Prepared NOT Scared!

February 2012 Newsletter!

2012-01-27T17:06:00.004-07:00

The Focus for February Will Be:

72 Hour Kits

and

Finances

Page 1

Page 2

Here's the Stake Version PDF:

2012 February Newsletter Packet PDF

Here's the Prepared Not Scared Version PDF:

2012 February Prepared Not Scared Newsletter Packet PDF

Don't Forget to...

Keep working to complete your

PREPAREDNESS GOALS

for

January

You still have a few more days!

The Dry Pack Focus for February is:

Dehydrated Carrots!

I'll be posting some YUMMY recipes in the next

couple of days!

They're Here . . . Are YOU Ready?

2012-01-26T10:19:00.002-07:00

Last year I told you about a

DAILY

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

ASSIGNMENT

I had prepared for YOU!

It was supposed to start on January 1st of this year

but because of my computer virus'

it was a little delayed.

(2 Nephi 2:11 should sum things up!)

It's MY scripture!

Anyway...

I'm going to post a week's worth of assignments

at a time until I get caught up and
then I will post one a day.

Here's the one for January 1st!

Take a few minutes if you haven't already to write

your goals down.

Don't Forget to include the family...

"Many hands make light work!"

January 2nd:

Awwww...

A New Notebook!

Just the thought of it brings pure JoY!

I added a cover to my black notebook.

Here's the PDF:

My Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness Notebook PDF

January 3rd:

Write this down in your notebook

and make a plan!

Here's are a few a links from earlier posts I did on

Food Storage in Small Spaces:

Food Storage In Small Spaces 1

Food Storage In Small Spaces 2

January 4th:

This is one of my FaVoRiTe Scriptures!
Add this scripture to your notebook.
What does EVERY NEEDFUL THING mean to YOU?
Work as a FaMiLy to make...
Prayer
Fasting
Faith
Learning
Order
and
Preparing Every Needful Thing
a priority in your HoMe!
January 5th:

The 3 Box System is EASY!
Set aside 30 minutes a day to DECLUTTER.
In that 30 minutes you will need to make decisions fast.
Give Away, Put Away or Throw Away.
Each item will belong in one of the boxes.
Don't spend too much time thinking about it.
The more time you spend, the more likely you are to
keep something that you don't really NEED.
Know the difference between a NEED vs. a WANT.
Don't put things away as you go.
It will take more time and the chances of getting
distracted along the way are not worth it.
Take the "Give Away" stuff to the car.
Don't let it sit in your home! Little by little
the clutter will find it's way out of the bag
and back into your life.
I've had the opportunity to go into a lot of homes
to organize.
We are overwhelmed!
We have gone from keeping the basics...to well beyond
in our spending or collecting.
I have seen first hand as I work with women
that the STUFF has not made them happier.
Everything we bring into our homes
will demand our attention.
Decide BEFORE you go to the store,
what THINGS are really worth your time!
Be strong and remember...
LESS IS truly MORE!
January 6th:

MAKE YOUR KIDS A PART OF THE
DECLUTTERING PROCESS!
Teach them how to live simply.
Just 10 things to start with and then go from there.
Incentives always make the process more FuN!
Are you still breathing....?
Just one more!
January 7th:

That's it for today!
Are you worn right out?
Remember:
It's not a race,
It's more like a marathon...
Pace Yourself and EnJOY the Process!

2012 Goal Pages

2012-01-13T04:00:00.002-07:00

2012 Goal Pages are Here!

They come in 2 different sizes and styles:

8 1/2 x 11

5x7

and 8 1/2 x 11

Note:

We made this style into a placemat.

It was a great way to keep our goals in mind!

Laminate the placemats so that

they can be wiped off easily!

Here are the PDF Files:

2012 Goal Page Packet 8 1/2 x 11 PDF

2012 Goal Page Packet 5 x 7 PDF

2012 Goal Page Packet 8 1/2 x 11 Option 2 PDF

Here's the Link to the FHE Goal Night Post:
Family History FHE Goals Lesson PDF

Have a GREAT Night!

Young Women...

2012-01-12T16:56:00.001-07:00

This was something I was working on for the

Young Women just before I was released

and put into my

Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness calling.

It's a fun way to get to know the young women

and it's a great reference for birthdays.

The testimony card will be a treasure

that can be used for New Beginnings.

It's also a great gift for the parents!

We were planning on giving a copy to the

Young Woman and to her parents when she

graduated from mutual!

Here it is:

Cover Page

Information Page

Photo Page

Testimony Page

Just for FuN Pages

Cut cards and attach them to blank index cards.

Cards can be kept in a Recipe Box

or can be hole punched and held together with

C-rings. Ribbons look way cute tied to the c-rings.

Add photos and memories to the ME cards

throughout the year.

The cards can be put together in a book

to be given to the graduating girls or as a Christmas Gift

at the end of the year!

For Birthdays...

Each of the girls can write a special memory

or something they love about that particular young woman.

These pages can be shared with the mutual group

and then added to the book and kept to give later.

Here's the PDF:

All About Me Packet PDF

This would be a

FuN Getting To Know YOU Activity!

Address Cards!

2012-01-12T16:17:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd share

My Address Book!

Here it is...

Cover and Back Page

Emergency Contacts and Numbers Cards

Tabbed Alphabet Cards

Blank Address Cards

I cut the cards out and put them together with

C-rings. I just punched 2 holes in the bottom.

I laminated the front and back covers.

You can also use a Roladex!

Just cut the cards and slide them onto the

Roladex runners!

Cute and Easy...Just the way I like it!

Here's the PDF:

Address Book Packet PDF

Pictures coming soon!

Vital Records Supply List

2012-01-11T08:24:00.000-07:00

Vital Records Purchase List:

3-inch 3-ring Binder

(You get 2 for about the price of 1 at Costco and Sam's)

Page Protectors

(You can get a box of 100 at Costco or Sam's)

Divided Page Protectors

(For Family Pictures)

Business Card Page Protectors

2 - Zipper Pouches

(For Quick Cash, Notebook, Pens and Pencils)

CD Protectors

Sharpie Markers

Small Notebook

Carry Case

(Look for a bag or purse that will hold the FILLED binder.)

You can start with just a binder, page protectors

and the zipper pouches.

The rest can be purchased a little at a time.

Check on-line as well.

I found several stores that offered free shipping.

Watch for weekly assignments

and reminders!

Sanitation!

2012-01-10T09:21:00.013-07:00

This is the handout mentioned in the

January Newsletter!

Ahhh . . . The Portable Toilet!

I can't tell you how many times I have put this

"Big Fella" off.

Not because a New UN-USED Portable Toilet is grose

by any means . . . some of the information I get to share

with you however, is NOT for the Faint-of-Heart!

Sooooo, Here We Go . . .

First we'll start with the picture:

Here they are all put together!

Super Cute Huh?!?

(I added the flowers for that little special touch!)

Here are the Toilet Label and Instructions for Use PDF:

Sanitation Information and Portable Toilet Labels
I created new labels...just to keep things fresh!
In gray...

and in blue.

New Labels and A Condensed Instruction Page

New Sanitation Packet PDF
Make a copy of the instruction page for each of the
Emergency Toilets you put together.
Store it inside for a quick reference.

You Will Need:

5-6 Gallon Bucket (At least 2)

Luggable Lu Toilet Cover

(Snap-on type toilet seat with lid.)

12 Plastic Liners

(Garbage Bags)

4 Pairs of Rubber Gloves

2 Rolls of Toilet Paper

Disinfectant:

Liquid Chlorine bleach, Nilogel Clean-Up Gel,

Pinesol, Powdered Laundry Soap,

Powdered Chlorinated Lime

(Hydrated Lime)

Available at the building supply stores. It can be used dry.

Be sure to get chlorinated lime and not quick lime which is

highly alkaline and corrosive.

1 Bottle of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide

Box of Baking Soda

1/2 Gallon of White Vinegar

1 Large Bottle of Hand Sanitizer

1 Roll Paper Towels

1 Pkg. Baby Wipes

1 2-Liter Bottle of Water

6-10 Gallon Container with tight fitting lid

A Supply of Old Newspapers for Wrapping Garbage

2-3 Spray Bottles

Feminine Hygiene Items

Now for the Good Stuff:

Are you wondering what this is?

It's a Portable Jane!

It works as a "Seperation Device."

To seperate what you might ask . . . ?

Well, you don't want to mix #1 with #2 when you are using

the toilets. Yep, you have to keep the two seperate!

(Notice the color-coded numbers?)

Mixing the two with no water could be toxic.

Here's the link if you are interested in purchasing your own:

Portable John/Jane

Portable John with the Jane Adapter Link

(That's one reason I decided a "Hers" Toilet might

be a good idea! The boys don't really need a seperate

seperation device . . . they're already equipted!)

Please Make Sure YOU Read the Entire Instruction Sheet.

It has soooo much important information on it!

(Thanks for the help Sherrie!)

This little project would be high on my "To Do List."

It's definately something I don't want to be without!

Happy Flushing!

January 2012 Powdered Milk Recipes

2012-01-09T10:17:00.001-07:00

Each month I will be focusing on

one of the Dry Pack Cannery Ingredients.

January's Focus is:

NON-FAT DRY MILK!

I know the thought of drinking powdered milk

is probably not something your super excited about

but the possibilities are endless!

Adding powdered milk to your food storage will

give you tons more options and it's perfect for baking!

Just think...

Lion House Rolls

Tootsie Rolls

Cheese

Sweetened Condensed Milk

Baby Formula

Yogurt

Cream Soups

Whipped Topping

and

Pudding...Just to name a few!

Here's the PDF:

Powdered Milk Recipes Packet PDF

Here's what the recipe pages look like:

Note:

You don't have to print the pages in color.

Just go to your printer settings and you

can print in black and white.

The January 2012 Newsletter is HERE!

2012-01-09T08:50:00.002-07:00

This big fella

should have been posted in December...

but because of the lovely virus' I downloaded

none of the pages I created were actually saved to my

external hard-drive! I'm still trying to find out where

they ended up! I have Backblaze and that should

have saved everything, but the virus seemed to do a lot

of rerouting! Patience must be something this

ole' girl needs to learn!

Anyway... I am in the process of retyping

EVERYTHING all over again!

No worries though,

I kept a rough-draft of everything so it

shouldn't take as long as it did the first time!

YAY!?!

Here's the Newsletter for December:

Page 1

Page 2

Here's the PDF:

January 2012 Newsletter Packet PDF

Revised PDF:

Revised January 2012 Newsletter Packet PDF

I changed the newsletter a little after the storm

we had. The focus on the revised newsletter is

Heat and Light instead of Water.

The change only affected page 1.

Each Newsletter will include:

Words from the Prophet's and Apostles

A Food Storage Focus for the Month

A Safety Check

A Back to the Basics Challenge

The Primary Theme and Scripture

Vital Records Assignments

Purchase Recommendations

as well as

A Dry Pack Cannery Ingredient Information Page

and Recipes to go along with that ingredient!

The goal is to...

JUST TO SOMETHING EVERYDAY!

It doesn't have to be big or cost money!

Learn how to cook with your food storage.

Gather the supplies you already have around the house

Put things in order.

Make a plan for different emergencies

and practice with your family.

Hold regular family prayer and study the scriptures.

Attend the Temple.

Doing something everyday...

no matter how big or small is better than the

worry that comes from doing nothing

and hoping for the best!

Upcoming Gardening Class!

2011-12-30T14:34:00.003-07:00

Jane Jensen will be teaching her

Gardening Classes

starting on

Tuesday

January 10th at 10:00 am.
The classes will go for 10 weeks.

She is an AMAZING gardener...

to say the least and her classes are

FREE!

Please email me if you are interested

in taking the class and

I'll get you signed up:

smithest1989@hotmail.com
The classes will be held in Fruit Heights, Utah.
I will be checking with Jane to see if I can
post the information she offers at the class for
those of you who are a little too far away to attend.

I took the classes last year and it was

worth every minute!

Where in the world is Tricia and those looooonnnnngggg awaited Bingo games?

2011-12-14T10:39:00.002-07:00

Hey there everyone! It's Valerie. If you are hearing from me then you know Tricia has once again downloaded a virus. I swear that girl and her computer is virus heaven. Annnnnnyyyyyywwwwaaaayyyyy, it's at the computer store and being fixed. Until then you are just going to have to wait even further.

The PDF's will be added to the Bingo game original post sometime today by me. No guarantees about the time.

The Legend of the Candy Cane!

2011-12-13T13:59:00.000-07:00

Neighbor Gift #4

The Legend of the Candy Cane!

Attach the tag to a box of candy canes!

Here's the PDF:

Legend of the Candy Cane Packet PDF

I will be posting a letter from Santa next,

just a heads up so the littles aren't around

when you open it up!

The M&M Christmas Story!

2011-12-13T11:00:00.001-07:00

Neighbor Gift #3

The M&M Christmas Story

Attach the tag to a bag of M&M's!

Here's the PDF:

The M&M Christmas Story PDF

Still pluggin' away!

The Christmas Blanket!

2011-12-13T09:16:00.001-07:00

Neighbor Gift #2:

It's the Christmas Blanket!

The Christmas Blanket

May the warmth of this Christmas Blanket

Keep you safe and well.

May the SPIRIT of the season

In your hearts begin to swell.

You are friends we love and cherish,

And we hope this year you’ll find

The special peace that Christmas brings.

It is truly one of a kind.

We hope you like this blanket

It’s our Christmas gift to you!

May it WARM your hearts and homes,

Now... and All Year Through.

We thank you for your kindness.

We have one thing left to say,

Merry Christmas friends and neighbors.

Have a Happy Holiday!

With Love,

P.S. This blanket is perfect for your

72 hour kits!

Tricia O. Smith

Attach the tag to a blanket

and you're good to go!

You can find fleece blankets for around $3.00 now!

Here's the PDF:

The Christmas Blanket PDF

Stay tuned...

Merry Christmas to All Our Deer Friends!

2011-12-13T08:17:00.001-07:00

I will be posting

Neighborhood Gift Ideas

throughout the day today.

Some are old....and some are NEW!

Here's the First:

Attach the tag to a bag of...

Chocolate Covered Raisins or Almonds

Whoppers

Chocolate Chips

No Bake Cookies

Hershey Kisses

(Anything that resembles Reindeer Droppings will be Perfect!)

I put mine in a pint jar with a ribbon!

Here's the PDF:

Merry Christmas to All Our Deer Friends PDF

For those of you

who would like to avoid

Reindeer Poop altogether....

Here is a more ReFiNeD version:

You can attach this tag to:

Microwave Popcorn

2 Liter Bottle of Pop

Caramel Popcorn

or a great

FOOD STORAGE OPTION

would be...

A Bag of Unpopped Popcorn Kernels!

Both tags are on the same PDF.

More to Come....

And YES, the Bingo Games are in the line up!

Can I get a

Woot...Woot!

(An "It's about time" works too!)

2012 Journal Pages!

2011-12-12T11:37:00.004-07:00

The 2012 Journal Pages Are Ready...

With A Few NEW Additions!

I've added:

Happy Birthday Pages

Anniversary Pages

New Baby's First Year Monthly Journal Pages!
NOTE:
This would be a way fun baby gift,
just print them and have them spiral bound.
Add a bow and WahLah!
New Mommies will love being able to QUICKLY
(because we all know, new mom's have no time)
write a few of the month's highlights and
add some pics of the new little one!
Each month will have a Picture Page and a Journal Page.
Here they are...
It's A Boy

One Month....

through 1 Year!

It's A Girl!

One Month...

through 1 Year!

Here are the 2012 Journal Pages:

There is a blank page and a lined page

for each month!

I also did a second set of December Pages.

Here are the PDF Files:

2012 Journal Packet PDF
Baby Boy Pages PDF:
Baby Boy Journal Page Packet PDF
Baby Girl Pages PDF:
Baby Girl Journal Page Packet PDF

I'm also working on pages for:

My Baptism

My Testimony

My Goals
Scripture Journals
Conference Journals
Baby Milestones Pages

and

School Pages

The 2012 Calendars Are Here!

2011-12-10T08:21:00.000-07:00

Here they are....

the new 2012 Calendars!

Here's the PDF:

2012 Calendar Packet PDF

I'm still working on the Portrait Calendars.

My computer got it's yearly...

just in time for Christmas, VIRUS!

Posting has been a bit of a challenge

for the last week and a half.

Thank You for being patient....

especially with the Bingo Games.

They are my first priority!!!

Thankfully I had Backblaze and I didn't lose

any of my files.

Christmas Jars!

2011-12-06T11:06:00.003-07:00

After reading the book,
"Christmas Jars"

I decided

that I wanted to take the opportunity with

my family
to give as the Savior did.

I wanted my boys to have a selfless Christmas.

What an amazing year it turned out to be!

We read the book as a family

and then started filling jars for our neighbors.

Each jar contained 1 roll of pennies....

that was it!

We added a poem to the jar so that

the neighbor's wouldn't be left to wonder

what the purpose of a gift of 100 pennies meant.

Here's the Poem:
A jar of pennies JUST FOR YOU . . .
we really went all out!
But the real meaning of this gift
IS WHAT CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT!
A pocket full of change, can be a
heavy thing to pack . . .
So just place it in this little jar,
and remember - NOT TO TAKE IT BACK!
When filled, this jar can CHANGE THE HEART
of someone who is in need.
The story is told in “Christmas Jars”
a book you’ll definitely want to read.
Jars are given in SECRET . . .
NO ONE MUST EVER KNOW,
just where their CHRISTMAS JAR came from,
or the next place it may go.
So we hope this year you’ll FILL YOUR JAR,
AND SEND IT ON IT’S WAY . . .
To follow the Savior’s example,
and make Christmas HIS HOLIDAY!
May the TRUE meaning of Christmas
be with you throughout the year!
Tricia O. Smith

Here's the PDF:

Christmas Jars Labels Green PDF

Green Gift Tag:

Here's the PDF:

Christmas Jars Labels Red PDF

Gift Tag:

Here's the PDF:

Christmas Jars Labels Blue PDF

Gift Tag

Here's the PDF for the Gift Tags:

Christmas Jars Gift Tags PDF

I tied a ribbon to the neck of the jar

and added the gift tag.

.....

This was one of my

favorite neighborhood gifts to give

because I knew it had the potential to

BLESS

the lives of others in need.

It was truly a blessing for my family!
.....

Santa's Reindeer!

2011-12-05T17:40:00.003-07:00

Help Santa hitch up his team of reindeer!

Good ole' Santa has been busy building toys

and wrapping presents....

No time to hitch up his team of reindeer.

He needs your help to get the reindeer ready to go!

To play this game you will need:

A Wooden Ruler

(I got mine at the Dollar Store - 2 for $1.00!)

2 Dice

18 Clothes Pins

Spray Paint

(White, Black, Green, or Red)

Hot Glue Gun or Double Sided Tape

Mod Podge

Sponge Brush

and

The Printed PDF: Cut and Laminated

Here's the HOW TO:

Cut out the reindeer.

I left a little bit of a white edge around the whole reindeer.

Laminate the reindeer.

Attach the reindeer to the clothespins using hot glue

or double sided tape.

Spray paint the ruler and attach the ruler border

with Mod Podge and a sponge brush.

That's It!

You're Ready to PLAY!

To Play the GAME . . .

Roll the dice.

If you get a 5, you get to clip your #5 reindeer to Santa's Sleigh...

or the painted ruler!

Take turns between players.

Each turn gets 1 roll.

The first one to get all of Santa's Reindeer

hooked up to the sleigh. . .

WINS!

Here's the PDF:

Santa's Reindeer Game PDF

Print one set for each player!

Stay Tuned...

Lots more to post!

12 Days of Food Storage!

2011-12-03T00:25:00.002-07:00

FOOD STORAGE for CHRISTMAS....

Does it get any better?

I say, "NO!"

What a BLESSING this gift would be!

I'm serious!

You all know I have a testimony of food storage.

(At least I hope you do!)

It has been a blessing in my life many times!

The 12 Days of Food Storage

is a FuN way to give your FaMiLy

something that will really matter

and it will give you the opportunity to bear

testimony of it's importance.

This is what they look like:

Here's the PDF:

12 Days of Food Storage Christmas Packet PDF

I got the food in #10 cans from the

LDS Drypack Cannery.

It's the best price and you can buy

the wheat, rice, beans, and oats already

in the cans now, AND it's the same price!

LoVe the cannery...YOU should go!

The Nativity Play!

2011-12-02T18:59:00.003-07:00

Christmas Eve

is my FAVORITE part of Christmas!

I get so ExCiTeD I can hardly stand it.

I love Traditions and Christmas Eve seems to

have some of the best ones.

Our Christmas Eve Traditions consist of:

Games and Prizes

Amazing Food

A Visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus

The Christmas Eve P.J. Parade

and then the

BEST PART OF ALL....

The Nativity Play

followed by our

Secret Santa Delivery

and an

All Night Hallmark Movie Marathon

Slumber Party with the boys!

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!

I created a new Nativity Set for this one,

and I have to say, IT'S MY FAVORITE!

So here it is, page by page:

Here's the PDF:

The Nativity Story Packet PDF

We have the kids in the family dress up

and read their parts.

For FHE I made a second set.

This one is one that can be held with little hands

and moved around.

Here they are...

Here's the PDF:

Nativity Pieces Packet PDF

Bethlehem and Stable Packet PDF

The pieces can be Mod Podged to wood or chipboard.

This would be a fun gift for Visiting Teaching and

Home Teaching.

You could cut and laminate the pieces. Attach a magnent

on the back and use it with a magnetic board, you could
print on magnetic paper. You could
attach them to tongue depressors, or
you could just give them a copy of the story.

Lots of possibilities!

The planner is coming...I PROMISE!
I just had to find a missing piece,
and today I did!
We had a lot of clean up after the serious wind storm
we had here in Farmington...but we are all still
standing and the power is back on so we
can go back to work!
Woot...Woot!

Don't Eat.....!

2011-12-01T06:59:00.004-07:00

You can fill in the blank on this game!

Don't Eat...

You choose a different one of Santa's reindeer

EVERYTIME!

To Play the Game You Will Need:

Candy
and
The "Don't Eat....!" Cards - Laminated

You Can Use:

M&M's

Skittles
Gum Drops

Whoppers

Chocolate Covered Raisins

(Reindeer Droppings)

Or any other pieced candy you can think of!

This is a great game for classroom parties.

To Play The Game:

Divide the class into groups or stay 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

Santa's Reindeer.

Once you've made your choice,

the person can come back into to the room.

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

Reindeer that was chosen!
As soon as they go to pick up that piece of candy

every will yell, "DON'T EAT _______!"

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 different Reindeer!

Here's the PDF:

"Don't Eat the Reindeer!" Packet PDF

It comes in an 8 1/2 x 11 or 5x7.

I will also be posting a...

Don't Eat the ELF!

Here's the PDF:

"Don't Eat the Elf!" Packet PDF

and

Don't Eat Santa's Cookies!

Here's the PDF:

"Don't Eat Santa's Cookies!" Packet PDF

I'm still working on the Bingo Game PDF files.
They will be up shortly...
We had some serious wind today and no power!
It was a great time to practice a little
Emergency Preparedness!
Good Times!!!

Silent Night Bingo!

2011-11-30T17:34:00.004-07:00

. . . BiNgO . . .

Is One Of Our FaVoRiTe Holiday Traditions!

We seriously love it!

Truth be told, it's probably the Dollar Store prizes that keep us

coming back for more!

For Christmas I created two different

versions of the game.

The Silent Night Bingo is perfect for

Family Home Evening and Family Parties.

The Jingo Bingo is perfect for School Parties.

Don't forget to yell, JINGO instead of Bingo

when you win or it doesn't count!

You will also be seeing a preschool version

of each!

Follow the...STAR

Follow the Star PDF

and

HO...HO...HO!

(This one is more like Tic Tac Toe, but the little one's won't know!)
It's perfect for short attention spans!

Ho Ho Ho PDF

You have to say, "HO...HO...HO"...when you
get 3 in a row!
You have to yell the title of each game for it to count!
I'm working on the PDF files as we speak!

It'll be just a minute.

Christmas Memory Game!

2011-11-29T15:47:00.005-07:00

The Silent Night Memory Game

is a great way to talk to your "littles" about

the TRUE MEANING of Christmas.

I was able to use mine for a Primary Sharing Time.

When they got the match...

I had the child read the Story Card
that goes with that picture.

Here's what they look like:

Each of the Memory Game Cards

will have a front and a back.

The back side of all of the cards will have

this picture:

The other side will have two of each of the other pictures

shown below.

This is what the Story Cards look like:

I keep these and when a match is made,

I hand it to the one who got the match to read.

Instructions:

Cards can be printed with a front and back side

and laminated,

or they can be printed and attached to

chipboard using Mod Podge and
a sponge brush to attach them.

You can use a wet erase marker to write

numbers on the stars of the back pieces
when the game is played in Primary.
When you're done...just wipe them off
and start with a fresh set of numbers
every time you play.

Here's the Memory Game PDF:
Nativity Memory Game Packet PDF
Nativity Story Cards PDF:

Nativity Story Cards Packet PDF
Here's the rest of the Packet:
Nativity Story Cards Addition Packet PDF
(Thanks You Melanie!)
I almost forgot Mary and the Inn Keeper.

More to come...

The December V.T. Message and Christmas Planner

will be up tonight

I HOPE!

Neighborhood Block Plan!

2011-11-27T21:27:00.000-07:00

I have to say before we get started,

this is not a 1 hour project!

This one will take some time to put together,

BUT...

It will be worth every minute you invest in it!

The peace of mind that will come

with this preparation is worth it for sure!

That being said, lets get started.

I decided to give you a little at a time.

It can be a little overwhelming if you get all of

the information at once.

Your assignment this week is to gather:

A Map of Your Neighborhood

(This map will include ALL of the houses in your ward boundries

whether they are members or not.)

My ward was just divided and so I will be

going through this process right along with you!

YAY?

(Just kidding....I'm excited!)
I will be taking pictures of each of the houses

in our ward boundries

so that I can make a more personalized map

BUT this is not necessary!

It is a FuN way to get
the people in your neighborhood
interested in preparedness.
Who knows....you might even find neighbors
willing to help with this project!
Here's the PDF File for that:
Neighborhood Block Plan PDF Packet 1
Here are a few things to
keep in mind when creating
your Neighborhood Block Plan:
Each BLOCK will consist of
10 HOMES.
1 BLOCK CAPTAIN will be
assigned to each BLOCK.
Each BLOCK will be assigned
a NUMBER.

Block Captains Photo's will be added to this page.
This will be a great help in an emergency.
That should do if for today!
I will be posting the rest of the information
throughout the month of December.
My hope is to be ready to start
practice drills in January or February!

Pin the Nose on Rudolph!

2011-11-26T23:45:00.001-07:00

It doesn't matter
what you're pinning

to what....

It's always fun to
put on a blindfold and have

someone turn you in circles
until you're DiZzY
and then just...
Let YOU Go!

I love to hear all the giggles as noses get

stuck to ears and cheeks.
There's nothing I love more than
a good case of the giggles!
(The uncontrolable giggles are the BEST!)

This game is perfect for:
School Parties, Ward Parties, Family Parties
and Family Home Evening!
It comes in two sizes:

8 1/2 x 11 and 11x17.

To Play:

Laminate

Cut

and

Use some painters tape to attach Rudolph's nose.

Here's the PDF:

8 1/2 x 11

Pin the Nose on Rudolph PDF 1

11x17
Pin the Nose on Rudolph PDF 2
Tomorrow I will be posting the
Neighborhood Block Plan...Finally!

Bowling for Reindeer!

2011-11-25T14:25:00.001-07:00

We had so much fun with the Turkey Bowl

I decided to do a

Bowling for Reindeer!

I ended up making two different reindeer

so you can choose which one you like best!

I'll post both the pdf files!

Here's the 1st one:

This one has all the Reindeer and Santa...

Here's the PDF:

Bowling for Reindeer Set 1 Packet PDF

Here's the 2nd Set:

It's just a little more simple, but you will still copy

9 Reindeer and 1 Santa...

Here's the PDF:

Bowling for Reindeer Set 2 Packet PDF

To play the game you will need:

10 Bottled Waters

The Printed PDF

Double-sided Tape

and

A Grapefruit-sized Ball

Instructions:

Cut

Laminate

Remove the labels from the water bottles.

Wrap the papers around the water bottles where the lables

used to be and you're good to BOWL!

(I used the double-sided tape to attach the labels.)

I will be posting my Christmas Organizer

in the morning!

It should help make this season

a lot more FuN!

I have a post a day until Christmas....

Hope you're ready!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T07:57:00.000-07:00

Yay! It's finally here!

HaPpY ThAnKsGiViNg

Everyone!

I made a last minute game that I

thought I would pass along...

It's a TURKEY BOWL!

. . . or . . .

Bowling for Turkey's!

Here's the PDF:

Turkey Bowl Packet PDF

To play the game you will need:

10 Bottled Waters

The Printed PDF

Double-sided Tape

and

A Grapefruit-sized Ball

Instructions:

Cut

Laminate

Remove the labels from the water bottles.

Wrap the papers around the water bottles where the lables

used to be and you're good to BOWL!

(I used the double-sided tape to attach the turkey labels.)

The kids...young and old will love this one!

Have A GREAT Day!

November Visiting Teaching Message!

2011-11-22T10:51:00.000-07:00

I'm running a little late on my Visiting Teaching

this month, but my thoughts have been

with the cute sisters I get to visit with all month.

Isn't that the way it always goes?

You think of them all month, but day after day

gets by us without a call or a visit.

I'm hoping that they will still be able to feel

of my love and gratitude for them...

even if it is the coming close to the end of the month!

November is the month when we get to

choose our own topic from the Conference Messages

to use for our Visiting Teaching.

They were all sooo AMAZING,

I couldn't choose!

So....

I put together a little booklet of tags

with a few of my favorites.

Here they are:

(Cover Page)

(Conference Talk Tags)

There are 22 Conference Talk Tags

A Front Cover

and

A Back Cover

Here's the PDF:

November Visiting Teaching Packet PDF

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3

Page 4

Page 5

Page 6

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

It's the MOST GRATEFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!

2011-11-05T16:04:00.008-06:00

I love NOVEMBER!

Not only is it my birthday month,
(Woot...Woot!)

but it's the one time of the year we get to just...

BE THANKFUL!

Here's a fun way to display what you are thankful for as a family.

It's a Gratitude Banner!

Here's what you'll need to do:

Print...Laminate...Cut...

and Attach the banner pieces to a ribbon!

You can use hot glue, or colored staples to attach the

banner pieces to the ribbon.

Leave extra ribbon on each of the sides so you can

hang it up.

Each day have each of the members of your family write what

they are grateful for on one of the fall leaves which are

included in the Give Thanks Banner Packet!

The leaves can be clipped to the banner

using glitter covered clothes pins.
I used the medium sized clothes pins, but
the larger ones look cute too!

By the time Thanksgiving

comes around,

your banner

will be filled with blessings!

Here's the PDF:

Give Thanks Banner Packet PDF

To make clothespins you will need:

Glitter

Aqua Net Hair Spray

Modpodge

and

A Sponge Brush

Instuctions:

Paint one side of the clothespin with Modpodge.

Sprinkle glitter while it's wet.

Allow to dry.

Spray with Aqua Net to keep glitter in place!

More to come!

Trick or Treat....Smell my Feet!

2011-10-19T22:39:00.001-06:00

I got an email request a week or so ago

asking for a

"Trick or Treat...Smell My Feet"

Gift Tag

(Which was a great idea by the way...Thanks Monica!)
Here it is:

I also made a smaller size that can be used as

Cupcake Toppers!

Here's the PDF:

Halloween Gift Tags and Cupcake Toppers PDF
I also did one that just says,
"Trick or Treat . . . Smell my Feet!"
(Repeated)

Here's that PDF:
Halloween Gift Tags and Cupcake Toppers 2 PDF

Happy ALMOST Halloween Everyone!

Halloween Posts!

2011-10-13T18:22:00.001-06:00

Just thought I would make finding

the Halloween Links a little easier!

We'll start with...

BOO!

(The Preschool Version of Bingo)

Original Post Link:

Boo Bingo Post

Here's the PDF:

Boo PDF 1

Boo PDF 2

Boo PDF 3

Boo Calling Cards PDF

Next Up...

Visiting Teaching Poem

Original Post Link:

V.T. Ghost Poem

Here's the PDF:

Ghost Poem PDF

SpOoKy Eyes Dice Game

Original Post Link:

SpOoKy Eyes Dice Game

Here's the PDF:

SpoOkY Eyes Dice Game PDF

Time for a Ghost Hunt

Original Post Link:

Ghost in the Grave Yard, Boo-ling, Ghost Hunt, Ghost Story Dice, and Ghost Suckers Post

Here's the PDF:

Ghost Hunt Packet PDF

Ghost Story Dice

Same link as the Ghost Hunt

Here's the PDF:

Ghost Story Dice PDF

White Chocolate Ghost Suckers

Same link as the Ghost Hunt

Pin the Teeth on Dracula

Original Post Link:

Dracula's Teeth

Here's the PDF:

Pin the Teeth on Dracula PDF

Pin the Wart on Wanda the Witch

Original Post Link:

Wanda Witch's Warts

Here's the PDF:

Pin the Wart's on Wanda Witch PDF
Here's the Wart PDF:
Wanda's Witches Wart's PDF
Pumpkin....Pumpkin, Who's Got the Pumpkin?

Original Post Link:

Pumpkin....Pumpkin

Here's the PDF:

Pumpkin...Pumpkin Game PDF

SpOoKs the Spider Game

Original Post Link:

SpOoKs the Spider Game

Here's the PDF:

SpOoKs the Spider Game PDF

Vampires in the Dark

Original Post Link:

Vampire's at Dark

Here's the PDF:

Vampire's at Dark Game PDF

Halloween Scavenger Hunt

Original Post Link:

Scavenger Hunt

Here's the PDF:

Halloween Scavenger Hunt Game PDF

Trick or Treat Game
Original Post Link:
Trick or Treat Game

Here's the PDF:
Trick or Treat Game PDF
Don't Eat Frank

Original Post Link:

Don't Eat Frank Game

Here's the PDF:

Don't Eat Frank Game PDF

SpOoK Bingo Game

Original Post Link:

SpOoK Bingo Game

Here are the PDF Files:

PDF 1
PDF 2
PDF 3
Calling Cards PDF
Spider Suckers

Original Post Link:

Spider Suckers

Spiders on a String Halloween Party Game

Original Post Link:

FHE Spider's on a String

Halloween Decor

Original Post Link:
Ghastly Ghost Decor
Daytime

Night Time

Lighted Ghosts
Original Post Link:
Ghost

Night Time

Spooky Spiders
Original Post Link:
Spooky Spider

Halloween Countdown
Original Post Link:
Halloween Countdown Box

SpOoKy Jar Labels

Here's the PDF:

(I'm still looking for this one....should have it on by tonight!)
Note:

Review the Media Fire Tutorial if you have
any questions on how to download the PDF Files
from here!
Phewwww....that should make things a lot easier!
HAPPY HAUNTING!

October 2011 Visiting Teaching Message!

2011-10-06T18:57:00.003-06:00

It's Here!

I don't know if it's just because I have 4 boys or what,

but this is one of my favorite scripture stories.

(My boys love it as much as I do!)

As a mother, I feel like I am waging a war against

the adversary EVERYDAY...ALL DAY!

Our children need to be stronger than ever

and that means we as mother's and father's have to

work even harder to prepare them.
We have now established the...
Stripling Warrior Training Zone

(Or maybe it should be called a BOOT CAMP!)
in our home.

In Sister Beck's Message

she challenged us to...

"LIVE OUR COVENANTS WITH PRECISION."

She gave some examples of what we can do:

and

As we strive to be precise

in each of these areas, we can with exactness,

be on target with what the Lord would have us do.

I cut and copied each of the cards and then

tied them together with a piece of jute.

I stuck a skewer into a pumpkin and slid the tied

cards on the part that was sticking out of the pumpkin.

Here's the PDF:

October 2011 V.T. Message Packet PDF

If you would like an 8 1/2 x 11 size...

Here's that PDF:

October 2011 V.T. Message Large Packet PDF

Our ward declared October as Visiting Teaching Month!

Our Challenge:

Make a personal visit with each of your sisters

BEFORE the end of the month!

We can do this.

On your mark, get set...

GO!!!

MediaFire Tutorial!

2011-10-05T10:19:00.004-06:00

....NOTICE...
I just talked to Valerie and she set me
straight on the All Access Pass.
It's only an All Access Pass to ME!
Here I was thinking that I had just made everything
SO EASY!
It was only easy for me because I am always
logged into MediaFire.
I had no idea it wouldn't work the same for you.
GOOD NEWS THOUGH
You can still have access to ALL of the files
but you will have to go to the side bar, on the top right of my blog,
under the title that says "Past PDF's for the 2010 year".
Folder 1 is the very start of the blog
and the folders continue chronologically from there.
If you click on a folder it will take you to the Media Fire
site where all my files under that folder are listed.
Here is where you can do an individual search for what you want.
The instructions are the same as far as how
MediaFire works, it just won't let
you search all of the folders at once.
The folders are saved in the order of the blog,
so if you are looking for a Halloween idea,
you would look in folder 4 or 5.
I'm soooo sorry for the headaches
but hopefully this will solve the problem!
THANK YOU FOR BEING
SO PATIENT!
My dad always told me,
"Blessed are the FLEXIBLE . . . for they shall bend and NOT BREAK!"
What a wise and cute man!
. . . . .

I'm not sure why....but everytime I try to comment

on the blog, it won't let me.

This whole time I've been thinking we were having

the greatest conversations, only to find out,

I've just been talking to myself!

(Happens all the time!)

AAahhhhhhh!

So now you know why I never respond

to your questions or comments!
I'm just technology challenged!
I'm sure it's an easy fix, BUT I can't figure it out to save my life.
(I'll keep trying though!)
In the meantime we can work on...
Finding those missing files!

MediaFire is a little tricky to use at first

so I thought a little tutorial would help!

(My friend V-bybes gave me the same tutorial and it helped tons!)

Thank Ya Bybes!

If you click on the

Folders on the top right side,
it will pull up a "SEARCH" box for that folder.

It has the magnifying glass.

Type the title of the file you are searching for into the box.

From there it will pull up any of the files I have with the same title.

Click on the file you want to download and it will

pull up a YELLOW BOX that says
"PROCESSING DOWNLOAD REQUEST"

When it's ready, it will say:

"CLICK HERE TO START DOWNLOAD REQUEST FROM MEDIAFIRE"

Once you have clicked on the YELLOW BOX,

it will ask you if you want to "OPEN" or "SAVE"

Click "OPEN" and your file will load.

You may need to wait a second for the larger files to load,

but they should all be there.
. . . . .
I will be posting the
October Visiting Teaching Message
sometime tonight!
What a GREAT message...I can't wait!

No More Lost Files.....I Hope!

2011-09-21T08:36:00.000-06:00

I'm giving you an

ALL ACCESS PASS

to every file I have ever posted!

The google group I used in the beginning

of this blog to store my files....is no longer in service,

but THANKS to my good friend

Valerie's insight,

THEY HAVE BEEN SAVED

AND SAFELY STORED

with Mediafire!

YAY!!!

Here's the Link:

ALL ACCESS PASS FOLDER LINK

You may have to do an individual search in each of the

folders, but you should be able to find what you are

looking for in just a couple of clicks!

THANK YOU

for being so patient with me,

and

THANK YOU

for you sweet comments!

YOU ARE TRULY THE BEST!!!

The September Visiting Teaching Message Is Here!

2011-08-29T14:24:00.004-06:00

This month's message is

AMAZING!

We all have our

"TO DO LISTS"

in fact, most of our lists never seem to end...

BUT are the things on OUR LISTS the things

that are really going to bring us closer

to the SPIRIT and OUR FAMILIES?

If we want to grow closer as families we can't lose focus!

If we fill our lists to quickly with things that have no value,

we lose the opportunity to work on the things

that matter most....

We have to keep an ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE

when we are making our lists,
by doing so we will allow the Spirit to work in

our HOMES and in our HEARTS!
Elder M. Russell Ballard asked this question:
"What can we do to better prepare our children spiritually
for their eternal roles?"
"Perhaps the most inclusive answer is:
Teach them how to live the principles of the gospel."
This teaching comes through...
Daily Prayer
Scripture Study
and Family Mealtimes
as well as
Family Home Evening
and
Church Attendance.
"We prepare each day, right now, for eternal life.
If we are not preparing for eternal life,
we are preparing for something less,
perhaps something far less."
..........

Here's This Month's Message:

I've included a:

Spiritual To Do List

This would be fun to laminate so that

your sisters can use it daily with a dry erase marker.

This Apple Pie Recipe is DELISH!

I'm also including a Blank Check List

for your sisters to use along with their

Spiritual Checklist!

Here's the PDF:

September 2011 Visiting Teaching Packet PDF

Here's a Larger Version:

September Visiting Teaching Packet 2 PDF

(I lost my glasses, so I printed a larger version for myself....

the other one was so small it gave me a headache when I tried to read it.)

I'm going to give my sisters a bag of apples

with this month's message.

Hope your sisters are all doing well!

The Next Set of Journal Pages are HERE!

2011-08-28T17:02:00.002-06:00

Time is FLYING by!

I can't believe August is almost over and
FALL IS ON THE WAY.

My missionary countdown is the only thing

that seems to be at a stand still.

He's doing great though, so no complaints here!

......

Here are the Journal Pages for

September

Lined

Blank

October

Lined

Blank

October 2

Lined

Blank

November

Lined

Blank

and

December
Lined

Blank

Here's the PDF:

Fall to Winter Journal Packet PDF

Enjoy!!!

Visiting Teaching Message for August!

2011-08-04T08:06:00.003-06:00

Here it is.....

And it's not even the end of the month!

Woot...Woot!

It comes with a Watermelon Smoothie Recipe Card

and

The Visiting Teaching Message for August.

Here's the PDF:
August 2011 Visiting Teaching Message Packet PDF

I found a small seedless watermelon to give with the message,

but you could also use:

Sour Watermelon Candies,

Green and Pink Jelly Beans,

Watermelon Licorice.

...YOU COULD EVEN...

Invite them over to whip up a Watermelon Smoothie

with you and your companion!

Ranches 3rd Ward

Don't Forget:

The Relief Society Temple Trip

Friday, August 5th.

Meet at the church at 6:50am.

We will be attending the 7:30 am session.

See YOU There!

July Visiting Teaching Message

2011-07-27T10:30:00.002-06:00

I know that July is about as close

to over as it can get,

but . . .

THERE IS STILL TIME

to do your Visiting Teaching

if you haven't yet!

Hopefully this will help!

Just print, cut and tie the cards together

with a piece of ribbon.

Attach a Wet Erase Marker to the ribbon

along with a mini loaf of wheat bread and you're

good to go!

If you don't have time to make the bread....

You can fill a cellophane bag with some wheat

WHICH I'M SURE YOU HAVE,

cause you're Prepared NOT Scared . . . . RIGHT?!?

Attach the cards to the bag of wheat

to put it all together.... and WAH-LAH, you've created

a BEAUTIFUL message for your sistas!

Cover Page

Message

Recipe

Ward Temple Night Planner

Laminate this page and add a magnet.

Your sisters can use a Wet Erase Marker to mark the date

and time for each month's Ward Temple Night!

Here's the PDF:

July Visiting Teaching Packet PDF

Here's the Salt Lake City Temple Packet PDF:
SLC Temple July VT Packet PDF

I'll add some pics as soon as I pull my bread out of the oven!

My Gospel Standards!

2011-07-22T09:49:00.002-06:00

You've seen this one before,
although it has changed a little.
I've had several requests for 8 1/2 x 11 sized

My Gospel Standards Cards
(Marvelous idea BTW....Glad YOU ALL thought of it!
This size should be alot easier for the primary kids to see.)

Here's the PDF:

My Gospel Standards 8 1/2 X 11 Size PDF

Here's a link to the original post:

My Gospel Standards Memory Game Post

Hope your Sharing Time Presentations turn out

GREAT!

June, July and August Journal Pages are HERE!

2011-06-07T17:01:00.003-06:00

HOLY COW!

I can't believe it's already a week into

June and I haven't added the journal pages!

I think that the health problems my missionary has had

are somewhat under control for a minute and so

hopefully things will get back to "NORMAL"

if there really is such a thing!

Here are the pages......Thanks for being so patient!

I had now idea what kind of blessings we would see
with a missionary out in the field.
So far......THERE HAS NOT BEEN A DULL MOMENT!

June Lined Page PDF:

June Fill-In-The-Blank Lined Journal Page PDF

June Blank Page PDF:

June Blank Fill-In-The-Blank Journal Page PDF

July Lined Journal Page PDF:

July Fill-In-The-Blank Lined Journal Page PDF

July Blank Journal Page PDF:

July Blank Fill-In-The-Blank Journal Page PDF

August Lined Journal Page PDF:

August Fill-In-The-Blank Lined Journal Page PDF

August Blank Journal Page PDF:

August Blank Fill-In-The-Blank Journal Page PDF

I've been really working on a New Program for my stake calling

(which still has to do with my FaVoRiTe topic.....Food Storage and Preparedness!)

Can't wait to share it with you!

Have a great day!

P.S.

OK, so in my post about my missionary going to

the same place as his friend, our Bishop's son,

and

our neighbor.

Guess What?!?

They're COMPANIOINS!!!!

Thanks to ALL the amazing people in Florida

for taking such great care of them!

They are LOVING IT!!!

Elder Smith and Elder Janke

(My Saturday's Warrior "Humble Way Now" Missionaries!)

Print Friendly Recipe Pages!

2011-05-10T07:19:00.000-06:00

The recipe pages I posted yesterday use a lot of colored ink....

Soooooo Sorry!

I'm posting the same recipes today but with a white center,

as well as a black and white version.

Hopefully that will help!

Here's the New Version:

Here's the PDF:

Mix Recipes White Background Packet 1 PDF

The recipes will still have a color behind the white background.

Blue is for Cakes

Green is for Cookies

Orange is for Brownies

Yellow is for Non-Meat

Tan is for Chicken

Red is for Beef

Here's the Black and White Version:

Here's the PDF:

Mixes Packet 1 Black and White Version PDF

This one is SUPER print friendly!

I will be leaving the Jar Labels and Jar Lid Covers

Colored, but you can always print in black and white,

just go into settings and you can change it there.

Recipe Book Cover!

2011-05-09T15:32:00.001-06:00

I will be keeping my recipes in a 3-ring binder

and I will be adding recipes as often as I can.

Just in case you would like to do the same

I've made covers for the...

Front

Back

and Spine.

Here's the PDF:

Recipe Book Covers PDF

Tabbed Pages Are On The Way!

The Relief Society Meeting Recipes Are Here!

2011-05-09T10:01:00.002-06:00

Thanks to EVERYONE who helped

prepare the MIXES for Thursday's Taster Class.

The food was WONDERFUL!!!

Here are the recipes:

Crumb Cake Mix

Cowboy Cookies Mix

Friendship Brownie Mix

Old Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese Mix

Chicken and Rice Casserole Mix

Skillet Lasagna

Here's the PDF:

Mixes Packet 1 PDF

Mixes are a great way to USE the
FOOD YOU HAVE STORED.
They're great for camping, new mothers,
to use as meals for anyone who is sick, to take to
the sisters you visit teach, and they are a
PERFECT way to rotate your food storage!
They don't take up very much space either.
I'M LOVIN' THE MIXES!!!

The Drypack Cannery offers many of the ingredients

you will need for mixes at a very good price.
Jar Labels and Lid Labels

Are On The Way!
Here's the PDF:
Mixes Packet Extras PDF

Powdered Milk Recipes Coming Soon!

May Journal Pages!

2011-05-01T08:01:00.001-06:00

The May Journal Pages Are Here!

Lined:

Blank:

Here's the PDF:

May Journal Page PDF

May Lined Journal Page PDF

It was great to see so many

of you at the Preparedness Fair

yesterday!

It was AWESOME!

A SPECIAL THANK YOU

TO A FEW OF MY FAVE'S:

Teri Fuller, Liz Fuller, Angie Rigdon,

Debi Hepworth,

and Amy (sorry, I didn't get your last name)!

You girls are sooo stinkin' cute!

Thanks for making my day!

BYU Women's Conference Journal!

2011-04-27T16:30:00.002-06:00

I'm sure this is coming late for most of you,

but I promised .... and Smith's don't break promises!!!
Here's the BYU Women's Conference Journal

Cover

Journal Page

Journal Page 2

Back

Binder Spine Covers

Here's the PDF:

BYU Women's Conference Journal Packet PDF

(I added page 2 if you noticed it was missing in the first PDF!)

Hope you have a GREAT time at the Conference!!!

Up-Coming Preparedness Fair!

2011-04-14T16:44:00.002-06:00

I LOVE going to the Fair!

The kind of fair I'm talking about

doesn't have anything deep fried, cow pied,
or crash up derbified.

This fair has . . . FREEZE DRIED!

Even better, right?!?

It's the Fruit Heights

TRI-CITY PREPAREDNESS FAIR!

WOOT...WOOT!

It makes me so happy to be able to talk to

other people about what they are doing to become

better prepared.

The date is April 30th

from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

901 South Mountain Road LDS Church

and if you're looking to purchase preparedness items,

the Presbyterian Church across the street

796 South Mountain Road

will have venders.

The focus for the LDS Church will be:

Home Storage

Food and Non-Food Items

72 Hour Kits

Sanitation

Alternative Cooking

Fuels

and TONS MORE!

Here's the Flyer:

Tri-City Preparedness Fair Flyer PDF

I will be hosting a booth on Powdered Milk.

Woot .... Woot!

Hope to see YOU there!

Camp Kitchen Organizer!

2011-04-13T04:24:00.006-06:00

Today's Project

is a

Camp Kitchen Organizer!

My friend Crystal Cheney shared it with me

and I have to tell you...

This thing is AWESOME!

It's a great way to organize

EVERYTHING

you will need to cook and prepare meals . . .
OUTDOORS!

Here's What You'll Need:
A Tool Organizer
There are a couple difference types.
One will fit over and around the top of a 5-gallon bucket.
The other looks like the one in the picture above.
Either one will work great.
(She found the one in the picture at Home Depot.)
You will also need Cooking Supplies.
Check through your drawers for extras, or purchase
a few things each month.
The dividers make it nice for organizing:
Spatulas
Tongs
Spices and Seasonings
Salt and Pepper
Spoons
Basters
Knives
Ladles
Measuring Cups and Spoons
Egg Timer
Hot Pads
Kitchen Shears
Funnel
and whatever else you use in your kitchen!
It will hold everything you need
but the kitchen sink!!!

Easy and Efficient
and in an Emergency Situation
I have a feeling this would come in
pretty handy!
...Thanks Crystal...

Thanks to the Hoytsville Girls

for letting me hang out with you last night.

What a GREAT group of LADIES!

WOW . . . This is AWESOME!!!

2011-04-12T22:36:00.008-06:00

I just saw a link to this video on the

Sugardoodles Facebook Page.

(That Melanie is the BEST!)

It was truly inspired and amazing!

Way to Go . . . Irvine Stake!

Their Message:

Get It

Learn How To Use It

and then

Go Beyond Just the Needs of Your Own Family

So That YOU Will Be Able To Bless Others As Well.

Heed the Prophets Council,

Exercise Faith,

and

GET IT!

Start at the very beginning . . .

2011-04-12T07:19:00.001-06:00

I would encourage those of you who are new to this blog,

to start from the very beginning.

Almost every day in 2010

I posted something that you could do

to help

PREPARE YOUR FAMILY

both SPIRITUALLY and TEMPORALLY.

This year has been CrAzY for me and I

haven't been able to post as regularly as I would like,

but being PREPARED and helping others to

become better prepared is so important to me.

I hope you will take the time to review

last year's posts.

Up-date your kits, practice fire safety,

earthquake safety, and emergency evacuations,

as well as practicing provident living.

I only have 8 more days until my oldest son leaves

for his mission. WOWWIE!

I'm hoping life will settle back into some kind

of a routine shortly after so that I can get back to posting

on a regular basis!

When that happens . . .

You Can Look Forward To Seeing:

The rest of the Bag Meals,

Family Home Evening Lessons,

Preparedness Projects,

Food Storage Recipes,

Family Activities,

Date Night Ideas,

Gardening, Dehydrating, and Sprouting Hints,

Practical Preparedness Plans,

Organizing Hints and Helps,

More with Vital Records,

and

Holiday Games and Ideas.

I truly believe that becoming prepared is a process.

Make it a part of your day...

EVERYDAY!

Each day we can do something.

It doesn't have to be an all day event.

It can be as easy as... checking the batteries in your

flashlight or taking a few minutes to collect

some important documents.

Starting in May

I will give be posting a

Preparedness Assignment Each Day.

365 ASSIGNMENTS IN ALL!

Are YOU up for the Challenge?

I can't wait!!!

Check back later for an AMAZING IDEA

that I got from my friend Crystal Cheney!

(Who by the way . . . is a PREPAREDNESS ROCKSTAR!)

It's EASY and CLEVER!

The PDF Files are READY!!!

2011-04-07T11:15:00.002-06:00

Bunny Bingo

5x7 PDF:

Bunny Bingo 5x7 Packet PDF

Bunny Bingo

11 x 8 1/2 PDF:

Bunny Bingo 11 x 8 1/2 Packet PDF

Bunny...Bunny...Who's Got the Bunny?

Bunny Bunny PDF Small Token:

Bunny Bunny Small Token PDF

Bunny Bunny Large Token:

Bunny Bunny Large Token PDF

Print this file on crack n' peel.

Cut the pictures and attach them to a wooden disc.

They are available at any craft store.

Play the game like Button Button!

Tic Tac CRACK!

5x7 PDF:

Tic Tac CRACK Packet PDF

8 1/2 x 11 PDF:

Full Page Tic Tack CRACK Packet PDF

Print, Laminate, and Cut out Tic Tac Toe Pieces.

Sticky back velcro can be added to each of the squares

and each of the pieces.

Make sure to put all of the hook sides of the velcro on the board

and all the loop sides of the velcro on the pieces.

Played like Tic Tac Toe!

Don't Eat Peep!

5x7 PDF:

Don't Eat Peep Packet PDF

8 1/2 x 11 PDF:

Full Page Don't Eat Peep Packet PDF

My Conference Journal

with Speakers Pictures!

Here's the PDF:

My Conference Journal with Speakers PDF

Thanks Valerie!

These pages include pictures of speakers from

Saturday Morning through Sunday Afternoon Speakers.

It also includes the Priesthood Session and the

Young Women's General Meeting.

HOP!

5x7 PDF:

(In Process!)

8 1/2 x 11 PDF:

(In Process!)

12 More BUNNY Cards are on the way

along with

12 More HOP! Cards.

Have a GREAT Day!

Don't Eat Peep!

2011-04-05T19:41:00.004-06:00

This game is about as
EASY
as it gets!

You Will Need:

1 Game Card per Group

and

Some Easter Candy!

Instructions:

Print, Laminate and Cut Game Cards.
Here's How To Play:

Have one person in the group

leave the room.

The rest of the people in the group will

choose one of the PEEPS in the squares

on the game card.

A piece of candy will be placed on each

of the squares.

Everyone calls the person back into the room.

That person gets to eat the candy from each square

until . . .

They get to the CHOSEN PEEP!

As soon as they get to that square

everyone yells,

"DON'T EAT PEEP!"

and their turn is over.
A new person gets to take a turn,

a new peep is chosen,

and the process is repeated!

Your Little One's will LOVE this game!!!

Here's the PDF:

Don't Eat Peep 5x7 PDF

Don't Eat Peep 8 1/2 x 11 PDF

Thanks Valerie!

Nobody can do a PDF like YOU!

Here It Is!

2011-04-05T17:42:00.007-06:00

The BUNNY BINGO is ready!!!

Game Cards:

(Includes 12 Cards)
...AND...
Just in case you need a few more,
I'm in the process of adding 12 more cards!

Calling Cards
come in 8 1/2 x 11 and 5x7 size!

Page 1:

Page 2:

Page 3:

Here's the PDF:

(I'm just taking the files over to Valerie's so I can get a better PDF!)
It will be up shortly!

Instructions:

Print, Laminate, and Cut.

That's It!

Use Jelly Beans to mark the cards

and you're good to go!

The Preschool Version or HOP!
Is On The Way.

Calling Cards:

You will also find a . . .
Bunny, Bunny . . . Who's Got the Bunny
Front:

Back:

Tic Tac Crack!
(This one is played like Tic Tac Toe.)

and a
Don't Eat Peep Game!

I will also be posting the
Conference Journal Pages with the
Speaker's Pictures.

Two Pages for the Saturday and Sunday Conference Sessions
as well as the Young Women's General Meeting
and the Priesthood Session!

I created a SECOND Conference Journal
in a more masculine format, just
in case your husband would like one for himself.

I am in the process of making
a BYU Women's Conference Journal as well!

Here's a Sneak Peak . . .

2011-04-04T20:43:00.000-06:00

at the New BUNNY Bingo Game!

I'll be posting the PDF and Calling Cards Tomorrow!

As far as Easter goes,

we celebrate it in two parts.

One part is fun with an ADULT EGG HUNT,

and LOTS of ACTIVITIES FOR THE KIDS.

We love getting together and any extra excuse we can find to get

together and laugh and play as a family works for us.

Then comes the second part . . .

THE BEST PART

which celebrates the TRUE MEANING

of Easter.

I will be posting ideas for each the next few days!

I'm on the countdown with my missionary.

He leaves in 16 days

so when I can't sleep because I'm thinking of that . . .

I CREATE!

Should be a FuN couple of weeks!!!

A Mother's Conference Journal!

2011-03-30T16:37:00.006-06:00

I LOVE CONFERENCE!!!

The gospel never ceases to amaze me,

especially at Conference time.

I love to watch as people from all over the world

come together in obedience, to listen to a Living Prophet

and Apostles.

It's just AMAZING!!!

I have always taken notes during each of the conference speakers.

I know that the talks can be printed off almost immediately

after the session is over now days,

but for me ... writing it down makes it more personal.

I have received so many answers during this process.

I don't know if it's because writing it down makes

me listen more intently or what.

Just in case you haven't noticed .. . I'm a very visual person,

and even though just writing in a regular notebook was

fine, I wanted to make it into something I would

want to look at over and over again.

Hence . . .

MY CONFERENCE JOURNAL

was created.

Here It Is . . .

Cover Page
(This page slips into a 3-ring Binder.)

Back Page

Spine

Page 1
(Slip these pages into a sheet protector.)

Page 2

Page 3

Page 4

Page 5

I usually print two pages per speaker.

One to write on during conference, and the other

for personal study to use with the Conference Ensign.

I added a personal challenge for me and for my family

to the page I use during Conference.

This seems to be when the things I need to do in

my home and with my family stand out to me.

Even though we are being addressed

as a huge group . . .

The messages can be very personal!
These binders can be added to every conference.
It's an AWESOME reference as well as a
Fun Visiting Teaching Gift!
(Thanks for the idea Valerie!)
I'm soooo excited for Conference!

It feels like Christmas every Conference weekend . . . I LOVE IT!!!

Here's the PDF:

My Conference Journal Packet PDF
Note:
These pages can be printed in black and white
if you don't want to use colored ink!

Hope you have a GREAT Conference Weekend!

Still more ideas to come!!!

A Few Conference Ideas ... Are On The WAY!!!

2011-03-29T09:25:00.004-06:00

As I was wondering through the store

trying to think of ways to help my family

REALLY LISTEN

to Conference, I couldn't help but notice that the shelves

were filled with colored plastic eggs.

They were EVERYWHERE!!!

The more I thought about these wonderful

little things,

the more I began to realize that . . .

The plastic egg possibilities are endless!

Here's a way to make this Conference

EGGS-tra Special using plastic eggs!

Place a basket of plastic eggs on a small table in the room

you will be watching conference.

Have each family member write a question or two

from each of the talks on the cards included in the PDF.

Questions Like:

What did President Monson talk about?

What were two scriptures mentioned in the firsts session?

What color was President Eyring's tie?

Fold the cards and put them inside of the eggs.

The filled eggs will go into a separate basket.

If you have a bit of an age difference,

you may want to divide the eggs into two different colors.

One color for the older kids and the other for the

younger children.

That way, your littles won't give you the deer-in-the-headlights

face when you ask them a deep question about the atonement or

something like that!

Smaller children can also color pictures of

what the speaker is talking about on the

back of the Question Cards.

After each session

(Which just happens to be near meal time ... and a great time for a gathering!)

sit down as a family and take turns opening the eggs.

If you can answer the question correctly . . .

YOU WIN!

Prizes can be anything from

Treats to Points!

Points could used for some AMAZING PRIVILEGES like:

No Dishes for YOU!

Oh, the JOY! ... I just happen to be the best listener ... EVER!

(At least when it comes to conference talks!)

Here are the Question Cards:

Here's the PDF:

Eggs-tra Special Conference Cards PDF

It might take a little more effort to...

but it will be soooo worth it!

More Conference Helps

Are On The Way!

It's Time To . . .

2011-03-21T21:56:00.000-06:00

"Batten Down the Hatches!"

At least I think that's how they say it!

Water Heaters, Ovens, Bookcases, Refrigerators, Freezers,

and Television Sets all need to be strapped to walls to prevent

tipping and shifting during an earthquake.

If you have a gas stove, straps

are very important.

An earthquake can cause the stove to shift

causing the gas lines to move and break.

Cupboard doors should have latches to keep

dishes and glasses from falling out.

Use Picture Hook Hangers

to securely hang pictures.

Hooks along with a little Museum Wax will

keep pictures in place during an earthquake.

Museum Wax can also be used to

anchor collectibles and keepsakes to shelves.

Each person should keep a pair of shoes

and a flashlight by the bed.

This will help to prevent cuts from broken glass.

Flashlights will offer comfort to little ones

and provide needed light in a power outage.

So...

Go through YOUR house and

BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES!

All of the items listed above

can be found in your local hardware store.

Earthquake Prep!

2011-03-21T17:22:00.003-06:00

I don't know about you,

but I haven't slept very well since

the earthquake in Japan!

I have worried myself sick hoping

that I have done my part to teach

earthquake preparedness...

I believe it's time for a review!

Here's what I have learned from my

Japanese brother's experience.

My brother Akira sent a text at 1:30 the morning

of the earthquake letting us know he was OK, and that he loved us.

He ended up spending 3 days in his office in Tokyo

before he was able to get home to his wife and two sons.

Their story was featured on the Channel 5 News with Carol Mikita.

Here's a link to that story:

Quake Brings Two Families Back Together
You can watch the clip and read the story if you want
to know even more of the details!

Akira made the difficult decision to send his wife and sons

to Utah to live with my parents because things

in Japan are so dangerous right now.

We are so glad to have them here with us.

In talking to Yuko, I realized just how important it is

to have on hand:

WATER

FOOD

A HEAT SOURCE

LIGHT

SOME CASH

AND

A PLAN!!!

Akira first learned about food storage during the 3 years

he lived with us as a foreign exchange student.

He and his wife visited about two years ago and I

was able to show them my food storage and

emergency preparedness plan.
He prepared his own food storage
in Japan and will be able to take care of his parents.

It's very hard to hear that mothers don't have

diapers, formula, food and water.

It's cold and conditions are very difficult.

I am even more determined to be prepared in every way.

I not only want to be able to take care of my family,

but I want to be able to help others as well.
I would like to issue you the same challenge!!!

Tonight for Family Home Evening

Review Your Family
Earthquake Preparedness Plan!

Watch for More

Earthquake Preparedness Ideas

throughout the week!

Easy Swiss Steak!

2011-03-20T11:27:00.003-06:00

...Bag Meal #3...

Easy Swiss Steak!

Here's the Recipe:

1 Quart Bottled Stew Meat, Reserve the Juice

2 Tbsp. Dehydrated Celery

Dehydrated Celery is one of my favorite things to use!

(I've get mine in the #10 cans from Walmart.)

1 Envelope Dry Onion Soup Mix

1 (15-ounce) Can Diced Stewed Tomatoes with Juice

1/2 Beef Broth (Reserved from Bottled Stew Meat)

Optional Pantry Item:

1 Tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce

(It adds a nice flavor it you have it, but it also tastes great without!)

Instructions:

Place all of the ingredients into a crock-pot

and cook on low for 3 hours.

Serve over potatoes!

Recipe for Garlic Potatoes:

1 1/2 cups Instant Potato Pearls

(Available at the Drypack Cannery.)

3 cups Boiling Water

Garlic Salt to Taste

Canned Butter

(Add as much or as litttle as you like!)

Allow to sit for 2-3 minutes.

Fluff with a fork and serve.

Makes 6 Servings.

Bag Contents:

1 Quart Bottled Stew Meat

2 Tbsp. Dehydrated Celery in a Snack-Sized Ziploc Bag

1 Envelope Dried Onion Soup Mix

1 (15-ounce) Can Diced Stewed Tomatoes

1 1/2 cups Potato Pearls in a Ziploc Bag

2 Bottles Water

1 1/2 Cups Potato Pearls in a Sandwich-Sized Ziploc Bag

Add a pinch of Garlic Salt to the bag of Potato Pearls.

Pantry Item:

Worcestershire Sauce

Here's the Bag Tag PDF:

Easy Swiss Steak and Garlic Mashed Potatoes Bag Tag PDF

Note:

A Days Worth of Bag Meals

Makes a Great Grocery Shower Gift

For A New Bride!