Family History Family Home Evening - Traditions Old and New!

Today's Family History Family Lesson is all about . . .

Traditions!

It has been said that,

"Traditions are the GLUE that Holds Families Together."

I truly believe that to be true!

. . . I LOVE FAMILY TRADITIONS . . .

One day as I was preparing some of the activities for

one of our family traditions, I began to wonder

how long ago our traditions were started,

who started them, and why.

I know that some of the traditions in my home were started

Just for FUN, while others came from a need.

There are lots of different types of traditions.

Holiday,

Family,

and one of the most important,

Spiritual Traditions.

Holiday Traditions are the frosting on the cupcake.

(Probably because they include some seriously sweet treats!)

They are something to look forward to and often bring with them

fun and excitement!

Family Traditions are the one's that have been passed along

from generation to generation.

Family Reunions, Camping Trips, and Family Dinners,

Special Milestone Gifts, and Even Clothing

can be part of this tradition.

The Spiritual Traditions we pass on

are some of the most important ties

we have to family after they have passed on.

These traditions will help to seal us as families

FOREVER!

They are the most important

foundation we can build

strong families on.

Some Spiritual Traditions include:

Scripture Study, Temple Attendance, Journals,

Family History, Family Home Evening, Father's Blessings,

and Family Prayer.

When a family member is Baptized, or Recieves the Priesthood,

Serves a Mission, or is Married in the Temple,

there are alot of FUN things

that happen along the way, and these accomplishments

are truly cause for celebration. 

Just remember to keep focussed on the most

important part of these events

so that you don't get lost in only the fun.

Many of these events are sacred in nature and

should be celebrated with that in mind.

For Example:

If we focus more on the Reception than we do

on the Temple Sealing . . . we are truly missing out on the

most important part of the day.

For Tonight's Family History Lesson

we are going to do a little detective work.

I have created some pages for

you to write your family traditions on.

This will give you the opportunity to track down

some of the

details of your family traditions.

You can list:

Who started them,

When they were started,

as well as Why they were started.

Add photos of your traditions, if you have them.

Include recipes from some of the foods that have been served

at your family meals for as long as you can remember.

The pages in this book can be quite numerous

so you may want to get a binder

JUST FOR YOUR FAMILY TRADITIONS.

(You can add a picture of YOUR Family in the space

on the bottom of the front cover.)

Remember to start and end with prayer,

and as far as the treat goes . . .

Tonight would be a great night to whip up one of

your FAMILY FAVORITES.

Don't forget to take photos of your family enjoying

the treats!

Tonight's Family Home Evening will be

like taking a trip down MEMORY LANE.

Here's the PDF:

Family Traditions Journal Page Packet PDF

Enjoy the Journey!

Vital Records - Video Records!

We're finishing up the last section of the

Housing Information Today!

You'll want to pull out the video camera for this one.

You will be making a visual records of your belongings.

Along with a video record, you will want to

include copies of the appraisals you have had done

on any of your belongings.

Here's the page for that:

Housing Information - Appraisal Records PDF

Make a copy of this page for each appraisal you have.

Place the copies of the appraisals into the clear sheet protectors

along with the copy.

Don't Forget to keep the video record with your

Vital Records Binder.

"That's It!"

We're done with this section.

The next section we will be working on will be the

Insurance Section

Gettin' close to finishing this big fella!!!

Another Halloween Game . . . Just for YOU!

Trick OR Treat?

Here's What You'll Need To Play This Game:

Some Treats

and

The "Trick or Treat" Cards!
Valerie came up with the cute
"Tricks"Challenges and Game Idea.
She was nice enough to let me do the cover so that I could use
this "Boo-tiful" Game!
Thank You . . . Thank You . . . Thank You!
This is what you'll find on one side of the card . . .

This is just one of the things you'll find on the other side

of the card.  Each card will have something different

on this side.

You will either get a "TRICK" card . . .

or a "TREAT" card.

An Instruction Card has also been included

so that you know how to play the game

and how to put it together!

Here's the PDF:

Trick or Treat Game Cards PDF

HALLOWEEN

 is just around the corner,

SOOO EXCITING!

Food Storage Meals and Menu Planning - Follow Up Recipe!

Here's the Follow-Up Recipe to the use with the

Roll Mix!

1 3/4 cups Steaming Hot Tap Water

(120-130 degrees)

1/2 cup Oil

2 Tbsp. Dried Whole Egg, Sifted

1 Tbsp. Instant Yeast

4 1/2 -6 cups Roll Mix

Instructions:

Pour hot tap water into large bowl.

Whisk in oil and egg.

Stir in 2 cups Roll Mix.

Stir in 1 more cup of Roll Mix and yeast.

Add remaining mix as needed to make a soft dough.

Knead dough 5 minutes by hand until smooth.

(3 minutes in bread mixer, adding mix until dough no longer sticks to the sides of the bowl.)

Place smooth side down in lightly oiled bowl;

Turn dough smooth side up.

(This oils the top of the dough.)

Cover with a damp towel;

Let rise in warm place about 40 minutes, until doubled in size.

Punch dough down.

Divide into 16-24 rolls.

Form rolls and place in two greased 9-inch round pans

or one 9x13-inch pan.

Cover; let rise in a warm place until about doubled.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Bake 20-25 minutes until browned.

Makes 16-24 rolls.

Here's the PDF:

Food Storage Meals and Menu Planning - Breads: Roll Recipe PDF

If you have never tried using a

bread or roll mix,

I'm thinkin' it might be time.

They are AWESOME!!!

Food Storage Meals and Menu Planning - Dessert:

Today's Dessert Menu:

Fast Drop Doughnuts!

Here's the Recipe:

2 cups Roll Mix

(Recipe Included Below)

1/4 cup Sugar

2 Tbsp. Dried Whole Egg, Sifted

1 1/2 tsp. Baking Powder

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1/4 tsp. Nutmeg

1 cup + 2 Tbsp. Reconstituted Dry Milk

1 3/4 tsp. Vanilla

Oil

Instructions:

Whisk together dry ingredients;

Stir in milk and vanilla just until combined.

Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls into hot oil.

(325 degrees)

Cook for 2-3 minutes;

Turn once until lightly browned on both sides.

Drain on paper towel and roll in cinnamon sugar.

Variation:

Instead of cinnamon sugar,

you can glaze the doughnuts instead.

Makes about 25-30 Doughnuts.

Here's the Recipe for the Roll Mix:

9 cups Whole Wheat Flour

9 cups White Flour

1 cup Sugar

1 cup Instant Dry Milk

2 Tbsp. Salt

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients together will in a large bowl.

Store in a cool dry place in an airtight container.

Label and date; use within 10-12 weeks.

Makes about 20 cups of mix.

For regular non-instant dry milk . . .

(this is what you get at the dry pack cannery)

Add an additional 2 Tbsp. to mix above.

Variation:

This mix can be made with all whole wheat flour.

Here's the PDF:

Food Storage Meals and Menu Planner - Dessert: Fast Drop Doughnuts and Roll Mix Recipe PDF

Mmmmm-arvelous!

P.S.

I'll post the recipe instructions for the rolls later today,

along with ANOTHER FUN Halloween Idea!

I Can't Wait!

Holy Cow!

I think during pregnancy
I must have given each of my children some
very important parts of my brain

BECAUSE

It's gone I tell you  . . . GONE!

You're probably wondering, "What in the Good Night is up!"

Well . . . (brief uncomfortable pause . . .)

I have been driving around with the PRIZES for the last

contest in my car, for . . . FOREVER!

My Emergency Car Kit fell over and was

laying over the top of them.

I didn't even remember that I hadn't sent them

until I got an email from a very sweet person,

a WINNER for that matter,

wondering where her prize was.

(Thank YOU by the way!)

How EMBARRASING!

So First off, I ask for your forgiveness,

Second, I'm adding a little "SOM SOM" extra to your prize,

and Third, I just need one more thing from YOU,

and I'll send them for real this time.

I need YOUR ADDRESSES!

I must have thrown the paper with the addresses away.

I can't find it anywhere.

GONE I TELL YOU . . . GONE!!!

Thank YOU for being soooo patient.

You're all ROCK STARS in my book!

Preserve It . . . Canning Corner - Peach Pit Jelly!

Peach Season is in full swing!

Bottled peaches, peach jam, and . . .

Peach Pit Jelly!

If you've never had it, IT'S AMAZING and it's made

using the skins and pits of the peaches.

The color is BEAUTIFUL . . . seriously,

I think that's my favorite part!

Don't you just love it when you skin the last peach

and add it to your jar?

DONE AT LAST is what you're probably thinking . . . at least that's what I'm thinking!

Just when you were ready to take off that apron

and throw those old peach skins and pits away

so that you can go soak in a much needed bubble bath . . .

STOP!

YOU'RE NOT DONE!

You see that huge garbage pile of skins and pits staring you in the face?

Don't start crying . . . this sweet little delicacy is worth

just a little more of your time in the kitchen!

Peach pit jelly is DELISH!

Here's the Recipe:

Keep all of your skins and pits.

You can even use the bruised or over-ripe peaches for this part!

Put them into a pot and cover them with water.

Bring this to a boil and then turn it down to a simmer 

for about 20 minutes.

Pour the juice through a colander into a large bowl.

Discard the pits and skins at this point.

Pour the peach juice through a colander lined with cheese cloth.

Each batch will take:

5 cups of Peach Juice

1 package of Sure Jell Pectin

and

7 cups of Sugar

Bring the sugar and pectin to a boil.

Add sugar slowly and return to a boil for 1 minute.

Remove the jelly from the heat and remove the foam.

Pour jelly into clean jars.

Wipe the rim of the jar before adding new hot lids.

Tighten the canning ring to finger tight.

Process in a water-bath canner for 15 minutes.

Listen for the lids to pop and you're done!

Here's the PDF:

Preserve It . . . Canning Corner - Peach Pit Jelly Recipe PDF

Sooooo Good!

You'll be glad you did it!

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!

Preparedness Project - Holiday Prep!

This project isn't really an

Emergency Preparedness Project,

but it will help to get you

PREPARED for the HOLIDAYS!

HALLOWEEN

to be exact!

Have you ever heard of the game . . . Don't Eat Frank?

All you need to play the game is a

package of small halloween candies like M&M's or Candy Corn,

and the Game Cards.

I'll supply the game pieces . . . YOU supply the candy!

This is a great game for classroom parties.

Divide the class into groups or if stick together as one group if

you are playing as a family.

Put a piece of candy on each of the squares on the card.

Have one peson leave the room.

The rest of the group will choose one of the

Halloween caracters to be "FRANK".

The person can come back into to the room.

He or she can eat the candy from the card until they get to the

square that was chosen to be "FRANK".

As soon as they go to pick up that piece of candy

every will yell, "DON'T EAT FRANK!" and their turn is over.

Let everyone in the group take a turn.

Each time they leave the room the rest of the group

will choose a NEW FRANK!

It's a Super Fun and Super Easy

way to keep EVERYONE entertained!

Here's the PDF:

"Don't Eat Frank!" Game Cards PDF

Game cards need to be CUT and LAMINATED!

More Halloween Fun to Come!!!

Da Da Da Daaaa . . . . Drum Roll Please!

The Simply Soups

Recipe Book PDF

Is FINALLY Here!

Now if we could just get the Vital Records CD

we'd be in good shape!

Here's a link to the Simply Soups Recipe Book Post:

Simply Soups Recipe Book Link

ENJOY!!!

Ark Prep 101 - Things Change When Emergencies Hit Close to Home!

Photo By:  James Wray

The fire in Herriman was a 

sad reminder of just how quickly

things can go from a regular day

to an

EMERGENCY SITUATION.

We were in the Cove Fort Fire in 2007.

We had gone to visit my husband's parents

who were serving their mission in that area.

The fire that at first seemed so far away,

surrounded us in a matter of minutes.

The campground was filled with smoke which

made the evacuation even more difficult.

We had to load up the camper and evacuate

the area very quickly. 

I think the scariest moment was when my oldest

son left the motorhome just as we were ready

to drive off.  He was worried about his grandma

having to drive alone in her car, so he had

gone to ride with her without telling any of us

about his plan.

Thankfully everyone was ok.

We learned a lot that day!

I know that I posted the "Grab 'n Go" List a while ago,

but this just seemed like a good time to bring it out again.

(Thanks goes to Natalie for thinking of it!)

Here's the PDF:

Emergency Grab 'N Go List PDF

{Post this list on the door of a coat closet or somewhere EASY to get to!}

Remember, to practice, practice, practice!

Give everyone his or her assignments and then

walk them through and show them exactly what to do.

The list is broken down into different times.

Sometimes you have only minutes

and other times you may have up to an hour.

In a Emergency Situation

EVERY MINUTE COUNTS.

WITH A PLAN . . .

YOU WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE THE MOST

OF EVERY MINUTE!

Family Home Evening Board Pricing!

The Prices have been
Added to the

Family Home Evening
Board Post.

Check them out here:

Family Home Evening Board Link
Woot . . . Woot!

For the Strength of Youth Family Home Evening: Hold to the Rod!

I LOVE THIS ONE!

In fact, this was one of the themes I used with my family

a few years ago.

I had pictures taken of my family holding tightly

to the rod and put the words:

"NEVER LET GO!"

as the caption for the photo.

I made a wallet-sized copy for everyone.

I was thinking about the gospel yesterday, and some of the

things I love most about it.

Knowing that I have a loving Heavenly Father

who sent His Son to be my Savior brings me great peace,

and if I hold to His words . . . I know I will never be lost.

The rod, if held tightly will lead me through whatever

storms or trials the world has to offer.

It will lead me when I can't see my way

and will guide me safely home.

So what exactly is "The Rod?"

We know that it is THE WORD OF GOD,

but do our children know?

Tonight for Family Home Evening Review Lehi's Dream.

Take some time to explain

each of the parts of the dream.

1 Nephi 8-9

Lehi had another dream.

In this dream, Heavenly Father showed him many wonderful things.

In the dream, Lehi follow an angel to a dark, empty place.

Lehi was scared and decided to pray.

He asked Heavenly Father to help him.

After the prayer, Lehi saw a beautiful tree.

It had white fruit hanging from its branches.

Lehi ate one of the fruits.  The fruit was so delicious

that Lehi's soul filled with joy.

Lehi wanted to give some of the fruit to his family, but he could

not find them.  He looked for them.

As he looked, he saw a river near the tree.

He looked along the river and saw Sariah with

Sam and Nephi.

They were standing where the river began. 

Lehi called to them, and they came and ate

some of the fruit.

Lehi wanted Lamen and Lemuel to eat some of he fruit, too.

He looked until he found them.  He told them about the fruit,

but they would not come to eat it.

Lehi saw a large group of people standing at the

beginning of the river.

They were trying to walk along a path at the edge of the river.

Some of them got lost in a dark cloud which hid part of the path.

Some of the people walked through the cloud and were not lost.

Lehi watched those people and saw that they were holding

onto an iron rod which ran along the path.

The iron rod helped them walk through the dark cloud

to the tree.  There they ate the fruit.

Lehi heard a noise.  He turned and saw a large and

spacious building on the other side of the river.

The building was filled with people.

These people were laughing and making fun of the

people who were eating the fruit.

Some of the people eating the fruit listened to the people

in the building.  They left the tree and joined the

laughing people in the building.

Lehi told his family about his dream.

They did not understand what the dream meant.

What do you thing Lehi's dream meant?

 How could you find out?

Read, Study, and Pray just as Nephi did!

1 Nephi 10-15

Nephi wanted to understand his father's dream.

He knew that Heavenly Father answers prayers, so he

decided to pray for understanding.

After Nephi finished praying, he saw the vision, too.

In this vision, an angel showed him all of the things

that Lehi had seen.  The angel also told him what the

dream meant.

When Nephi asked about the tree, the angel

showed him visions of Jesus' life.  He told Nephi that

the tree was a symbol of the Love of God, which

Jesus would share with the world.

Nephi also learned that the iron rod represented

the Word of God, which is the Gospel. 

The river stood for the wickedness of the world, and

the dark cloud stood for the teachings of Satan.

The large building was filled with the people who did

not believe in the gospel.

These people were proud and wicked.

They tried to get the good people to come into the building.

They wanted to turn the good people into bad people.

The good people walked along the path and held

onto the iron rod.

This meant that they "held on" to the Word of God

to help get through the dark clouds of their lives.

The gospel helps us to be happy and peaceful

when times are good.

When the good people got to the tree,

they ate the fruit and were happy.

This meant that they shared the Love of God.

God loved them for doing what was right.

They were happy when they knew that

Heavenly Father loved them.

Questions:

What represented the Word of God?

Who was in the large and spacious building?

What did the river represent?

What does it mean to "Hold to the Rod?"

What represented the Love of God?

What represented the teachings of Satan?

Activity:

Have each of the members of your family

put on a blind fold.

Have one person hold the rope at one end. 

Tie the other end to a tree.

 The rope will be represent the iron rod.

Let each person in your family take a turn

holding onto the rod and following it to the tree.

Have the other family members try

to get them to come away from the rod,

and to laugh at them as they stumble along.

Dad can represent Lehi and encourage

them to "NEVER LET GO!"

After they get to the tree, give them a big hug

and a sweet treat.

Bear your testimony about the importance of holding on

as tightly as you can, so that you can stay on the

path that will lead you back to our Heavenly Father's presence.

End with Prayer.

Take pictures during the activity and add them to your

Family Home Evening Journal.

As far as the TREAT goes for FHE . . .

Choose some of their favorite

candy bars to give at the tree!

Here's the PDF:

Mormonad - Get a Grip and NEVER LET GO FHE Lesson PDF

Have a great night!

(I'm sorry this one is so late,

I saved it as a draft instead of publishing it!)

Vital Records -

Today's Household Information Includes:

A Copy of Your Property Tax Bill

as well as a

Copy of the Land Survey

and

Title Policy

Place each of the pages into clear page protectors.

Slide a copy of each of the items listed into the page protector.

If you own more than one property, remember to

include the information for each.

Only one assignment left to go in the Household Section!

Here's the PDF:

Vital Records Household Packet 3 PDF

So close to finishing this project!

Whah Who!

Food Storage Meals and Menu Planning - Dinner: Goulash!

Today's Dinner Menu Is:

Here's the Recipe:

Ingredients:

Serves 10 – 12

2 lb Hamburger

Or

(1 quart bottled hamburger!)

8 oz Elbow Macaroni

1 TBS olive oil

1 onion – chopped

OR

(1/2 cup dehydrated onions, rehydrated)

3 cloves garlic – finely chopped

1 tsp paprika

salt and pepper to taste

14 oz can green beans – drained

11 oz can corn – drained

1 1/2 to 2 cups Marinara Sauce

(you can add canned diced tomatoes if preferred)

1 to 2 TBS Worcestershire Sauce

Instructions:

Follow directions on the box of Elbow Macaroni to cook al dente.

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Add the beans and corn to a large casserole dish.

Heat a skillet over medium high and cook your hamburger until just browned.

Drain all fat and add to the casserole dish holding the beans and corn.

Mix in the cooked macaroni, the paprika,

salt and pepper to taste, the Marinara sauce and the Worcestershire sauce.

Heat olive oil in skillet over medium high heat and add the onions.

Cook 4 minutes then add the garlic.

Remove and add to the mixture in your casserole dish.

Mix all together really well.

Here's the PDF:

Food Storage Meals and Menu Planner - Dinner: Goulash Recipe PDF

This is actually a great food storage recipe.

Not only is it fast, easy and one of the all-time great

comfort foods . . . but it is also completely shelf-stable!

AWE . . . . SOME!