Conference Store

{Oct 1-2, 2016}

I've been doing a "Conference Store" for about the last 2-3 years and it's been great for all of us.

The kids pick coloring pages, word searches, decoding messages, etc and cash them in for prizes at the store.

Here are the GOODS for the store this session. (They usually have more papers and points than we have prizes so they cash in their extra papers for $$.)

Jackson is very strategic. He picks pages with the MOST points (like complex coloring pages or word searches etc). He also enjoys word searches so it's a win WIN!

Alivia is getting old enough that we told her she could take notes and earn points, and she did! She switched back and forth from paper and pencil to typing her notes on Mom's iPad. I love to see this because this is how I learn- I hear it, write it, and read it and then I retain it better.

Levi does such a great job coloring that he racks up some serious points too!

I like doing this Conference Store. The kids LOVE it and look forward to it and hopefully they'll make the connection that Conference is something to look forward to and enjoy, not just for the pages and goodies, although those are nice bonuses. ;)

Mom & Alivia @ the Women's Broadcast

{9.24.16}

Its that time again for the General Women's Session broadcast. We got to the meetinghouse and Alivia remembered we took a selfie last time we came, so she was sure we took another one this time too. Good thinking babe.

I found these pics on my phone from our ride over. 😜👍🏻

I love this girl. 

We heard some wonderful messages in the Broadcast. Here are a few of my favorites:

• ***We can't direct the wind but we can adjust our sails. Pres. TS Monson
• Sister Jean Bingham- 
• When we see our own imperfections clearly we are less likely to see others through a dark glass.
• Look for the good in others and in the circumstances around us.
• Sister Carole Stephens-
• Regardless of our differences, we are all in need of His infinite Atonement. 
• He meets us where we are. He understands because He has experienced our pain.
• When we come to Him with humble, teachable hearts He can change us, for He is mighty to save.
• Sister Bonnie Oscarson-
• As covenant people we need never fear.
• Heavenly Father's compensation in living in perilous times is that we also live in the fullness of times.
• Despite the conditions of our day, we have reason to rejoice.
• We need to be women who study the gospel and have an unshakeable testimony.
• There are answers to the questions being asked.
• **Be bold in teaching our children and youth the gospel principles they need to navigate the world in which we live.
• Pres Dieter F Uchtdorf
• There are more ways to see than with our eyes, more way s to hear than with our ears.
• Just because we can't hear something doesn't mean there's nothing to hear.
• Listen differently.
• Faith is powerful and oftentimes results in miracles. No matter how much faith we have there are 2 things faith cannot do.
• It cannot violate another person's agency. He will not force anyone to choose the path of righteousness. He will invite, persuade, reach out tirelessly with love, persuasion and encouragement.
• It cannot force our will upon God. We cannot force God to comply with our desires.
• The purpose of faith is not to change God's will, but to empower us to act on God's will. 
• Faith is trust; trust that God sees what we cannot; that he knows what we do not.
• Faith means that we trust not only in God's wisdom, but we trust also in his love.
• We walk by whatever faith we have seeking always to increase our faith. Faith comes to the humble, the diligent, the enduring, those who pay the price of faithfulness.

I love General Conference. I love that we have a Women's Session for all girls 8+. I love that Alivia and I can go together. I hope our kids are learning how much we love Conference, the importance of listening to our latter-day prophets and leaders, and are feeling the Spirit and the love that comes with Conference. 

Philadelphia Temple dedication

{Sept 18, 2016} 

From the Church News: The Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple will be dedicated in three sessions on Sunday, September 18, at 9:00 a.m., noon, and 3:00 p.m.

The sessions will be broadcast to all the stakes and districts in Pennsylvania as well as to the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple district. The three-hour block of meetings will be cancelled for that Sunday to allow members in the area to participate in the dedication services.

A cultural celebration will take place Saturday, September 17, commemorating the heritage of the region through narration, song, and dance. The celebration coincides with the 229th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution.

President Thomas S. Monson announced the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple on October 4, 2008, and the groundbreaking ceremony was September 17, 2011. A public open house was held August 10 through September 9.

The temple will serve more than 41,000 Church members who live in 11 stakes in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and parts of New Jersey and Maryland.

Daddy was asked to sing in the choir for the Temple Dedication. He's been practicing every other week with the choir since July. What an honor to be asked to sing for this momentous occasion!

He's in the 2nd row from the top, 3rd from the middle. The choir sang "We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet" and "On this day of joy & gladness". They were beautifully done and really brought the Spirit to the dedication.  

The kids and I were at the Stake Center watching the dedication broadcast and were so happy to see Daddy singing in the choir for this momentous event.

 Elder D. Todd Christofferson and his wife came and were a part of the cornerstone ceremony also.

Pres. Henry B Eyring gave the Dedicatory Prayer and I wanted to preserve it for myself and our posterity. Here it is:

O God, our Heavenly Father, Thou Great Elohim, in the name of Thy Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, we come before Thee in love and humility to dedicate this holy house. We are grateful for the blessings that have been showered upon us.

First and foremost, we remember the gift of Thy Son, the great Jehovah, Savior of the world. We are grateful that He came down from His place in glory at Thy side to offer the infinite sacrifice that makes it possible for us to be purified and to return to Thee.

We are grateful for the hospitality of this historic city and pray that it may be blessed by the very presence of Thy house. May the light of the gospel that emanates from this holy temple be felt throughout the community.

We thank Thee for all who have made possible this day, those who have made the decision to place a temple here, the architects and contractors, the city officials who have granted the necessary permits, the workmen, and all associated with this undertaking. Bless the faithful tithe payers of the Church who have given to further the building of temples. Keep Thine promises made by the prophet Malachi to open the windows of heaven and shower blessings down upon them.

We are profoundly grateful for the Constitution of the United States and for the Bill of Rights. These are the guarantors of our independence and our liberty.

President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, dedicated the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple on September 18, 2016. Photo by Sarah Jane Weaver.

We pray for this nation of which we are part. Preserve the freedom of the people now and for generations to come. May these blessings rest upon its citizens without restraint or hindrance of any kind. Bless those who lead, and inspire them in their endeavors that righteousness may grow, that the people may look to Thee, and that this nation, under God, may continue as a base from which Thy work may spread throughout the earth.

Many not of our faith have previously visited this building. May they reflect on their experience with reverence and appreciation. May they be led, as Thou hast promised, to acknowledge that this is indeed Thy house.

May the sanctifying influence of the temple be extended into the families, the neighborhoods, and the communities of those who will come to worship here. We seek Thy favor, Father, in pouring out Thy blessings upon all those who reside in the temple district. Prosper them as they honor this Thy house.

May it ever be a place of peace, of order, and of love, where hearts are turned heavenward, whatever tumult may be in the world around it. We ask that the Holy Ghost may be unrestrained in this sacred place.

We ask that no unclean thing shall enter the portals of this Thy holy house. Rebuke the devourer and him who seeks to disrupt and destroy. Guard and fortify and strengthen all who come here against the forces of evil.

Now, acting in the authority of the holy Melchizedek Priesthood, we dedicate and consecrate unto Thee and Thy Beloved Son this sacred structure, the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We ask that Thou will accept it as a gift of love for Thee and for Thy Son.

We dedicate this beautiful temple with all its facilities, furnishings, ancillary structures, and the adjacent meetinghouse. We dedicate the place on which it stands, with the vegetation growing thereon to add such beauty to this structure. We dedicate the temple from its foundation to the figure of Moroni, which crowns its steeple. We dedicate the sacred baptistry, the initiatory ordinance facilities, the endowment rooms, the sealing rooms with their altars, and the crowning jewel of the temple, the celestial room, and every part of this sacred house. May it be safeguarded from vandalism, fire, the elements of nature, and any evil hand that might be inclined to deface or defile it in any way.

Bless Thy worthy Saints who come here that they may grow in faith and testimony concerning Thy Beloved Son. May they grow in understanding of Thy eternal purposes in bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of Thy sons and daughters. May they stay faithful to their promises and covenants made herein.

We pray for those who are sealed as man and wife in this temple for eternity. Bless them with charity, the pure love of Christ. Protect them from evil. Protect them from selfishness and pride. Bless them that their hearts will be turned to each other, to their children, to their descendants, and to their ancestors with the hope of eternal life.

Please strengthen the youth who are surrounded by temptations and evil. Give them the courage to stand firm for truth and righteousness. Bless them with a vision of temple service and of their eternal purpose.

Bless the temple presidency, ordinance workers, and patrons. Bless them that they may feel Thy loving arms and those of the Savior in whatever challenges may come into their lives and the lives of their children. Bless them with the peace Thy Son has promised His faithful disciples.

President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, dedicated the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple on September 18, 2016—the weekend anniversary of the September 17, 1787, signing of the U.S. Constitution. Photo by Sarah Jane Weaver.

Father, we ask Thee to endow with power those who go forth from this house as Thine authorized servants to carry the message of the eternal gospel to the people of the world. Let Thine inspiration rest upon them. May the Holy Ghost be their companion. May they be protected from harm and evil. May Thy work roll on across the earth to touch for everlasting good the lives of all who will accept it.

On this historic day in Philadelphia, we sing Thy praises, dear Father. We are mindful that Thou art God, the Father of our spirits, the Almighty Governor of the universe. How thankful we are that we know Thou hearest and wilt answer our prayers. We pray for these blessings as we renew our faith and strengthen our determination to honor our own covenants, in the name of Him who is our Redeemer, our Savior, our Lord, and our King, even Jesus Christ, amen.

General Women's Broadcast

{3.26.16}

It's that time of year again when we get to listen to our Church leaders and take part in the General Women's Session of General Conference.

We were lucky enough to have Cousin E, Aunt S and Nana join us for the evening. These 2 girls are so sweet. They love each other deeply and are great friends. Had to capture the moment.

I'm a note-taker in meetings; it helps me to retain what I've learned. I'm happy that Alivia has started doing the same thing. She'll bring a notepad and write down what I write down, along with some of her own impressions. Here are the "goodies" I learned from this Women's Session (which may have been paraphrased by me for conciseness):

Sister Cheryl Esplin, "He Asks Us to Be His Hands"

- Unless we lose ourselves in service to others, our lives have little purpose.

- Don't think of your task as a burden, think of it as an opportunity to give.

- True service requires we focus on the needs .... of others.

***- When children learn to serve others it becomes a pattern for their life. (I love this one. It is SO important! I'm so grateful that my parents taught this to me as a child and I'm trying to teach my kids now too.)

Sister Neill Marriott (one of my favorite speakers) "What Shall We Do?"

- We build the kingdom when we nurture others.

- We must develop bedrock faith in the Savior's gospel.

***- Love is making space in your life for someone else.

- Our highest responsibility is to be women who follow the savior.

Sister Linda Burton, "I was a Stranger"

- We as sisters make up more than half of the Lord's storehouse. Not just goods and products, but talents, skills, etc.

- Local refugee relief projects

- Relief effort- "I was a stranger" video presentation

- Opportunities to serve, mentor, one on one or in groups, etc.

- Remember- one cannot run faster than he has strength

- Parable of the widow's mite. She did what she could.

- Help those in need as we are able.

Pres. Henry B. Eyring, "Trust in That Spirit Which Leadeth to do Good"

- 3 memories or feelings I want you to remember:

1. Love. Charity. Pure love of Christ.

2. Influence of the Holy Ghost. Pray about what to do.

3. Feeling that you want to be closer to the Savior

-3 commitments (things to do) to remember:

1. Go and serve knowing that you do not go alone. He prepares the way before you.

2. Remember the Savior as we go and serve others.

3. Pray in faith to know what the Lord would have you do.

I learned so very much listening to these leaders. They speak with such love, devotion and faith.

Our helping hands

{4.11.15} It's that time of year again when our Ward does some service for the community. This time we were to clean up this stretch of the railroad that runs downtown. Here's a shot of part of it BEFORE.

Little Levi in is "Mormon Helping Hands" vest. He did a great job helping us pick up a lot of trash, then he played with this railroad tie on a cement block  with some of the other little kids. They made piles with the little rocks and houses and kept themselves occupied and out of trouble so we could keep working. I really appreciate him being so good while we worked. He was the littlest one there!

Alivia and her good friend A. Work is more fun with a friend. :) They were so cute; they said, "This experience is helping us to be better friends." Well said!

The Elders found a little Garter Snake and the kids all wanted a peak. This is close enough for me. Thanks.

And here's an AFTER shot! Doesn't it look great?! Levi and his friend are in the yellow vests and we made a few piles of BIG garbage the city will come by and pick up.

We picked up JUST A LITTLE trash! Sheesh! We got done about an hour earlier than we expected because we RAN OUT OF BAGS! :P Next time we'll ask the city to give us more. :)

Mommy Daughter Date

{9.27.14}

It's time again for our bi-annual General Women's Broadcast. We made a special date night of it. We got all dressed up, went to dinner at Olive Garden where we loaded up on Chicken Scampi, house salad and breadsticks, then we went to the women's social and finally listened to the broadcast. It was a fun night being together but I think it all might have been a little too much for my girl. She was exhausted after all of it. ;) Baby steps. 

Here are the talks were were lucky to hear. Watch, listen, print or download them here.

• Prepared in a Manner That Never Had Been Known, by Linda K. Burton
• Preparing for the temple.
• As temples are prepared for the people people need to prepare for the temple.
• Parable of  the 10 virgins- liken to us preparing for the temple.
• Listed ways of how we can "add oil to our lamps"- family prayer, scripture study, deeds of kindness, chaste thoughts...

• "Where much is required, much more will be given."
• Covenant Daughters of God, by Jean A. Stevens
• She shares the story of her parents courting and marriage and then shares this thought-
• There is no doubt the details of your story will be different than hers. But principles from her life apply to all of us. When daughters of God focus on the temple and on their sacred covenants, God is able to send blessings in personal and powerful ways. Like my mother’s example to me, your choice to believe and keep covenants will leave a rich legacy of faith for those who follow you. 
• Sharing your Light, by Neill F. Marriott- I loved listening to this Sister with her cute Texam accent. :)
• Elder M. Russell Ballard writes: “We need more of the distinctive, influential voices and faith of women. We need them to learn the doctrine and to understand what we believe so that they can bear their testimonies about the truth of all things.”
• The scriptures teach, “That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light.”⁴
• Elder D. Todd Christofferson said, “In all events, a mother can exert an influence unequaled by any other person in any other relationship.”⁸ 
• ^{My days were full of forgettable things like folding laundry, reading children’s books, and putting casseroles together for dinner. Sometimes in the harbor of our homes, we can’t see that by the simple, consistent acts—including family prayer, scripture study, and family home evening—great things are brought to pass. But I testify that these very acts carry eternal significance. Great joy comes when those little boats—our children—grow into mighty seafaring vessels filled with gospel light and ready to “embark in the service of God.”9 Our small acts of faith and service are how most of us can continue in God and eventually bring eternal light and glory to our family, our friends, and our associates. You truly carry a circle of influence with you!}
• Living the Gospel Joyful, by Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf (one of my FAVORITE speakers!!)
•  Your Heavenly Father has high aspirations for you, but your divine origin alone does not guarantee you a divine inheritance. God sent you here to prepare for a future greater than anything you can imagine. The promised blessings of God to the faithful are glorious and inspiring.... It takes more than a spiritual birth certificate or a “Child of God Membership Card” to qualify for these incomprehensible blessings.
•  I think, that we imagine that God has all of His blessings locked in a huge cloud up in heaven, refusing to give them to us unless we comply with some strict, paternalistic requirements He has set up. But the commandments aren’t like that at all. In reality, Heavenly Father is constantly raining blessings upon us. It is our fear, doubt, and sin that, like an umbrella, block these blessings from reaching us. We need to accept that the commandments of God aren’t just a long list of good ideas. They aren’t “life hacks” from an Internet blog or motivational quotes from a Pinterest board. They are divine counsel, based on eternal truths, given to bring “peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.”⁶ His commandments are the loving instructions and the divine help for us to close the umbrella so we can receive the shower of heavenly blessings.
• ONE OF MY FAVORITE THOUGHTS from this Session-
• Yes, God loves you this very day and always.
  He is not waiting to love you until you have overcome your weaknesses and bad habits. He loves you today with a full understanding of your struggles. He is aware that you reach up to Him in heartfelt and hopeful prayer. He knows of the times you have held onto the fading light and believed—even in the midst of growing darkness. He knows of your sufferings. He knows of your remorse for the times you have fallen short or failed. And still He loves you.
  And God knows of your successes; though they may seem small to you, He acknowledges and cherishes each one of them. He loves you for extending yourself to others. He loves you for reaching out and helping others bear their heavy burdens—even when you are struggling with your own.
  He knows everything about you. He sees you clearly—He knows you as you really are. And He loves you—today and always!

It was a wonderful session, filled with the Spirit. These messages strengthened me, and lifted me up and they inspire me to do more and be better.  :) Thanks for a great night Alivia. IT.WAS.AWESOME.

pioneer trek clothes

Not only was I excited to go on Pioneer Trek but I was excited to MAKE as many of the clothes as I could so I could learn HOW! I think I did a pretty sweet job for my first time sewing more than a square. Check it out!

SKIRTS:

I used 2 1/4 yards of fabric along with this pattern and instructions.

I followed the instructions exactly and my turquoise skirt turned out just like their's (which has a TON of room in the back) and is VERY adjustable for all sorts of different sized ladies.

Skirt front

Skirt back, according to instructions

For my purple skirt I made a front AND a back waistband (instead of making a casing for the ties). I like how this skirt turned out better than the original pattern. I think it looks nicer and more finished. The only thing I'd do differently would be to make the front waistband 16" long (rather than 15") and the back waistband about 18-20" long (so you have lots of extra room if you need it).

Skirt front- with my own variation of the pattern

Skirt back- I made an extra waistband for the back of the skirt,
put my buttonholes in for the skirt ties and I love it.
I really like how this skirt turned out. Looks so much more "finished".

APRON:

I followed this pattern for my very simple apron. Next time I make an apron, I will NOT make it white (even though that's the color they tradtionally were), but a colored or patterned apron instead- more realistic because on trek it's BOUND to get dirty. ;)

BLOOMERS:
I followed this "make your own pattern" for my bloomers. They turned out fine. I'm glad I used the lightest weight muslin I could find. ALL THOSE LAYERS makes for a long, hot day of walking and pushing.

BONNET: Matching bonnet for my turqouise skirt. :) Love this fabric.

I used this pattern- McCall's 9423

I did end up making a plain white bonnet too. I followed this same pattern but made everything a little smaller. This pattern had my little head LOST in the bonnet; I know that's kind of the point but mine were bigger than they needed to be and I felt kinda silly in them, especially looking back at the pictures. Oh well, I was trying to be authentic and it was fun. :)

Josh's Shirts:
These shirts were no doubt the hardest task of ALL the trek clothes. I was hoping to make shirts via the 15 minute shirt method below, but I couldn't find solid, lightweight fabric that were one size too big (to cut down for the modified shirt) so I ended up going with this "pirate-type" peasant shirt. I used a McCalls M4952 pattern.

I attempted the blue shirt first and I think it turned out great for my first shirt. However, the arms were VERY FLOWY and my sweet mother-in-law volunteered to cut them down for me (at this point I was too panicked and worried about packing up for trek that I wasn't mentally up for THIS challenge). They look much better, yet still flowy, but not NEARLY as much.

1st shirt attempt

My 2nd attempt at a shirt turned out just about perfect I think. It's amazing what experience will teach you. This time through I didn't mess up the cuffs and I knew how to sew the placket just so. ;) Instead of having to worry about the HUGE flowy sleeves this time I modeled my pattern pieces after my husband's button-down church shirt. He thought they were great. 

2nd shirt attempt

The only thing I'd do differently for these shirts would be to find ones that have buttons on the cuff so the sleeves can be rolled up. As it was, he could push these sleeves up to about mid-forearm, which was better than nothing. ;)

MY shirts:15 minute pioneer shirt

http://homedelicious.blogspot.com/2012/05/pioneer-trek-week-15-minute-pioneer.html

FAMILY FLAG:

I had NO pattern to go off of for our flag so I made up my own. Our paper said it should be between 2-5' big. Our's ended up about 2' and was BY FAR the smallest flag, but I LOVE it and I wouldn't change it. :)

I think I made the edges 4-5" wide. I sewed right sides together (on one side), then folded the open edge side over about 1/8-1/4". Iron that little edge down. Then fold the rest of the edge in half so it is even on both sides. Then I cheated and did a large zig zag stitch down the side to secure both sides. 

Oh and be sure to leave the left edge of your flag open on the bottom so you can put your pvc pipe in to hold up your flag. Next time I do this I'd leave the top edge open too to put a pipe across the top so you flag isn't so floppy. (Hindsight is 20/20.)

We downloaded this font for our cool "old west" letters and found this temple silhouette to use. I printed them out on an iron-on transfer sheet, and ironed it on to our heavy-weight muslin fabric.

Josh found this custom hat shop to make him a hat. It turned out AWESOME and he loved it. That hat will be with us for a long time. Thanks Dirty Billy!

NECK COOLER-

I found this cool little do-dad after the fact but I think this might be really handy for next time on trek.

strawberries galore

One beautiful Spring morning my little helper and I went strawberry picking. We had a delicious fun time. (Note to self: Do not dress berry pickers in WHITE shirts.) ;)

Here's the stats of our trip:

4 hands 

1.5 hours

14 lbs

$1.75/lb = $24.50

1 Good Samaritan* (Story to follow)

Double batch of strawberry sauce

Single batch strawberry jam

Single batch low sugar strawberry jam 

(which I REALLY like- may make this my EVERYTIME strawberry jam recipe)

Here's the story of the Good Samaritan- before we left, I guesstimated we'd pick maybe 10 lbs of berries, so I brought enough cash for just that. (Side note: The night before I'd cleaned out my wallet and decided I didn't need to carry my checkbook around with me ALL the time because I only used it SOMETIMES.) On with the story, Levi had picked/eaten about as many berries as he could handle and our time was about up (before we had to get back to pick Jackson up from school) so we brought our berries to be weighed. I was a few dollars short, HOW EMBARRASSING! I scrounged up a couple more dollars in change from my car (SO EMBARRASSING) and was STILL a bit short. I said I'd need to leave whatever berries I needed to. (Here I am SO mortified and EMBARRASSED. Sheesh! Where's my checkbook when I need it?!) Luckily the sweet older woman who'd just finished paying overheard my ordeal and asked, "How much do you need?" Then she said "Oh I can get the rest." Talk about a lesson in humility. I thanked her again and again and asked for her address so I could repay her. She emphatically said it wasn't necessary; she just said, "I pray the Lord will bless you", to which I responded, "and I know the Lord will bless you for your generosity. Thank you so very much!" And she drove off in her Volvo and I said a little prayer for the modern-day Good Samaritans. 

And there you have it, picking berries can be more than just picking berries; it can be a lesson in humility and a chance to "pay it forward". Now go and do just that!

{night out} General Women's Meeting

{3.29.14} Alivia, my sweet mother-in-law and I were able to attend the very first General Women's Meeting. In the past there have been different broadcasts for different age groups- one for girls ages 8-12, one for teens ages 12-17, and one for women ages 18+. They combined all these meetings into the General Women's Meeting, a new semi-annual event.

We were excited to share in this momentous occasion and think of all our family I and friends participating worldwide! (There was even a dessert bar before the meeting, which really helped sweeten the evening.)

There were great talks given by our Church leaders but this one was my favorite. "Sisterhood: Oh How We Need Each Other!" Sister Bonnie Oscarson- YW pres

Below is a snippit of her talk. Watch the rest of it here.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from Sister Oscarson's talk (mostly paraphrased because I wasn't fast enough to catch all of it)-

• To be sisters implies that there is an unbreakable bond between us. 
• We as women can be particularly hard on ourselves. 
• Story of mom and daughter serving a sister in need.
• There is no age barrier when it comes to Christlike service. 
• When YW come in to RS they need a friend to sit by, to put their arm around them and a calling and assignment. 
• If there are barriers it is because we have created them. 
• Oh how we need each other. Sister Marjorie pay hinckley. 
• I invite you to not only love each other more but to love each other better!

It was a fantastic evening being together. I can't wait for the next one in September!

our helping hands

{4.27.13}
Last weekend our whole family to able to help in a service project at a local state park. It was a gorgeous sunny day and we had a wonderful time. We were able to work alongside our COUSINS and friends from church! It was a great time!

Here's cousin I and Jackson near their big pile of sticks. Our job was to pick up the off-shoots & sticks that our other helpers cut off from the bases and bottoms of the trees. We also helped put mulch around some newly planted trees.

These boys were HAPPY to be where they were! (The inside story: They were trying to make the BIGGEST pile of sticks because they were pretending there was a HUGE prize for the winner. We'd have a pile near the tree we were working on, but they insisted on carrying their sticks BACK to THEIR pile, so they could build it bigger. They kept doing this until their pile was almost out of sight, then they were convinced they needed to start ANOTHER pile. They made about 3 of these big piles.)

I had to get a shot of the back because these vests are so cool! Really! I also love that you can tell how SMALL these boys are that are helping. Pretty cool.

Here are their big sisters HAPPILY at work and building their own pile.

Elisabeth thought it was pretty funny that she got to put this BIG BRANCH in the pile and it's BIGGER THAN SHE IS! "Take a picture!" she said.

The kids worked really hard for about 2 hours before we had to stop for a little snack.

After about 3 1/2 hours of good work, the kids were exhausted and we were finally done, so we got to have our picnic lunch by the playground! Jackson picked Swiss Rolls & Capri Suns for our special treats for the day.

Levi RE-discovered that he LOVES watermelon! He ate 2 or 3 pieces of it!

It was a wonderful sunny day and it felt great to work and be outside all together! Let's do this again!

The final headcount for our service project was 340 people and we clocked over 2000 hours of service! We were all stationed according to our ages and abilities and spread over 8+ areas of the park. Some of the other work our fellow workers did was to: fix/re-install lampposts, paint benches in the amphitheater, paint signs & posts, outfit a horsetrail, and the list goes on and on and we got almost all of it done!  How wonderful!

For more information click here.

Skillet Corn Bread

Back in January, our Relief Society activity for the month was a night of kneadless bread demonstrations, and simple soups. We were shown how to make this bread recipe, along with this Taco Soup, along with a couple others. It was a fun, casual night and everyone was excited to take home some simple, meal ideas!

I'm excited to make this corn bread recipe. It was delicious and now I have another use for my cast-iron skillet!

Kneadlessly Simple: Fabulous, Fuss-Free, No-Knead Breads

{simple} SKILLET CORN BREAD

Ingredients:

2 c. freshly milled popcorn (or corn meal & dough enhancer)

2 c. freshly milled high gluten flour (or bread flour or white flour & dough enhancer)

½ c. sugar

1/3 c. powdered milk

½ c. canola oil

1 t. salt

2 T. baking powder

2 c. water

2 eggs

2 T. bacon grease or other grease substitute (or shortening)

Directions:

1.       Mix all ingredients in mixing bowl for 2 minutes. Preheat oven to 400*. Place large cast iron skillet in oven with 2 T. bacon drippings. When skillet is very hot, remove from oven and pour in batter. Place back in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.