A book every woman should read...

I mentioned this book in RS the other week and have been asked to post the details:

Home Comforts, The Art & Science of Keeping House by Cheryl Mendelson.

This is a great read and reference book. I'm still reading it (its about 800 pages), but so far I've gained a better perspective and appreciation for taking care of my home and I am more motivated to be organized and ambitious with the tasks required to keep a home functioning. Enjoy!

Steel Cut Oats

Hi Sisters,

I have wanted to try steel cut oats. Does anyone know where I can buy them locally?

Thanks,

Leah

About me and my Family

Earlier I accidently posted on here thinking I was posting on my Blog. I am still learning how to do this.

If anyone has been interested, curious, skeptical, on why I have made recent "nutrition" choices for me and my family. Check out my Blog: www.wisdomfed.blogspot.com. Maybe you will understand us more. I have noticed for whatever reason people have felt uncomfortable around me and my children when it comes to how we eat. And when they talk to me about providing "treats" for my kiddos at church functions. And letting me know that they don't want my children to feel left out because they "can't" eat what is provided. I appreciate you wanting them to not feel left out. You should't feel uncomfortable about talking about things with me though. If you have questions feel free to ask me. For now my children and I don't eat a lot of refined sugar, white flour and dairy products. So please don't be offended if we don't eat certain things at church. It is nothing personal. I am just getting this out there because I can't talk to everyone individually and this is easier for me to do. I also wanted to apologize to anyone if I may have said or done something that would be offensive. I have been learning a lot over the last year and didn't know how to navigate certain situations in the early stages. Forgive me. A lot of these things have been brought to my attention through certain ways and I wanted to address it. Thank you sisters and know I love our Ward. All of you have been great and are serving to help all of us grow in the Gospel.  May the Lord make us ONE!

Love Gretchen

Cool Changing Tables For Sale!

Deluxe Ubi Baby

Changing Table

Hi Ladies!

When I was in Phoenix last month I saw these tables at a high end baby boutique. They are called Ubi Baby. These tables are so unique and modern, i've never seen anything like them. They have received rave reviews in many magazine articles. The owner of the boutique was going out of business and was trying to get rid of some of her inventory. She sold these tables to me and I have quite a few. I have one in my house that I use for my daughter, I love it. They are retailed online at $100-$125. I'm selling them for $25. They come in five different patterns in both boy and girl colors with either dark wood or a lighter blonde color. They are boxed and I can assemble them for you beforehand if needed. They are lightweight and easily portable, they have a spring loaded diaper loader and velcro tabs that hold the diaper in place while changing your baby. They would make great baby shower gifts. Let me know if you're interested

Andrea M. 506-2696

Church Quiet Books

I saw this link on another wards RS blog, they are super cute. You can download them for free and have them printed out where ever you print photos. I think they are all 4x6. If you are interested click here.

Book Club

For this month's book club meeting we'll be reading the book "Salt". Our meeting will be held at Terri B's house on the 23rd of March 7:30 p.m. Please feel free to just show up and join us. We always have lots of fun and a nice dessert after the review. We have young and old alike at our meetings so you're sure to find friends of any age there.

Paradise Hills Preschool Registration

Saturday Feb, 26th
Numbers are handed out at 6am, however, you have to get there earlier.
5976 Avenida La Barranca NW, 87114
898-3122

Gooooey Popcorn

In an 8 qt pot, melt and birng to a boil:
2 cubes butter/margarine
1 cup packed brown sugar
Let boil for about 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
Add 1 Bag mini marshmellows
1 tsp vanilla or almond extract
Stir until all melted (may color with food coloring)
Pour over 3 bags microwave popcorn (remove unpopped kernals)
Mix well, and serve

Some good information;

Reheat Pizza (THIS REALLY WORKS)
Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top
of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.

Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum
foil. It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!

Reheating Refrigerated Bread
To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were
refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food
moist and help it reheat faster.

Measuring Cups
Be fore you pour sticky substances into a measuring
cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

Fun Activities for kids

Special Soup ages 2-6
Supplies
Mixing bowl, spoon, whatever you're cooking for dinner
Activity Detail
If you're trying to cook and your little one keeps demanding your attention, give them their own large mixing bowl and spoon. Hand them the odds and ends of whatever you're using: i.e. potato or onion peels, celery leaves, pasta, etc. Add water and any spices you feel you can spare. Stir, stir, stir... let your child keep adding whatever strikes their fancy. Et voila! Special Soup! You can't eat it, but your child will have fun working along next to you.

Creating Snacklaces ages 2-6

Supplies
Yarn or string, pretzels or Cheerios
Activity Detail
This is a slightly more nutritious variation of candy jewelry. Cut yarn or string in different lengths for your child to wear as a necklace or bracelet. Let your child decorate it by stringing on Cheerios or small pretzels. Make extras - they're fun to carry around for your child to nibble on!

Coffee Filter Flowers, ages 2-6

Supplies

Coffee filters, pipe cleaner, markers

Activity Detail

Begin with a stack of white, basket-style coffee filters. Give your child a stack of the coffee filters and a bunch of markers, and let him or her decorate them. These will form the petals of the flowers. Once they're done, group the filters into stacks of three or four. Then twist together to bottom of the stack of filters, and secure it with a colored pipe cleaner, which will be the stem of the flower. Then fan out the layers, and your child has a beautiful, homemade flower!

Hi Sisters! I am very inexperienced with this whole blogging thing, but I'm going to try to learn to do it! I like the idea of a ward RS blog, and I'm just doing this post to see if I am doing it right (to see if it posts:) I'd like to give a HUGE 'thank you' to Teri S. for getting this started. She is a woman of many talents (that I am just starting to learn about), and I think we can all take some lessons from her! I think one of the benefits of the blog, besides sharing helpful information, could be to lift each other up, or make each other smile. Maybe one of the things we could do when we get it going, would be to share the Top Ten Things We Are Grateful For...just an idea. So that's it for my experimental post.
Val G.

Anyone want to join me?

They also have a 5k and a 10K , or you can do teams with the half marathon or run it as individuals. The cost is $40.00. If your interested let me know. I have a 8 week training plan for a half marathon if anyone needs help on how to get ready.
Thanks - Teri S.