When are the activities

Hi everyone,

I am sorry for being so behind but does anyone know when the Ward activity is? It is not showing up on the calendar.

Thanks

need new Holiday music?

Amazon.com is doing a cool deal on holiday music- they're advertising 100 holiday albums (download MP3 versions) for $5 each. Copy and paste the following link to take you to the right page.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=pe_169890_21825240_pe_row/?docId=1000740101&ie=UTF8

House for Rent

We are moving to the east side and are trying to help our landlady find new tenants. The house is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath with GRASS in the large backyard and a very open floor plan. It is about 2100 sq. feet and the rent is $1250/month. We will be out by January 1. It is located very close to Ventana Ranch Elementary and is in the Volcano Cliffs ward. We have been very happy in this home. Please pass this on to anyone who may be interested in this home and contact me (Jen P.) either by phone (I'm in the directory) or at aaronandjenparkin{at}yahoo{dot}com.

Wheelchair Needed for Borrowing Please!

Does anyone have a wheelchair that we could borrow for a while? If so, please let me know. We would need it as soon as possible, and for maybe a month or two. Please respond to this post or email or call me.
Thank you!!!

shooting stars Thursday

This Thursday there should be a fantastic showing of shooting stars (a meteor shower) visible in our area pending no cloud cover. There should be about 40 shooting stars per hour (one every minute and a half) and the best time to see them will be around midnight. You should be able to see quite a few, though, earlier in the evening.

Bags of Hope

My 5th grade daughter is heading up this service project and I am very proud of her for being inspired by a story she read and in return she would like to help some children who are in need.  All donations will be given to CYFD which will then be given to children who are in the foster care system.  If you have any of the items listed below that you would like to donate, it would be greatly appreciated.  The items can be dropped off at the listed location or I would be happy to come pick them up from you.

Thank you, Heidi C. (VC Ward)

morsyd at gmail dot com

Bags of Hope

The K.C. Club is collecting items for children in need.  We are accepting donations of new or gently used:

·        backpacks, suitcases or duffel bags,

·        blankets of all sizes,

·        stuffed animals,

·        and children’s books.

The donations will be collected the week of November 14–18. The donation box will be located in the lobby at Ventana Ranch Elementary School.  We would greatly appreciate your support and donations.  Thank you.

VRES

Kindness & Compassion Club

Mom's Holiday Shop & Swap.... Spend Nothing

WHEN: This Friday, November 18th

WHERE: The Rogers' Cul-de-sac/corner
(look in Ventana Ranch Ward List...or e-mail to get our address)

TIME: 8:00-9:00 Drop off stuff/trade for tickets.
10:00-11:30 Come and redeem tickets and take "new" stuff home.

Why: Swap things for presents/gifts/or whatever!! (my kids are still young enough that a used toy, is still new to them.) :)

Drop off toys, games, books, kitchen or bathroom stuff, clothes for kids or adults, etc., etc. Please bring things in good condition. We have been getting organized for the holidays, and switching stuff out, pulling winter clothes out, and realize, someone could use this. Also, since our youngest is 3 now, cute rock and ride horse that "neighs", baby sutff, we have good fisher price toys, ages 6 months-2 yrs.), ages 6 months-7 yrs.) that I could give to Savers...or more fun....share with someone else. Maybe I could find some treasures too! I hope we have lots to participate. :) Please e-mail rogersareblessed(at)gmail(dot)com so I can get an idea of how many tables I will need. Also, since we will be getting new stuff for Christmas, I'm still going through stuff to see what we won't play with as much.:)

See you all soon!

A baby shower for Steph and baby Claya

Hey ladies! Cami Austin and I are throwing Stephanie Hansen a baby shower this weekend (Sat.12th at 1pm @Cami's house) all are invited. Sis Stowe is making some yummy food so come and join the fun! Call or email me if you would like to come so we can make food plans. It will be fun to see all the gals from the old ward! Plus, Baby Claya is super cute... and I know Steph would love to have you there to celebrate her baby girl with her.

Marjorie

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Warm up with homemade soups for this months recipe exchange.

Where: Bethany Ostler's home
When: November 15, 12:30-2:00

Bring a yummy soup and be prepared to e-mail your recipe to Stef. See you there!

Food Storage Recipes

I have only gotten two, that right, 2 recipes from last Wednesday's RS activity. So if you want to add any more, please email me at jennifer dot childers at gmail dot com and I will post them. In the mean time, enjoy these recipes.

Salsa Chicken and Black Bean Soup
by Holly Y.

8 c. water
2 T. chicken bouillon
2 chicken breasts
1 c. salsa

Put above ingredients in crockpot on high for 3 hrs.

Shred chicken, then add:
1 tsp cumin, chili powder, dried oregano
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 cans black beans (rinsed)
1 can corn (drained)

Cook on low for 1 hr.  (If you could it longer the herbs become bland.)  Serve with cheese and crushed tortilla chips.


Tasty Breadsticks
by Kristie L.

1 T yeast
1 1/2 c. warm water
2 T granulated sugar
1/2 t. salt
3 c. flour (or use 1/2 whole wheat flour)
1/2 c. butter
onion salt
garlic salt
Italian seasoning
Parmesan cheese


Dissolve yeast in warm water, then add sugar, salt, and flour.  Mix well.  Let dough rise for 10 minutes.  Melt 1/2 c. (1 stick) of butter and spread 1/2 of the butter on a cooking sheet.  Roll out the dough onto the butter-greased sheet.  Spread on the remaining butter on top.  Sprinkle onion salt, garlic salt, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese on top*.  Cut into bread sticks with a pizza cutter.  Let rise for another 15 minutes.  Bake at 375 for 20 minutes.


* I use the recipe found out Our Best Bites for the topping, found here.  I always have some in the fridge.
Also, I used 1/2 white wheat flour at the activity and I will definitely be making it that way again or with even more wheat flour!

Cookie Exchange/Busy Mom Book Club

'Tis the season of busyness. So I am already posting December's Recipe exchange and the Busy Mom Book club. Why am I posting so early? It is because we are combining them next month. So save the date!

When: Thurs, Dec 8th

Time: 12:30pm

Where: Jenny Ch.'s house

What to bring: Recipe Exchange--any Christmas goodie (cookies, bars, toffee, truffles, fudge, etc)

Busy Mom Book club--Your favorite Christmas book--wrapped (we will be exchanging them)

You ask, well, I don't go to the book club, but still want to come. Your in luck. Just because you don't go to the book club, doesn't mean you can come. Just bring your goodies to exchange. For those in the book club, bring the book. Now for the talented ones that will be doing both, bring your goodies AND your book.


Since we will be exchanging cookies, I need a count of how many people want to participate. Please send RSVP to me, jennifer dot childers at gmail dot com by DEC 1st. If you have any questions, comments, concerns, please refer to the above mentioned email and I will respond back. Thanks!

Preschool Busy Bag Swap

My friend from Ventana asked me to post this. Currently six spots are taken, leaving 7 open spots. Sign up soon if interested. If you would like to do one after Christmas (=less stress), I would be willing to coordinate. Bethany

Hi ladies! I would like to get a group together to host a Preschool Busy Bag Swap.

Why make busy bags?

These are a great way to keep a toddler/preschooler busy for 15-30 minutes at a time. I have made 15 bags this fall and I grab a couple and take them to appointments, church or use them at home while I nurse my baby. My daughter loves them and I like that she is learning something and staying busy. These are perfect for the upcoming winter months when we will be inside a lot more.

What are the group guidelines?

1. Make 15 of your busy bag activity (the same activity 15 times)
2. Activity should be geared to the preschool crowd - 2.5-5 year old
3. Activity should be gender neutral
4. Activity needs to fit into a gallon sized ziploc bag
5. Paper pieces should be laminated (I have a laminator I can lend out but you will need to provide your own laminating sheets)
6. Busy bags should be self contained and resuable - nothing should have to be added to the bag over time
7. Busy bag should be convenient and not require any major set up or clean up (no paint, liquids, sand, etc.)
6. There is a spending cap of $20 for all 15 activities (feel free to do it for less though!)
Where can I get activity ideas?

There are TONS of busy bag ideas out there online. A lot of these links include printables/directions to make the activity. Here are a few links to activity ideas

http://therigneys.wordpress.com/2011/08/26/toddler-busy-bag-swap/
http://moneysavingmom.com/tag/busy-bag-ideas
http://www.mydeliciousambiguity.com/search/label/Busy%20Bags
http://theprincessandthetot.blogspot.com/2011/07/toddler-busy-bags.html
http://www.playcreateexplore.com/2011/10/busy-bags.html

How to sign up?
Please leave a comment on this blog post that includes your email address. I will take the first 14 people who sign up making it a total of 15 people. PLEASE only sign up if you are able to create your bags by the December 8 deadline. I will email the group members once I have 14 participants and we can hammer out some details and share our activities to avoid duplications.

Please call or email with additional questions
Monique F. (Ventana Ward)

great free concert Saturday

Do you love music? Would you like to expose your kids to more music? Are you looking for something to do this Saturday night?

You are officially invited to come and enjoy the Stake Fall Music concert this Saturday night at 7 PM at the Stake Center Cultural Hall. It will last about an hour, is family friendly (bring the kids), will have great music from all skill levels and many different instruments, and is free. Also, there will be ice cream sundaes for the refreshments.

Kid's Ornament-Making Class

Santa's Helpers

Kid's Ornament-Making Class

Get a head start on the holidays! Think: teachers, friends, neighbors, cousins, and grandparents. What is the perfect, homemade and thoughtful gift your kids can give themselves? Answer: Handmade ceramic Christmas ornaments.

Join us for a day of ornament-making Saturday, November 26th. Students will have the opportunity to make as many ornaments as they would like and the $15 fee (per child) includes all clay, the 2 hours of studio time, and the first firing.

Two class times available on the 26th:

Preschool Potters (ages 4 to 5), 10am to noon

Clay Kids (ages 6 and up), 1pm to 3pm

Call or email for more details and to register: jennywappett(at)gmail(dot)com, (505)890-3349

Deadline for registration: November 19th

(fired ornaments before paint or glaze)

I need a favor

I am working on a Thanksgiving activity for my little preschool group and need to cut out like 50+ leaves for an activity we're doing.  I was hoping that someone has one of those cool paper cutting machines like a Circut or something similar that I might be able to barrow/come over and use to cut out leaves.  If you have one and are willing to let me use it for like 30 minutes please email me and let me know.  I am looking to do this activity next week.  Thanks!

Lisa B. (from Ventana ward)
mammaburk at gmail (dot) com

All Sewers

A woman in the Ladera ward donated some fabric to our ward for anyone who wants it. There are some "panels" for making girls' jumpers, as well as American Girls Doll clothes. I'm sure some of you sew for your girls and these are cute. . .Daisy Kingdom, etc. Let me know if you want them, or even want to come take a look at them.

Terri

Pumpkin Bread

Whole-Wheat Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups whole-wheat flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon cloves
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup oil
• ½ cup honey
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup chopped chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large mixing bowl whisk together the dry ingredients (from the flour down to the salt).
3. Make a well (hole) in the center and throw in the eggs, oil, honey, and vanilla. Stir together thoroughly with a fork, but do not overmix.
4. Fold in the pumpkin puree and nuts (if using).
5. Generously grease a large loaf pan or put muffin liners in a muffin pan and then pour in the batter.
6. For a loaf bake for approximately 30 – 40 minutes and for muffins bake for approximately 18 – 22 minutes. Check for doneness by making sure a toothpick inserted comes out clean
7. This is from 100daysofrealfood.com