“TODAY ONLY they’re 40% off so you can get 100 standard and 100 wide mouth lids for a little over $85.00, shipped. Each lid is a BPA free plastic topper and a rubber ring. You can use them over and over and over, which is awesome!”

http://www.markdown.com/markdown-tattler-lids/?refcode=MjA3NTEzfHw2NHx8OTQwNTl8fDEzMw..

I think Laura is inspired. She had no way of knowing that I’m right smack-dab in the middle of a Canning Skillz Camp. Seriously. We even have matching aprons that say “Bean there, done that!”

It all started because of wonderful Visiting Teachers. When they called (1) at the first of the month to confirm their standing appointment, I told Paula that she’s always welcome to come over and do the sit on the couch thing, but what I REALLY need in addition to hearing the message is her (2) help in learning some new skills. See, I believe our visiting teachers are meant to be a RESOURCE and there’s soooo much I want to learn from these two women.

Paula immediately agreed and offered to (3) share her deluxe 18 quart Pesto pressure canner and quickly teach me a slick method for canning sprouted beans. Later that same day I was talking to a friend, Melanie, in Las Vegas, telling her about my next big adventure in homemaking, and she agreed to drive the 7 hours to be part of the fun. She even sewed and embroidered the matching aprons. Who does that?

On Tuesday, Paula and her equally talented companion, Pam, showed up at my door. One was carrying the (4) Ensign magazine and the other was carrying the canner. Melanie and I had our bottles washed and ready to fill and the cans of dried beans (5) from our food storage were waiting on the counter. The whole lesson, including a beautiful spiritual thought about watch care, took about (6) 30 minutes.

After Paula and Pam left,  Melanie and I dove in and started to (7) do exactly what my visiting teacher taught. Fast forward a couple of days, and we have completed 4 or 5 batches of beans, experimenting with different canning techniques.

Paula’s sprouted beans will be the final adventure on Friday. Right now, those bottles are (8) patiently waiting, covered on the counter, and we’re bathing/draining each one with fresh water every morning and night. There better not be any _ _ _.

So beans have clearly “bean” the focus, but we’re working on (9) other skillz too. We’ve each sewn a couple of infant car seat covers…

and we’ve taken a few runs at braided roll dough. Today there’s going to be some shopping/treasure hunting at NPS. But we’re all about the skillzzzz. I’m continually repenting for not learning MORE of this good stuff from my dear mother.

And speaking of repentance, I just gave my American Express, over the phone, so that Melanie can bring a brand new pressure canner home from the store. Shhhh. It’s going to be a present for Paula. Yup. In exactly two days, I broke the one she’s had for the past eight years.

Doesn’t matter. This week’s experience has been worth every penny, and I only hate myself a little bit. It (10) doesn’t have to be perfect to be of tremendous value.

Right before the holidays, Lizzie had all four impacted wisdom teeth pulled and it was not a fun experience.

In fact, she experienced numerous complications and was down and out for almost two weeks. At one point, of course late at night, the pain was terrible and the meds were making her sick. With the majority of our junk still boxed after our move, I had no idea where I had stashed our heating pad. Somehow, and thankfully, I remembered hearing that you could make homemade heating pads using old socks filled with basic grains or beans. So, while she lay moaning on the sofa, I decided to give it a go.

Mike and I quickly filled the socks using a large canning funnel but I’m sure a regular funnel would have been fine. I’ve also heard that using an empty TP roll makes a ready substitute.

Because the socks weren’t especially long, we closed them with rubber bands, and thought we were ready to go.

“Houston, we have a problem.”

Lizzie continued to moan.

Dang! What is it with me and anything even remotely related to cooking? Turns out I grabbed a pair of not only lace socks, but slightly worn lace socks.

Lesson learned.

“I know! I know! I’m hurrying…and just taking a few more pictures”

Next, I tried these awesome striped babies and was grateful that they only needed a quick knot to get them securely closed. I didn’t know how long to heat them in the microwave, and of course guessed wrong. Turns out 4 minutes is way too long. After the emergency heating pads cooled off, and the smell of burned over-toasted wheat began to fade (a little) we gently…ever so gently…snuggled them up to Lizzie’s Chicken Run cheeks and the little squirt could finally get some sleep. Wish I had not forgotten to take the most important picture.  Oh well. And she’s not really in a gang.

Homegirl’s feeling much better thank you, and those little heat pups were a huge help.

Every day, from Thanksgiving until Christmas, look for ways to show your gratitude for the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Keep some form of journal or record of these joyous, grand, or sometimes simple acts of kindness, and prepare to share one or two of your experiences with friends and family on Christmas Eve.

Here are some examples that come to mind:

*Try to be less of a turkey.

*Add some sparkle.

*Remember a friend in need.

*Share a laugh or two.

*Freely forgive.

*Lend a hand.

*Take time to really listen.

*Give of yourself.

*Help lift the burden.

*Sacrifice for another.

*Contribute.

*Show that you really care.

Beginning on Thanksgiving Day, I’m going to challenge my family to consider all that they are thankful for. You’re probably planning to do the same. But beyond counting our many blessings, I’m going to extend this Thanksgiving challenge and invite them to daily DEMONSTRATE their gratitude.  

Leading up to the Christmas celebration, let’s focus on finding ways to actively reach out, serve, lift, share, love, give, or gladden a heart or two. After all, the blessings of the Savior are what we’re most thankful for.

In fact, the LDS church has substantially LOWERED their prices on pre-packaged, mail order, food storage.

Back in May of 2009, I was thrilled with the fact that a year supply of dry goods, purchased from ”the church” pre-packaged and mailed to any home in the U.S., would cost only $2,079.00. Today, that same storage, over 1,800 lbs. for a family of five, based on normal basic every day foods that most of us already use, lasting 30 years or longer when stored properly, costs only $1,795.00. That means that the price has dropped by $284.00 during the past two and a half years. Who does that??? I’m honestly shocked.

I love this church!

A week or two ago, friends from New York contacted me requesting this information so I’ll share with you, exactly what I’ve shared with them.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE YOUR WHEAT, RICE, BEANS, AND OATS IN THE OH SO NIFTY AND EASY TO MANAGE, NUMBER TEN CANS, SIX TO A CASE, AND THEN HAVE YOUR PERFECTLY PACKAGED FOOD STORAGE CONVENIENTLY, EFFORTLESSLY, AND PROMPTLY DELIVERED TO YOUR FRONT DOOR…

ALL

YOU

NEED

TO

DO

IS

DIAL 1-800-537-5971 They accept all four major credit cards. 

YOU MAY ALSO ORDER ON LINE AT WWW.STORE.LDS.ORG 

Now, for example, if you’re a family of five, you could consider purchasing:

1o cases of pinto beans, approximately 300 lbs, for $407.50

10 cases of quick oats, approximately 160 lbs, for $212.50

20 cases of red wheat, approximately 780 lbs, for $560.00

20 cases of white rice, approximately 680 lbs, for $615.00

Grand total: $1,795.00  for almost 2000 pounds of food !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I need to go lie down.

Hilarious because this costume was originally made for our oldest daughter, Samantha, when she was in kindergarten. I threw it together from scraps of fabric, making up the pattern…on the fly (kmfg) and making sure everything but the feathered headdress was washable, and the dumb thing just keeps going and going and going. I think all five of our girls have used it, one wacky SIL, cousins, friends, and even my mom wore it, bless her heart, when she was about 70 years old and still working at the University of Utah. Mom just loved to dress up for Halloween

This year Lizzie added the rubber gloves, stuffing the toes (fingers) with cotton balls to create the perfect (free) bird feet.

So, for all those moms who have lost sleep sewing costumes, here’s a hug from me! Sometimes things just turn out better than we expected.

Check out Samantha’s blog for her creative costume and latest news! Weeeeeeeeeee!

One thing I learned from writing my own book was that it was a ba-jillion times more difficult than I thought it would be. I assumed it would be easy to just “tell my story” and I was so so wrong. Thankfully, and miraculously, I had awesome help and THAT made all the difference!

Maybe that’s why I think these friends are offering THE PERFECT writing opportunity. The term FAMILY VACATION takes on a whole new meaning when you’re working with Tom and Alison Taylor. You’ll stay in a swanky resort, enjoying incredible surroundings and incredible food. But you’ll also receive expert coaching and personalized assistance in writing your individual story. You will enjoy plenty of time for rest and relaxation AND return home knowing that your personal history will be compiled, professionally bound, and mailed to your home in a couple of weeks. I think that sounds like the ultimate in truly meaningful luxury.

Reading through their information, you’ll see that this ”family vacation”, like all vacations, does cost some money. This is the only vacation I’ve ever heard of that guides participants through the process of COMPLETIING a book. It gets done! If you’re not in the market, maybe you know someone who is. Could this be just the sort of help your parents need? Maybe you should suggest that copies of a loved one’s personal history would be more valuable than sweaters at Christmas time. Maybe it’s a gift they can give to themselves and then share for generations. I think this is a fabulous opportunity and worth every penny of the investment!

Decided to trade in a little of that for a lot more of this.

This section of the web site is where I share what I’m learning about provident living. To me, provident living means living SMART, with better options and better opportunities. Today I want to share what I’ve learned about provident living from my new neighbors. These people have been fantastic examples of choosing the better options and creating better opportunities.

#1. It’s smart to just drop by and offer to help when you see people unloading a truck at a home that was recently for sale. First night we pulled in with a rented U Haul, we had two families, with children of all ages, just drop by to help us unload the very first truck load. We also had a number of cars pull right into our driveway so that they could say hello and welcome us to the neighborhood. That’s such a better way to live!

#2. It’s smart to drop by a new neighbor’s home and introduce yourself. The first couple to knock on our door brought a dozen of their fresh eggs and took the time to stay and chat with us. So basic and yet so generous.

#3. It’s smart to make phone calls and welcome new members to the ward, youth organizations, RS, and priesthood quorums. It was so nice to have someone from our congregation call just to say, “Hey! You’re on our team and we’re glad you’re here!” It was really difficult to leave our previous ward family. The warmth and caring welcome we’ve experienced from this new group of people has been absolutely wonderful. 

#4. It’s smart to welcome a new child/teenager with open arms. Lizzie’s YW leaders knew her name before she was even introduced. They were leaning over the bench in the chapel and extending their hands backed by a posse of girls designated to help the newcomer find the appropriate Sunday School class. On the night of the first Stake Dance, when Lizzie was crying and saying that she wasn’t going to go, her cell phone rang and a new friend from the ward was offering to come pick up Lizzie so that she that she wouldn’t have to brave the crowd on her own.

#5. It’s smart to think about planning some type of simple event to welcome a new child to the neighborhood. Before we even moved in, one of the new neighbors left me a kind phone message where she offered to host a back to school party so that Lizzie could meet more of the youth before the first big day.

#6. It’s smart to invite a new couple out to dinner. Meeting people at church is always a great opportunity. Taking the time and making the extra effort to organize a group date night is so much better. THREE DAYS after our first week at church, two couples invited us out to dinner on a Friday night. We met at a casual little sandwich shop in the neighborhood and enjoyed visiting. We all took turns sharing little bits from our past and laughing at the history.

#7. It’s smart to encourage our children to reach out to the children that move into our neighborhoods. Beyond the big invitation to the dance, Lizzie has received a number of phone calls where girls have invited her to go see a movie, play night games, or just hang out. Each invitation was appreciated so much more than we can say.

#8. It’s smart to organize a little luncheon gathering, inviting all the women in the immediate area, so that the new “sister” can make some new friends. Just yesterday I met about a dozen or more women who had taken time, on what was the first day of school for many of them, to bring their own lunch and hang out for a couple of hours. So simple and so great.

Obviously, we feel very blessed to be here. These people have already taught us so much. It’s smart to reach out and broaden the circle, welcoming people into our lives. It’s a better way to live!

Then, later tonight, one of my daughters sent me this link to the newest Mormon Message. Watch and maybe you’ll recognize one of the couples. I sure did!

(…and those Sloppy Joes he mentions are made with added wheat berries, from food storage. Yup. Recipe’s in the book!)

Children are the very best reason for investing in food storage. No way can we fail these little ones!

From The First Presidency: “We ask that you be wise as you store food and water and build your savings. Do not go to extremes; it is not prudent, for example, to go into debt to establish your food storage all at once. With careful planning, you can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve.”

Just so you know, ordering these starter kits is a WISE way to build a reasonable, highly useable and totally economical food storage. They cost only $31.00 each and can be shipped anywhere in the United States.

Sleep well!