?!?

This was a new one for me.

HOLY COW . . . This one is AMAZING!

Serve with warm focaccia bread as an appetizer and it will

be the hit of the party for sure!

It's not so bad on grilled cheese either!

Here's the Recipe:

Ingredients:

2 1/2 lbs. Fully Ripe Tomatoes

(5 Large Red, Yellow, or a Mix)

1/4 cup Bottled Lemon Juice

3 Tbsp. Snipped Fresh Basil

1 1.75-ounce Package Powdered Fruit Pectin

for lower-sugar recipes

Instructions:

Wash tomatoes.

Remove skins, stem ends, cores, and seeds.

Finely chop tomatoes.

Measure 3 1/2 cups.

Place chopped tomatoes in a 6-8 quart kettle or pot.

Heat to boiling; reduce heat.

Simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.

Measure 3 1/3 cups; return to kettle.

Add lemon juice and basil.

Combine 1/4 cup of the sugar with the pectin.

Stir into tomato mixture.

Heat to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly.

Stir in the remaining 2 3/4 cups sugar.

Return mixture to a full rolling boil.

Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat.

Quickly skim off foam with metal spoon.

Immediately ladle hot jam into hot, sterilized half-pint canning jars.

Leave 1/4-inch headspace.

Wipe jar rims; adjust lids.

Process filled jars in a boiling-water canner for 5 minutes.

(Start timing when the water returns to boil.)

Remove jars from canner; cool on wire racks.

Makes 5 half-pint jars.

Here's the PDF:

Preserve It . . . Canning Corner: Tomato Basil Jam Recipe PDF

YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS ONE!

Soooo Yummy!

Family Activity - It's Going To Be A "BOO"-tiful Night!

Tonight's Family Activity

Is All About GHOSTS!

Ghost in the Graveyard

I was just taking a trip down Halloween MEMORY LANE

and remembered a game we used to play all the time.

Ghost in the Graveyard!

We would play for hours in the back yard.

It took me a minute to remember the rules . . . In fact,

I actually had to google it.

Here's the Link to the Game Rules and Instructions

just in case it's been a while for you too!

Ghost in the Graveyard Link 

Here's a game that might be more fun for the little ones.

It's a Ghost Hunt!

I made some numbered ghosts that can be printed, cut, laminated,

attached to tongue depressors.

Stick the ghosts in hiding places in the yard or around the house.

Here's an example of the ghost:

You can cut the ghost out if you would like

or you can leave the gray around it . . . either way

It's Ready To Go!

 The ghosts come in two different sizes.

Larger ones for the tinies.

Smaller ones for bigger kids.

Here's the Ghost Hunt Packet PDF:

Ghost Hunt Packet PDF

"BOO"-ling anyone?!?

(Pictures and Instructions Coming . . . Tomorrow!)

You Will Need:

Water Bottles

White Fabric

Ribbon

Batting

(Paper Towels or Toilet Paper will work too!)

Black Felt

Googley Eyes

and

A Ball

Here's another FUN Game:

Ghost Story Dice

I love ghost stories . . . although I have to admit,

my husband and I (and our boys) are the biggest chickens

that ever lived, so we tell FUN ghost stories.

You Can Let the Dice Help YOU
Tell A SpOoKy Story!

Each side of the dice has a different part of the story.

Side 1:

Person

Like Dracula, Wanda the Witch, the Ghastly Ghost . . . etc.

Side 2:

Place

Like the Haunted Mansion, The Graveyard, In A Coffin . . . etc.

Side 3:

Thing

Like Vampire Teeth, Bat Wings, A Witches Broom . . . etc.

Side 4:

Action

Like Making a Potion, Cackling like a Witch, Dancing like Dracula . . . etc.

Side 5:

You Choose

Whatever you want to add to the story!

Side 6:

Treat

Yay . . . Candy!!!

Here's the PDF:

Ghost Story Dice Packet PDF

You Will Need:

A printed copy of the PDF

(I printed mine on Crack n' Peel.)

and

1 Wooden Block

(2 1/2 - 3-inch size)

Instructions:

Print

Cut

and

Attach each square to one of the sides of the block.

Done!

Now you're ready to play.

Here's How You Play:

Have everyone sit in a circle facing each other.

Place a bowl of candy in the center of the circle.

Each person takes a turn rolling the dice.

If the dice lands on PERSON the person who rolled it

has to add a person to the story.

It's an add-on Ghost Story.

Everyone gets a turn to add to it, depending on what you roll with the dice.

If you roll and get the word TREAT.

Everyone yells, "TREAT"  and gets to take a piece of candy.

Next roll . . . the story over all over again!
This is a PERFECT Game for School Parties!

We're not through yet!

There's one more way to make GHOSTS a part of your

Family Activity.

Ghost Suckers!

Sorry about the glare from the cellophane.
I had to hurry and wrap them before the boys finished ALL OF THEM off.
They were eating them as fast as they were making them!

 You Will Need:

A Squeeze Bottle

(You can find these at the Dollar Store or the Craft Store.)

White Chocolate Pieces or White Chocolate Chips

Mini Chocolate Chips
White Sprinkles

and

Tongue Depressors

Instructions:

Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 20 second intervals.

(I melted mine right in the squeeze bottle.)

Lay tongue depressors out on a piece of tin foil.

Squeeze Ghost shapes onto the tongue depressors.

Add the eyes and some sprinkles.

Wait for them to set up.
(You can put them in the fridge to speed things along.)

That's It!

Super Cute and Super Easy!

They make fun gifts for Visiting Teaching and are perfect for stirring hot chocolate.

Pure Creamy Goodness!

Have a "BOO"-tiful Night!

Food Storage Meals and Menu Planning - Lunch: Chili Cornbread Casserole!

Today's Lunch Menu Is:

Chili Cornbread Casserole!

Here's the Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp. Oil

1 Jar Bottled Hamburger, Drained

1/4 cup Dried Onions

1 1/2 cups Bottled Salsa

One can (15 oz.) Corn, drained

1/4 cup Water

1 cup Shredded Cheddar, optional

Cumin and Chili powder

Salt and Pepper

One box Cornbread Mix (7 to 8 oz.)

1/3 cup Milk, for Cornbread

1 large Egg, for Cornbread

(1 1/2 Tbsp. Powdered Egg to 3 Tbsp. Water)

Instructions:

Heat oil in a large skillet; sauté onion until soft.

Add beef; cook until no longer pink.

Discard fat.

Stir in the salsa, corn, water, and cheese.

Season to taste with cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper.

Spoon into a 7-x-11-inch (2-qt.) casserole; smooth the top.

Follow cornbread package directions.

Spread a thin layer over the chili.

Bake at 375ºF for 40 minutes.

Cool 10 minutes before serving.

Serves 6

Here's the PDF:

Lunch: Chili Cornbread Casserole Recipe PDF

This is another great

BAG MEAL RECIPE!

Give it a try and if you like it

make some EXTRAS

for later on!

Family Activity - It's Fall!

I think that fall leaves are one of the most beautiful things

ever created.  I looked out my window this morning and could see

the colors had not only changed in the mountains,

but they were even starting to change closer to home.

It's and AWESOME sight!

Take your family on a drive to see the fall leaves.

Mueller Park is my favorite this time of year, especially

if you would like to go for a "FAMILY FRIENDLY HIKE."

Take some Ziploc bags so that the kids can

gather fall leaves.

Dry the leaves between the pages of an old phone book

and they can be added to your Thanksgiving table.

They can also be used to make a Fall Leaf Wreath on paper.

This can be laminated and added to your Family History or

Family Home Evening Journal.

(Just make sure the leaves are completely dry BEFORE you laminate them.)

Don't Forget to take your camera!

No family activity would be complete with out a treat!

WARNING . . .

This dessert is Aaaa-MAZ-ING!

Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle

Here's the Recipe:

Ingredients:

2 (14-ounce) packages Gingerbread Mix

1 (5.1-ounce) box Cook-and-Serve Vanilla Pudding Mix

1 (30-ounce) can Pumpkin Pie Filling

1/2 cup packed Brown Sugar

1/3 teaspoon Ground Cardamom or Cinnamon

1 (12-ounce) container Frozen Whipped Topping

(Shelf-Stable Cream can be substituted here.

Just refrigerate, whip, and add a little powdered sugar and vanilla.)

1/2 cup Gingersnaps, Optional

Instructions:

Bake the gingerbread according to the package directions;

Cool completely.

Meanwhile, prepare the pudding and set aside to cool.

Stir the pumpkin pie filling, sugar, and cinnamon

 into the pudding.

Crumble 1 batch of gingerbread into the bottom of a large,

pretty bowl.

Pour 1/2 of the pudding mixture over the gingerbread,

Then add a layer of whipped topping.

Repeat with the remaining gingerbread, pudding,

and whipped topping.

Sprinkle of the top with crushed gingersnaps, if desired.

Refrigerate overnight.

Trifle can be layered in a punch bowl.

This would make a great BAG MEAL DESSERT!!!

I'll post the tags for the "Bag Meal Dessert" tomorrow.

Here's the Recipe PDF:

Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle Recipe PDF

Sooooo Good!

Primary Theme and Scripture FHE: Come Unto Christ!

Here's the Scripture:

Opening Prayer:

Scripture:

Moroni 10:32

"Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in Him"

Opening Song:

"Called to Serve"

Children's Songbook Page 174

Thought:

I have always felt the best way to show love to others

is to share the gospel with them.

Purpose:

Help family members appreciate missionaries and prepare to serve.

Lesson:

Place a world map or globe in the center of the room.

Obtain eight to ten temple pictures (or put their names on a

strip of paper) from around the world and place

them around the map.

Here's a Link for some Temple Pictures:

Temple Pictures

(Scroll all the way down and you will find all the temples.)

Tell you family that Heavenly Father has commanded

all the prophets to send missionaries to many countries.

Ask your family members the following questions:

How does Heavenly Father show love for His children?

Why does Heavenly Father want missionaries in every nation?

What do missionaries teach?

Why is it important that everyone prepare to be a missionary?

Tell your family that because Heavenly Father loves the

people of every country, he has sent missionaries out to preach

the gospel.  Those who accept the gospel can become

ready for the blessings of the temple.

Many years ago there were just a few temples on the earth.

Now there are many temples in the world that can provide those

blessings to the followers of Jesus.

Have your family match the temple to the correct country.

As temple and country are matched, connect them with string.

Tell your family that Heavenly Father loves the

missionaries because they are his servants.

He wants them to teach the gospel because he loves all of

his children and wants them to have all the blessings of the gospel.

Story:

6,000 Miles to Bring a Message

One day [Elder Hugh B. Brown] was going door to door in

Norwich, England.

He knocked on a door and received no answer.  Through an open

window he saw a woman sitting in her living room,

knitting.  He knocked again, but she still didn't answer.  What he

didn't know was that she had spotted him, recognized that he was

a Mormon missionary, and decided not to go to the door.

But Elder Brown was not so easily ignored.  He wanted her to

hear what he had to say.  So he walked around her house and knocked

hard, with his walking stick, on the back door.

Needless to say, the woman flew to her door and gave the missionary

quite a talking to.  Elder Brown later wrote:

When she did stop, I said, "My dear lady, I apologize

for having annoyed you, but our Heavenly Father sent me 6,000 miles

to bring you a message, and inasmuch as he sent me I can't

go home until I give you that message."

After telling her the story of Joseph Smith and the restoration

of the gospel to the earth, he apologized again for disturbing

her.  The he added, "Sister, when you and I meet again,

and we will meet again, you are going to say, 'Thank you, and thank

God that you came to my back door and insisted on speaking

to me.'"

Ten years later, Hugh Brown was in England again, this time

as a soldier in World War I.  A conference was scheduled

in Norwich, but the mission president was sick and couldn't attend.

He called Major Brown to see if he could go fill in.

He did so willingly.  At the end of the meeting, a

woman came up to see him.  Tears rolled down her cheeks

as she kissed his hand.  She said:

I do thank God that you came to my door ten years ago.  When you left that day,

I thought about what you had said.  I couldn't get it out of my mind. 

I was fighting it, but I couldn't sleep that night.

I kept thinking, 'God has sent a message to me.' . . . I tried to

find the missionaries from the address on the tract you left,

and when I found them, you had returned to Canada.

We continued to investigate until my daughter and I

joined the church.

Elder Brown was deeply touched, and he remembered all

the doors he had knocked on during his mission - and all of

the rejections.  He wondered whether other people he had

taught had later accepted the gospel.

Activity:

Pray together as a family for missionary opportunities.

We don't have to be set apart as a missionary

to invite others to come unto Christ.

Extras:

Make a Missionary Savings Bank

Write to Missionaries Serving form your Family or Ward.

Invite the Missionaries to Dinner.

Closing Prayer:

Here's the PDF:

October Primary Theme and Scripture Lesson PDF

Time For Treats:

Popcorn and Hot Chocolate with Floating Marshmallow Ghosts!

You can use any of the Halloween Peeps,

the results are always Ammmmmazing!

Have a Great Night!

Family Activity - Pumpkin Patch Here We Come!

This is my

ABSOLUTE FAVORITE TIME OF THE YEAR!

I love EVERYTHING to do with Fall,

and a trip to the PUMPKIN PATCH is a great way

to get the season started!

Load up the FAM and head out to your favorite patch.

My parents found a great one in Ogden that we

go to as a WHOLE FAMILY.

We make sure to take lots of pictures . . . especially

in the premade halloween scene with cut outs for your heads.

LOVE 'EM!

It never fails . . . we ALWAYS lose someone in the

Corn Maze, but it all eventually works out and it gives us some

more great stories to add to our memory album.

Top off the night with
some of the

World's Easiest Cookies!

Here's the Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 Box Spice Cake Mix

1 Can Pumpkin

Chocolate Chips

(We use a whole bag of milk chocolate chips.)

and

1 Egg

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients and bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes

or until cookies are no longer doughy in the middle.

This is the PERFECT shelf-stable recipe,

especially if you're BRAVE ENOUGH to try your powdered eggs!

Have a Great Night!

(Whew . . . I got all 3 posts done!)

Family Activity - Time for Pie!

I don't know very many kids that don't love
to work with food in the kitchen.
Notice I said, "Kids" and "Food" . . . Not
"Teens" and "Work!"
For Kids . . .

every ingredient is a great adventure just waiting to happen!

For Tonight's Family Activity

let everyone make their own MINI PIE!
You Will Need:

Pie Dough

(Premade or from Scratch)

Pie Filling

(Canned or Homemade)

and

Some Small Pie Tins or Large Muffin Tins

You can also use the bottom of

an oven safe bowl or wide mouth canning jar.

If you are using the bowl or canning jar,

just flip them upside down and use the bottom.

Pie crusts can be formed around the bottom and baked

while they are still on the jar or bowl.

Edges should be around 2 1/2" - 3" deep.

Make sure you prick the pie dough with a fork

before baking.

Pie shells can be easily removed when they

are completely cooked and cooled.

Did You Know . . .

If you have a problem with shrinking or sinking pie crusts,

you can use the outside of the pie tin the same way

you would use the bowl or jar above.

When it's time to fill the pie,

just remove it from the backside of the tin

(after it's been cooked and cooled)

and then return the crust to the inside the tin.

Filling can be added from there.

(This only works with cream pies . . . fruit pie crusts bake

at the same time as the filling!)
If you are using the muffin tins or small pie crusts,

roll the dough to about 1/4" thick and then

press into the tins or pans.

Prick with a fork before baking.

If you are making a fruit pie, add the pie filling

before baking the crust.

If you are doing a cream pie,

you will want to bake the crust first.

The kids will love playing with the dough!

It may not be as flaky as it normally would,

but I have a feeling the kids won't mind!

Here's an AMAZING LINK for making mini pies!
Pie in a Jar Link

Super Cute and FUN!
Have a GREAT Night!

Family Activity - Personalized Pizzas!

My boys LOVE pizza!

It's pretty high on their

"WORLD'S GREATEST INVENTIONS" List!

I have a feeling this is one family activity they won't want to miss.

We will be making

PERSONALIZED INDIVIDUAL PIZZAS

and the best part . . . everyone will be able to make their own,

so EVERYONE will be happy!

You Will Need:

Spaghetti Sauce

or

Alfredo Sauce

Some people even like BBQ Sauce

Cheese

Pizza Toppings

(Here are a few of our favorites!)

Pepperoni

Olives

Pineapple

Tomatoes

Mushrooms

Spinach

Ham

Sausage

Bacon

Onions

Peppers

Jalapenos

Chives

Cucumbers

and

Chicken

or Pulled Pork

For the Base You Can Use:

Rhodes Rolls

(Thawed)

Bagels

English Muffins

Pita Bread

or

Homemade Bread Dough

I LOVE THIS IDEA FOR HALLOWEEN!

Note:

This would be a great scrapbook page.

Take before, during and after pictures of the pizza making process.

It will be fun to see what everyone chooses for their pizza.

Enjoy your night with the family!

(One post down . . . two to go!)

Primary Theme and Scripture FHE:

The Primary Theme for September Is:

I Obey Jesus Christ Because I Love Him

The Scripture Is:

John 14:15

If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Here's the Scripture Card PDF:

September Scripture Card PDF

Opening Prayer:

Thought:

Obedience is the most genuine way to show love for God.

(Howard W. Hunter)

Purpose:

To help our family learn that through obeying the commandments

we can return to live with our Father in Heaven.

Song:

"Keep the Commandments"

Children's Songbook Page 146

Object Lesson:

Draw a large square on a piece of paper.

Tell your family that it represents the four sides of a fence.

Explain that many people might consider this fence restrictive

and try to jump or climb over it.

Others would consider the fence as a way to keep anything

from hurting them.

Heavenly Father has given us a protective fence called the commandments.

Invite family members to name some of the commandments.

Write them around the outside of the square.

Ask how each of these commandments protects us.

Make a copy for each of the members of your family and

have them draw a picture of themselves or the whole family

inside the square.

These pages can be added to your

Family Home Evening Journal!

Story:

How to Be Exactly Obedient

Even Jesus, the greatest person ever to live on this earth,

won the prize of eternal glory only by strict obedience

to the will of his Father.

Noah was another superb example.

Long before the rains came, while it was still dry, the Lord

commanded him to build a ship to save his family from a great flood.

That would be like the Lord commanding his servant, Brother Ogden,

to take his family from Provo, Utah, and flee up the canyon eastward

into Heber Valley, and there build a spaceship.

The world would soon be destroyed, and that would be the only

way for my family to escape and be saved.

My reaction, of course, would be

"But Lord, I don't know how to build a spaceship."

I suspect Noah must have felt the same way.  But he responded.

He did exactly as the Lord instructed him

(the Lord providing the details after Noah demonstrated his willingness to obey),

and, in the end, the prophet and his family were saved and

thus perpetuated the human race.

We all appreciate Noah's obedience:

We are descendants of Noah, and his obedience preserved our

option to come here for this crucial mortal probation.

(D. Kelly Ogden, Before You Get to Heaven)

Activity:

On one side of a paper, list the following actions:

Stay Up Too Late

Exercise

Arrive Late For School or Work

Break a Traffic Law

Smile

Eat Too Much

Drive on a Flat Tire

Prepare Well for an Assignment or Test

If you desire, list any others that are applicable for your family.

Draw a line down the middle of the paper.

Briefly discuss what the word consequences means.

Tell your family that every choice has a consequence.

Sometimes the consequences do not happen for a long time,

but there is always a consequence.

Go through the list and have family members tell what the

consequence of each action might be.

On the other side of the line,

write one or two consequences of each action.

Determine whether the action shows obedience or disobedience.

Extras:

Play "Simon Says."

Liken keeping the commandments with following

"Simon's" instructions exactly.

Teach the following verse:

While I Am Young

If I can learn while I am young

To listen and obey,

When I am older, doing right

Will be the easier way!

(Mabel Jones Gabbott)

Here's the PDF:

September Primary Theme and Scripture FHE Lesson and Recipe PDF

Closing Prayer:

Time for Treats!

Easy Sticky Buns

Ingredients:

18 Frozen Dinner Rolls

3-1/2 oz. Package Cook & Serve Butterscotch Pudding Mix

1/2 cup Butter, Melted

1/2 cup Brown Sugar, Packed

1 tsp. Cinnamon

Pecans and Raisins are optional!

Instructions:

Arrange frozen rolls in a greased Bundt pan;

sprinkle with pudding mix and set aside.

Combine butter, brown sugar and cinnamon;

pour over rolls.

Cover tightly with greased aluminum foil and let rise

all day or overnight.

Uncover and bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

Carefully invert onto a serving platter.

Serve warm.

Makes 1-1/2 Dozen!

If You're In A HURRY . . .

Use a muffin tin!

Pour the mixture (above) into each tin.

Place one dinner roll into each of the tins.

Let rise until doubled in size.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes.

Carefully invert pan onto a baking dish.

Serve Warm.

Have a GREAT Night!

Family Activity - Down, Set, Hike!

Time for a game of

Family Football!

I have had to learn alot of boy things since I've been married.

I grew up in a home with 5 sisters and 1 brother,

so football definately wasn't the first thing we thought of doing

if we were planning a family activity.

We ususally ended up shopping or doing some kind of a craft.

(My dad was such a good sport!)

When my boys first suggested football as an idea for an activity,

I have to say, I wasn't jumping up and down with joy, but . . .

I had no idea what I was missing!

I don't know the rules and I'm sure I am mostly making things up

as I go . . . but we always end up laughing our heads off!

Football in the backyard or at the park

is a BLAST . . . and it's FREE!

Instead of a Treat for This Week's Family Activity,

I thought I'd share one of my family's favorite dinners.

Chicken Bacon Ranch . . . Football Style!

Ingredients:

Chicken

I boil and shred my chicken, then add a little

"Pinch of Steak" Seasoning

Lettuce

Ranch Dressing

Provalone Cheese

Tomatoes

Bacon

Butter

and

My FaVoRiTe French Bread Recipe

If you're in a hurry, cold cuts work just as well!

Instructions:

Prepare French Bread Recipe

(It's the French Bread Recipe I posted before!)

When dough is ready, form it in the shape of a football.

Use a knife to cut slits like the football above.

Bake and Cool before cutting.

Cut football like a bun.

Butter the inside of each side of the "football" and broil to toast.

Remove from the oven and add the prepared chicken

and cooked bacon

to one side of the bun and the Provalone cheese to the other side.

Return to the oven and broil until the cheese is melted.

Remove from the oven and add shredded lettuce

and ranch dressing.

You can add tomatoes and peppers if you would like.

We have made this sandwich using sliced roast beef, mushrooms and

provalone cheese . . . super good!

There are lots of options to try.

Go TEAM!