This idea came to me in the grocery store while I was shopping for some wrapping supplies. Can you believe the cost of fancy gift bags and ribbons? Yikes. Completely put off, I headed home, determined to find something that would work just as well.

In the spirit of “brown paper packages tied up with string” I settled on using up a little hem tape, ric-rac, and bias tape to trim this box.

Then I remembered my stash of old buttons. I’m keeping them because “I might really need them later” but really, I’m just keeping them.

These seemed like a close enough match and I found random little felt guys to coordinate. Wrapping angels!

Now, a normal person would KNOW where their 3 glue guns were stored, but I actually had to get out a needle and thread.

Totally insecure about my crafting abilities, the compliments from friends at the baby shower were greatly appreciated.

If you have questions about our temples check out this information from www.mormon.org

This morning, I have a question, well a couple of questions, about Canada.

1. Do you know anyone, relatively near the downtown Toronto area, that would like to have a food storage presentation? I’ll be there during the week of February 6th-11th and I’d like to try adding something to the schedule, if I can. Just tell them to contact me ASAP! (and don’t tell my husband…yet)

2. Do you have any great suggestions for the “must see” while visiting Toronto? I’ve never been to Canada (well, except for one hour at Niagara Falls, 20 years ago) so this is sort of a big deal.

The dressing is so simple and yet I get asked for the recipe every time it’s served:)

I think Sarah found the recipe for the salad dressing somewhere on Pinterest. I found the ingredients in my food storage.

Basic Balsamic Salad Dressing

Storage Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons honey

1-2 tablespoons water

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Blueberries and Pears Spinach Salad

Fresh Ingredients

baby spinach leaves

Gorgonzola cheese crumbles

toasted pine nuts

blueberries

pears, thinly sliced

“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.

Merry Christmas friends!

So, for my own little piece of the Black Friday fun, I’m going to ship three copies to anyone that orders one book on November 25th. If you would like to order more than a single copy, for one day only, I will triple ship on every order I receive. No limits! It’s my happy way of getting around the retail price and hopefully help those who have been interested in buying the book but haven’t been very successful with finding it available in local stores. Grrrr.

Happy Holidays Friends!

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.