Wednesday, December 22, 2010

New Pricing from Family Home Storage Centers......



Well, as we all focus upon the sacred season of Christmas, change is in the air.  There is new pricing at Providentliving.org  for Family Home Storage Center Products.  Reportedly the pricing will go into effect in January 2011.  Some foods are actually less expensive.   For example, Black beans have gone from $4.45 for a #10 can to $3.95.  Granulated Sugar has risen in price from $4.65 to $5.30 per #10 can.

You can order foods in individual #10 cans, in Pouches or in Bulk.  Only the Starter Kit will come in a case according to the new form.  You can also purchase Bulk Packaging Materials such as cans, lids, pouches, Oxygen Absorbers etc.

Here is a quick view of the new form and pricing.




Benson showed up!!!!!!


The Little Red Hen's house has been invaded by 3 cute little grandson's......and Benson.  Who is Benson you ask?  He is a mischievous Elf who comes each year right after Thanksgiving and stays until Christmas Eve.  Then, when Santa comes, Benson goes back to the North Pole and works with Santa until the next Thanksgiving.  Now, this Benson is very inventive.  While everyone is sleeping, he gets into.....everything!  Once he had a snowball fight with cotton balls and the other stuffed animals. Another time he used the Christmas lights to repel from the Mantle down to the Hearth! Trust me, there are plenty of Benson stories to go around.

Well, this morning we found out that Benson got into something else!  Can you see what he did?


Keep looking closer.....


Have you figured it out yet?


He climbed up into the Advent calendar and hung some of the ornaments from his nose, feet and hand!  He even tipped the calendar off center!  It took the boys a little while to find him this morning as he was the same color as the Advent Calendar.  There were lots of cute laughs once Benson was found!

If you would like to learn more about the Magic Elf tradition, go to this link.  If you need ideas of "Elfcapades", go here.  This is a fun tradition that you could start next year.....and Grandparents....this is a fun one to share with your adult children and grandchildren.  We did 3 years ago and love hearing about all the mischief the Elves get into.

Try it! 

A Different Christmas Poem.......

Last year at this time, we had a beloved family member who was away from us.  He and his unit were serving our country at great risk to themselves and were half a world away.  Many years ago, we had another family member who served far away from home in one of the most historic battles of WWII.  How grateful we are to have them with us this Christmas....and we are grateful for all they have done to secure our opportunity to worship during this most sacred of seasons.  If you know someone who serves our country, would you please take a moment to thank them?  We owe them our all.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Our "Christmas by Candlelight" evening....

(Image courtesy of stnicholashamilton.org)

This week, we had our "Christmas by Candlelight" Relief Society Activity in our ward/congregations. 


We filled Santa's bag with lots of canned goods for the Utah Food Bank....thank you very much!


Enjoyed the cuisine of many of our talented sisters.....what a spread!


There was a lot to visit about.....


We took time to catch up with each other and share things happening in our families...


Then we all settle down for...a wonderful musical program offered by the Halliday and Heyrend Families.



Our High Priest Group leader was the Master of Ceremonies!



Many wished they had a tissue when we were regaled by our young sister who had been on a difficult, but miraculous journey sang for us.  This rendition of "O Holy Night" was very fitting.



We are very appreciative of everyone who attended (~40 sisters!) and our special guests.


And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,



Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.



May you take the spirit that we were blessed with this evening and take it into our homes, our communities, and our hearts.






Friday, December 17, 2010

Tragedy today in Provo.....

(Image courtesy of city-data.com)


When I turned on the news this morning, I was greatly saddened to see that the historic Provo Tabernacle had been the victim of a terrible fire.  This building has been a treasure for many generations:

In Thomas Bullock’s notes, now part of the Journal History of the Church, for 19 September 1849, one reads that on Monday, 17 September 1849, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards [the then presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints], and others


“rode out from Fort Utah in three carriages, accompanied by five men on horseback, to look out a location for a town.

“They found a very eligible place, about two miles southeast of the Fort, where it was decided to build a city a mile square, to be laid off in blocks of four acres each, divided into eight lots of half an acre each, reserving the center block of four acres for a chapel and schoolhouses, the streets to be five rods wide...”

By reason of its being about “two miles southeast” of the presumed location of Fort Utah, it would appear that the present location of the Tabernacle was the “center block.”


It was originally build with a center spire, but after 30 years it was determined that the weight of the spire was too heavy for the structure and it was removed.


It housed an original 1934 painting by Minerva Teichert of Joseph and Oliver receiving the Melchizadek Priesthood from Peter, James and John that was protected by Plexiglas. 


I attended Stake Conferences there when I was getting my education at  BYU.  I loved having church in this historical building.  I even had the opportunity to sit on the stand and sing with the choir and listen to that magnificent organ.


The phenomenal woodwork was throughout out the building.




With beautiful stained glass windows.



I always loved the balcony even though the stairs seemed a bit steep.

According to KSL news, Provo fire marshal Lynn Schofield said, "All of the roof has collapsed into the structure, and now it's just a process of putting out the burning debris in the structure and getting it safe for us to go and take a look at it."  

The exterior walls are still stand as of this writing.  This building has not only been a place of worship, but also for community events and concerts.  Even BYU has used for graduation ceremonies.   

Let us hope it can be saved....






(Sources:  Historic Provo Tabernacle, The Daily Herald, and KSL)

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Christmas Gift suggestion...the Dottie Apron


If you are looking for a nice gift to give this Christmas, consider making a "Dottie Apron".  These are constructed from 2 placemats and 3 yards of ribbon (more if you are making the Apron on the right).  Here are the instructions for this simple project.



Fold one Placemat in half lengthwise, and iron a crease in the bottom third.  Take the 2nd placemat and fold it in half width wise, press a crease.



Place the horizontal and vertical folds together with a 5 ½ “overlap



Pin the edges and corners of the placemats where they overlap together.



Pin the edges and corners of the placemats where they overlap together.



Cut 18" for each tie on the neck and 36" for each tie at the waist.Attach the ribbon by placing the raw edge along the underneath vertical placemat (where the neck is). Pin in place.  Fold the ribbon over to cover the raw edge.  Pin it in place.


On the wrong side of the fabric, topstitch a box to hold the ribbon in place.  Sew an “X” in the box if you wish to add more stability.


Either melt the edges of your Ribbon or use Fray Check to stop the ends from fraying




Christmas Gift!

Apron's Apron's Apron's....results


A few weeks ago, our Relief Society had an Apron sewing activity.  We had a lot of sewing machines, a lot of mentors, and hopefully a lot of satisfied customers.


Mentors sat and gave instruction in how to operate machines, and follow directions for the patterns.


Mothers and daughters also got in on the act!


First time sewers were given individualized instruction.



We learned how to finish off Ribbon.



We had a great demonstration in how to make Prarie Points!

Lot's of friendly conversation also took place.  And......here are some of the finished products!


The Dottie Apron!



Basic Chef Apron


Another take on the Basic Chef Apron


The Charlotte Apron


And a Chef Apron with Prairie Points on the pockets.


Our thanks to the many mentors who volunteered their time and talents to help with the activity...you all were wonderful!

We all had a great time and one sister has told me that she has made 9 other Aprons for Christmas Gifts since we had this activity!  Way to go! 

Friday, December 10, 2010

Courage, Adversity, and Triumph......

(Image courtesy of allvoices.com)



"At times some may think that no one cares--but someone always cares! Your Heavenly Father will not leave you to struggle alone, but stands ever ready to help."

(Thomas S. Monson, "Three Gates to Open," CES Fireside for Young Adults, Jan. 14, 2001)

Today, the verdict for Brian David Mitchell came in....guilty on all counts.  As terrible as his actions were, I am deeply impressed with the fine young woman who endured and triumphed....Elizabeth Smart.  I believe we all remember where we were when she was abducted.  I recall flyer's, news updates, and my desire to ever secure my young children.

How miraculous were the events that surrounded her discovery and the opportunity to be reunited with her strong family.  For me, the take-away-message is that this young woman knew who she was, knew who her Father-in-Heaven was, and knew her Redeemer.  She knew her family loved her, no matter what indoctrination was imposed, and she knew they were looking for her and that they loved her.


Let us never forget that someone always cares and that our Heavenly Father will never leave us alone.  I am grateful to the Smart family and Elizabeth for showing us all how to allow the Lord to define us and guide us....with grace.  We are never alone, no matter what the circumstances are....


A Favorite of Mine and hopefully yours....

A Christmas Card to you....from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir..

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Seriously....

I have been putting up our Christmas decorations.....without help I might add.  However, I have received several complaints from Rooster Jr. about there being too many trees (only 3!).  Well, take a look at this....it makes my 3 little trees pale in comparison!

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&from=sp&vid=311a3da1-03b9-4303-8236-d0882eb37e15" target="_new" title="Deck the halls with 14,000 LEDs">Video: Deck the halls with 14,000 LEDs</a>

Friday, December 3, 2010

Kids and Christmas

It's early in December when there is a great deal of excitement building.  See Christmas from the persepctive of children....you won't be disappointed!

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