2 more days!!!

Please remember to complete your visiting teaching today or tomorrow. And then REPORT to your supervisor. If you are unable to contact your supervisor, please report to Laurie Johnson.

Thanks a bunch!

Hope everyone has a safe New Year's Eve!

Update on Sister Lund

Sister Joyce Lund is staying at The Gardens (not Signature Point). Please keep her and Sister Jo Grice in your prayers.

Hello Sisters,

Hope your Christmas was merry and bright! Remember that tomorrow is our last Sunday of the year. Please make sure to get your visiting teaching done by Friday. Also, it's our last time for 9 o'clock meetings. We sure hope everyone can join us for one last lesson about our beloved prophet Joseph Smith. (Feel free to read ch. 47 today so you can be prepared to participate in class.) And we look forward to seeing all the new Christmas purses and clothes and shoes and jewelry and hairdos, etc!

With much affection,
The Relief Society Presidency

Remember! Oh, Remember!

Busy holiday season? Please take a breath, and take a few moments to view the video at the link below.

The Christmas Spirit

Merry Christmas, sisters! May the activities and craziness of the season not overshadow the real meaning of the season. I love you!!

Socks and Underwear Report

On December 16th I delivered your generous donations of socks and underwear to the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center.  The staff at the center wanted me to extend a thank-you to all of you who contributed.

We contributed 92 packages of socks and underwear.  As I was packing up the boxes I couldn't help but notice that most of the packages were Costco sized, so I decided to take a count of the actual numbers of items donated:

Socks                       367 Pairs
Panties and briefs      232
Undershirts                 24
Bras                             2
Pajamas                       1

Wow!

Christmas Orange

CHRISTMAS ORANGE

Jake was nine years old with tousled brown hair with blue eyes as bright as a heavenly angel. For as long as Jake could remember he had lived within the walls of a poor orphanage. He was just one of ten children supported by what meager contributions the orphan home could obtain in a continuous struggle seeking donations from townsfolk.
There was very little to eat, but at Christmas time there always seemed to be a little more than usual to eat, the orphanage seemed a little warmer, and it was time for a little holiday enjoyment. But more than this, there was the Christmas orange!
Christmas was the only time of year that such a rare treat was provided and it was treasured by each child like no other food admiring it, feeling it, prizing it and slowly enjoying each juicy section. Truly, it was the light of each orphan's Christmas and their best gift of the season. How joyful would be the moment when Jake received his orange!
Unknown to him, Jake had somehow managed to track a small amount of mud on his shoes through the front door of the orphanage, muddying the new carpet. He hadn't even noticed. Now it was too late and there was nothing he could do to avoid punishment. The punishment was swift and unrelenting. Jake would not be allowed his Christmas orange! It was the only gift he would receive from the harsh world he lived in, yet after a year of waiting for his Christmas orange, is was to be denied him.
Tearfully, Jake pleaded that he be forgiven and promised never to track mud into the orphanage again, but to no avail. He felt hopeless and totally rejected. Jake cried into his pillow all that night and spent Christmas Day feeling empty and alone. He felt that the other children didn't want to be with a boy who had been punished with such a cruel punishment. Perhaps they feared he would ruin their only day of happiness. Maybe, he reasoned, the gulf between him and his friends existed because they feared he would ask for a little of their oranges. Jake spent the day upstairs, alone, in the unheated dormitory. Huddled under his only blanket, he read about a family marooned on an island. Jake wouldn't mind spending the rest of his life on an isolated island, if he could only have a real family that cared about him.
Bedtime came, and worst of all, Jake couldn't sleep. How could he say his prayers? How could there be a God in Heaven that would allow a little soul such as his, to suffer so much all by himself? Silently, he sobbed for the future of mankind that God might end the suffering in the world, both for himself and all others like him.
As he climbed back into bed from the cold, hard floor, a soft hand touched Jake's shoulder, startling him momentarily and an object was silently placed in his hands. The giver disappeared into the darkness, leaving Jake with what, he did not immediately know!
Looking closely at it in the dim light, he saw that it looked like an orange! Not a regular orange, smooth and shiny, but a special orange, very special. Inside a patched together peal were the segments of nine other oranges, making one whole orange for Jake! The nine other children in the orphanage had each donated one segment of their own precious oranges to make a whole orange as a gift for Jake.
Sharing what we truly value is the true spirit of Christmas. Our Heavenly Father gave us His beloved Son. May we, like the children in the orphanage, find ways to share His love with others less blessed.

Rewritten from an anonymous source by Laura Martin-Buhler
Story source

For ideas on how to use this story in FHE, click here.

Blessings from Bethlehem Remembered

Remember our wonderful evening as you view these pictures.  We celebrated Blessings from Bethlehem on December 1st at the Doerk home, the Newcom home and the Herzog home.

Remember the blessings from Bethlehem as you go about your Christmas preparations and celebrations.

Christmas Service

Don't forget!  This is the last chance you have to participate in our RS service project.  On Monday we will deliver the gifts.

We are collecting socks and underwear for the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center.  The Center serves abused children who have been put into the foster care system.  The children range in age from 2-17, and include boys and girls.  Any size or color will be great.

Christmas Stories

Join us for a night of Christmas stories and book gift exchange! The League of Extraordinary Readers will meet next week. ALL SISTERS ARE INVITED to share in the holiday fun.

Thursday, December 10th
7:30pm
Glatz Residence

Bring your favorite Christmas story/picture book and a wrapped, new book for our gift exchange.

Our two hostesses, Tami & Caitie have been planning for this activity for a long time. So please come support them, see their Christmas decorations, and eat their yummy cream puffs! (They're the same ones from our progressive dinner.)

Blessings from Bethlehem

Dallas 4th R.S. invites you to a progressive dinner.

Tuesday
December 1st
7:00 PM
(meet at 6:30 at the church for car pooling)

Appetizers at Doerk residence
Main Course at Newcum residence
Dessert at Herzog residence

If you signed up to bring food, PLEASE TAKE IT TO THE APPROPRIATE HOUSE BEFORE 7:00 PM.

For addresses, directions, and a map, see your invitation passed out in Relief Society.

**If you have not signed up for something, please bring either a side dish or main dish to Sister Newcum's home.

From Thanksgiving to Blessings

As I sit here on this Tuesday evening, it is hard to believe our Relief Society Christmas Progressive Dinner - "Blessings from Bethlehem" - is next week! Yikes! Where does time go and how do I "catch it"? I feel that I barely have time to be "Thanksgiving grateful" before it is time to celebrate, rejoice, and be "Christmas cheerful".
THEN -
I check myself as I am grousing about an abundance of riches. I get to eat and be with family and eat and be with friends (all of you) and eat and celebrate the greatest birth of all and eat and enjoy great music and eat some more.
SO-
"COME What May (Dec 1st "Blessings from Bethlehem"; Ward Christmas Party Dec 4th; Stake Christmas Concert Dec 5th; First Presidency Christmas Fireside Dec 6th) AND LOVE IT"!!

Running for Our Lives

My sister is in the Dallas Stake, and today at their stake conference a man shared a story that I thought was too good not to pass along.

This man gave a really good talk recounting his time living as a boy in Germany. He was born thirteen years prior to World War II. He told of his upbringing as a Hitler Youth and how, in his home, his parents taught him that they were not the superior race--that God loves all of his children equally (he was not Mormon at this time). He then was sent to Czechoslovakia to attend a military school.

One weekend he was ice skating on a lake, but fell in where the ice had thinned out. He fell into water up to his waist. As he lay on the cold snow, his wet clothes literally freezing to his body, a man on a sleigh approached him. He was sure that the man would put him on the sleigh, wrapping him up in the warm furs he had with him, but instead the man made him hold onto the back of the sleigh and run behind it into town, about a two or three mile run.

At the time he did not understand why he was having to run, but he later learned that running is what saved his life. Had he been wrapped up in the furs on the sleigh he would have frozen to death, but by running he kept his blood circulating, and it kept him alive.

This is much like when we pray to Heavenly Father. After we have fallen through thin ice and are freezing, our Heavenly Father has the warm furs to wrap us up in, but instead He makes us run; He makes us run to save our lives. It's hard and not fun at all, but when we finally return to Him, we will be a stronger, better person, and we will be saved. Heavenly Father makes us run to preserve our lives, to keep us moving until it's time to meet Him again.

We want you . . .

to turn in those recipes!

Temple Month & Family History

With the reminder that November is Temple Month for our Relief Society, I'd like to share a few quotes that remind me why I love family history so much:

"We gather these records to identify our ancestors. We identify our ancestors so that we may perform for them the saving ordinances of the gospel in holy temples dedicated to that purpose. It is our responsibility, given to us by the Lord, to help redeem all those of our Father's children who have lived and died without receiving the sacred ordinances of the gospel—yet all have the opportunity to accept or reject the ordinances performed in their behalf. "
-- Elder David B. Haight

In this Church we are not hobbyists in genealogy work. We do family history work in order to provide the ordinances of salvation for the living and the dead. “We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.” (Third Article of Faith)
-- Elder Dallin H. Oaks

And finally a finger wag:

"We must disabuse our minds of the idea that merely ‘going to the temple' discharges our full responsibility, because it does not. That is not enough. … "God holds each of us responsible for saving our own kindred—specifically our own. (Elder Mark E. Peterson)

Call me (Sister Glatz) if I can help you get started with your family history.

Please Send Recipes!!

I know we keep bugging you for your recipes. But that's because the deadline is this weekend!!! Please send in your recipes so you can be included in our ward Recipe Book!
Here's what we have so far:
Appetizer: 5
Beverage: 0
Bread: 8
Breakfast: 6
Dessert: 22
Dip/Sauce: 6
Main Dish: 15
Salad: 8
Side Dish: 10
Soup: 13
Snack: 1
(Total: 93)

We've received recipes from 44 sisters so far. Way to go!!! We've got 61 more sisters who need to submit a recipe.

So if you've already given a recipe, THANK YOU! (Now can you make sure the sisters you visit teach have sent one in to?)

Mosiah 18:9

This has been a sad week for the Dallas 4th Ward as we mourn the death of Jeff Martin and what it means to Paula Martin and their children. They have been members of this ward for many years. Jeff fainted, broke a leg as a result, and within hours died in the emergency room of the hosptial. It was very sudden (ask Bonnie Muir to explain it!) and Paula is left with a whole new set of details. The funeral, this Saturday at 11am - Stake Center, will happen and then Paula will be alone to figure out what it all means. In Mosiah 18:9, we are told to "mourn with those that mourn and comfort those who need comforting". The immediate details of this sudden death will occupy Paula's time and emotions for the moment. BUT, the following weeks ahead are when she will need a visit, a phone call, or a kind note in the mail. Mourning someone is a process and comforting them is a process too - over time. I hope we will be there for Paula in the months ahead.
Here is her contact information:
Paula Martin
7905 LaCosa Dr. Dallas 75248
972-960-0404

The Soul Connection

We had such a great time yesterday as we had an opportunity to share our testimonies with one another and share a wonderful meal offered by Kathy Smith. The spirit was felt by everyone present and we are looking forward to many meetings like this one with many more people. Please help find other sisters that are missing in our group. As we share our experiences we can grow together as daughters of God.

We will be contacting you soon with information on our next meeting. Please contact Magda @ shemagez@hotmail.com with any suggestions or questions regarding these meetings.

Special Requests

We received a special request of specific recipes from some sisters for our recipe book.

I'd love to have Christie Pyne's toffee, M.K. Tanner's cheese ball, Karen Armstrong's queso, Bonnie Muir's baked beans/easy chili, Jeanne Grant's "staple" cookie recipe, and Ruth Hale's baked beans

SWINE FLU PRECAUTIONS

Sisters - My son is a Head, Nose and Throat Doctor, and he shares the following with all his patients regarding the ability to prevent Swine Flu.


The H1N1 like other influenza A viruses, only infects the upper respiratory tract and proliferates only there. The portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. It is almost impossible not coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of precautions. While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps can be practiced:


1. Frequent hand-washing.


2. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water, H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.


3. Clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. You should blow you nose hard once a day and swab both nostrils with a Q-tip dipped in warm salt water - which is very effective in bringing down viral population.


4. Drink as much warm liquids as you can. Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.


All these simple ways to prevent are within the means of most households. While talking with my son, he had read a lot of information from available sources to help his patients, and I thought they were simple and worthwhile to pass on to all of you

Book Discussion

Have you ever loved anything so much that it became an obsession? You know, like a favorite song or a favorite food? Well, once upon a time there was this man who loved books too much. In fact, he loved them so much that he couldn't live without them. And because he couldn't live without books, he stole them. But there was another man who also loved books. He collected and sold books in Salt Lake City. And when the first man stole books from the second man, their worlds collided. Come learn about what happened to these two men at our next book discussion.

The League of Extraordinary Readers would love to have YOU join their exploration of these two men and the moral compasses that guide them.

This Thursday, November 5th

7:30pm

Jeanne Grant's home

Whatcha got cookin'?

Don't forget to bring your favorite recipes to add to the Relief Society cookbook!

A Fond Farewell

We want to wish a fond farewell to those sisters who have recently moved from our ward:

Heather Mignani, who served in Primary
K.C. White, who served in Primary
Melanie Ralston, who served in Young Women
Ann Cox-Miller, who was in our ward only a short while

We wish each of these sisters the very best in their new wards.

Recipe Game

Sister Newcum submitted a recipe for Scalloped Potatoes. Can you guess which ingredient is missing from this list?

• Potatoes
• Heavy Cream
• Salt
• Grated Swiss Cheese
• Garlic Cloves
• White Pepper

(I haven't received any more recipe submissions since I updated the blog last Monday. So see the previous post to know how you're team is doing. Remember, your team leader is your Visiting Teaching Supervisor.)

I hope to get more recipes from you tomorrow!!!

Recipe Submission Teams--Updated Oct 26th

Guess what yummy Fall, main dish I am:
I need apricot jam, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, mandarin oranges and a specific type of meat.


Answer: Crock Pot Pork Chops!
Submitted by Karen Bateman

*******************************
Team 1: Debra Newcum
Submissions so far = 3

Team 2: Kathleen Smith
Submissions so far = 1

Team 3: Marie Housley
Submissions so far = 3

Team 4: Holley Rock
Submissions so far = 3

Team 5: Nancy Chanz
Submissions so far = 4

**Remember to turn in your recipes**

Recipe Info

Hi sisters. I guess there has been some confusion about how to submit a recipe through the blog. Let me try to explain better. There are 2 different ways to do it. (If you already know how, just skip this post.)

1. With your computer mouse, highlight the "template" in the previous Recipe Book post. You can find it here. Then, keeping it highlighted, hold down the "Ctrl" key and type the letter "C". Then open your email or Microsoft Word or Word Pad. Click your computer mouse in the text area of whatever program you opened. Then hold down the "Ctrl" key and type the letter "V". Now the template should be on that screen. Now just add in the recipe. Save the document if you're in Microsoft Word or Word Pad. Then email me the recipe. My email address is hermanablack[at]hotmail[dot]com (I'm not putting my email address here the normal way so that people who send spam can't find my link in this blog.)

2. The other way to do this is to click on "comment" at the bottom of this post or the previous post. Type in your recipe there. You don't have to actually type in "Holiday: Christmas." You can just answer the questions in the right order. For example: "Christmas, Breakfast, Cinnamon Rolls, Sister X, my mom, . . ."

If this proves to be too confusing or difficult, please feel free to turn in a hand-written or typed recipe to me on Sunday.

If you'd like me to call you to help talk you through it, please leave a comment here or email me and I'll be happy to call you. You can also find my phone number in the ward directory, or anyone in the presidency I'm sure can give it to you. (Again, I'm wary of putting my phone number on the blog in case a stranger finds it.)

Hope this is helpful.

Play Group Playtime!!

Relief Society Play Group will meet on Tuesday October 27 between 10:30 and 12:00 in the cultural hall/gym at the church. Please feel free to bring balls or riding toys for your kiddos. Contact Katharine Craig with any questions.

D4 R.S. Recipe Book

Sisters, we want your holiday recipes! Please submit one, two, or three recipes you’d like to share with our Relief Society sisters! You can submit them through email to Ruth Guerreiro. You can also leave a comment here on the blog with your recipe in the comment. If you are not able to type your recipe, please write it out using the template below and give it to Sister Jeanne Grant, Sister Natalie Marstella, or Sister Ruth Guerreiro.

Remember, we’re having a competition to see which Visiting Teaching District can be the first to get their recipes in. The winning District gets home-made cookies from Sister Grant. YUM!

Holiday:

□ New Year’s

□ Valentine’s

□ St. Patrick’s

□ Easter

□ Independence Day

□ Labor Day

□ Halloween

□ Thanksgiving

□ Christmas

Category:

□ Appetizer

□ Beverage

□ Bread

□ Breakfast

□ Dessert

□ Dip/Sauce

□ Main Dish

□ Salad

□ Side Dish

□ Soup

□ Other: ___________________________

Recipe Name: __________________

Submitted by: ___________________

Source: ________________________

Oven Temperature? _______________

How many servings does this recipe make? ___

Ingredients:

Directions:

Please answer only one of the following in a complete sentence (this will be included in the cookbook as a little blurb below the recipe):

• Why you like/love this recipe
• What this recipe goes well with/what you serve this with
• Why this recipe is special
• A variation on this recipe that you do
• Insider’s tip about how to make this recipe easier/better/quicker

Children's Socks and Underwear

Sisters, please remember our Christmas project to collect new socks and underwear for the Children's Advocacy Center of Dallas.

Today when I was at Target I found boys underwear marked 75% off and boys socks marked 50% off.  I didn't check the girl's section but there may be similar bargains there.  Remember that the Center provides services for both boys and girls ages 2-17.  If you haven't contributed to the project yet this could be a good opportunity to do so.    

Who loves to read?

Do you remember when you started to enjoy reading? How old were you? Which books did you like to read? What was the first book you remember loving? At our book discussion on Oct 1st, Sister Grant taught us that the type of books we fell in love with as children are usually the same types of books we read as adults. She remembers reading Nancy Drew novels to her father--which is why she choose "Mystery" as our book theme for September. One of the great things about reading a mystery novel is that your mind becomes engaged as you try to solve the case along with the detective. Just as Sherlock Holmes and Nero Wolfe, we too are often detectives in life. We look for motives that make people act the way they do. We look for clues to solutions of everyday concerns. And we find ourselves giving advice to those around us. Often we can find people who act out of fear. But hopefully we are all working towards acting out of love. Thanks Jeanne for leading our discussion and thanks to Melissa for hosting us at your new house and providing yummy Italian canolis.

This month of October, we'll be reading the true story about a man who stole books and the detective who chased him. The book is called The Man Who Loved Books Too Much by Allison Hoover Bartlett. It was just released in September 2009 and has 288 pages. We will be discussing it on November 5th.

As the holidays approach, we are mindful that life gets busy. Therefore, we'll only be reading one book this month. And we've got something super fun and "Christmasy" planned for our meeting in December so stay tuned!

Book Discussion October 1st!

League of Extraordinary Readers
Book Discussion
TOMORROW
Thursday
October 1st
Melissa Hayes' new home
7:30 PM

We will discuss The Doorbell Rang by Rex Stout and The Hound of the Baskervilles (A Sherlock Holmes novel) by Sir Arthur Doyle.

Please come! We promise yummy refreshments and uplifting social interaction! (Even if you haven't read the books, we welcome your company.)

(You can find Melissa's new address on the R.S. calendar passed out on Sunday. Otherwise, please contact Melissa Hayes, Jeanne Grant, or Ruth Guerreiro for more information.)

Heart to Heart

I have taped the 2009 Relief Society General Conference. Several of you commented that you missed the opportunity to see it last Saturday. Let me know and I will schedule a time when we can watch it at my home. I know we all appreciate how important it is to listen/view/understand what the Lord would have us do at this point in our earthly life. AND, always remember you are seen and loved here in the Dallas 4th Ward!

Special Genealogy Fireside, Friday Oct. 9

Whether you are planning to attend the Great Family Search genealogy conference on October 10th or not, EVERYONE is invited to the special Fireside on Friday evening, October 9th at 7:00 p.m., at the Roundrock Stake Center, 2700 Roundrock Trail, Plano.

The speaker will be Steve Anderson, Manager of Marketing & Public Affairs for FamilySearch in Salt Lake City, speaking on "Why Family History Matters".

Vinyl Nativity Glass Block

Materials Needed:
Vinyl
Glass block
Wired ribbon (at least 2 yards to make a pretty bow)
Stencil paper
String of white lights (make sure the cords are white too)
Popsicle stick or credit card to rub the vinyl

Instructions:
1. Make sure the outside surface of the block is clean.
2. Place the vinyl on a table and rub the top of the vinyl with a credit card or popsicle stick, so the clear plastic tape on top of the vinyl (black part) will adhere to the vinyl.
3. Start at the bottom corner and peel the backing off slowly. If it does not come off the backing, rub the top again, so it will stick to the clear tape.
4. Once you have the vinyl off the backing, place the vinyl on your block. The small opening of the block should be at the bottom. Again, start at one corner or side of the vinyl and work your way across with one hand to get all the bubbles out as you lay it onto the block.
5. Rub the clear plastic tape (only where the vinyl is) with a credit card or popsicle stick to make sure the vinyl now sticks to the glass.
6. Pull the clear tape slowly off the vinyl.
7. Once the tape is off your block, you can rub the vinyl with your fingers to get out any bubbles.
8. Cut a piece of stencil paper to make a square the size of the inside of your block.
9. Softly bend/roll the stencil paper to fit into your glass block. Once inside, it should open up to lay flat.
10. Turn your block over so the vinyl is touching the table and the stencil paper is against the glass side with the vinyl.
11. Stuff your string of lights into the glass block so they will be behind the stencil paper once standing up. Leave the end of the strand and the plug hanging out of the block.
12. Wrap ribbon around your block and tie a bow at the top.

Where to buy materials:
The glass blocks can be found at Hobby Lobby.
Stencil paper, popsicle sticks, and string of lights can be found at any craft store, Walmart, etc.
Vinyl can be found online:
www.sayitonthewall.com
www.theletterfactory.blogspot.com (now closed, but might be open later)
www.ccvinyl.blogspot.com
www.pmkcrafts.com
www.adheringthoughts.com or click here for blog
www.vinylgiftsandmore.com (here's the same nativity scene pictured above)

Change of plans for FamilySearching group

Just an FYI that the FamilySearching interest group will NOT be meeting this month (September) due to scheduling conflicts (along with my having been out of town for three weeks). See you in October!

Domino Ornaments

DOMINO ORNAMENTS: To do PICTURE ORNAMENTS, you need a picture that is 1 inch by 2 inches. There are two programs that I have used: Microsoft Image Pro 9 or Microsoft Image Suite 2006 Editor. There is also Photoshop. The pictures are applied by putting a light coat of white glue with a foam brush. The picture ornaments are sprayed lightly with a clear acrylic sealer to seal. To do the STAMPED ORNAMENTS, you must use a stamp pad called Stazon, which is permanent and can be purchased at any craft store, I find it easier to ink the stamp and lay it on the table and push the domino onto the stamp for the best placement.

TO FINISH BOTH DOMINOES: Lay 1/4 inch of "Tacky Tape" around the edge of domino - it has a pink protective cover. Peel off the pink cover, and use that to measure the amount of velvet ribbon you will need. The ribbon is 5/8th of an inch wide. Lay the ribbon around the double sided tape - meeting at top - do not overlap, as your bead will not have a level surface to adhere to. Glue long silver bead on top with either Fabric Tac or "Mighty Mendit" and shape an extra-long ornament hook as the hanger, bending the ends in slightly to stay in the bead.

WHERE TO BUY: Dominoes can be purchased at Wal-Mart, 1/4 inch "Tacky Tape" and 5/8th of an inch velvet ribbon at Hobby Lobby, The large, long Silver Beads were purchased at Hobby Lobby in the Jewelry making department, and the extra-long ornaments hooks at Hobby Lobby in the Christmas ornament area. Fabric Tac is at Hobby Lobby and "Mighty Mendit" at Bed, Bath and Beyond.

Handmade Soap

Hand Made Soap

You can learn about more about soap making on soapcalc.net. You can also go to this sight and come up with your own recipes using different oils. Another good spot for recipes is thesage.com.  Basic soap is a combination of oil, water, and lye. You can’t make soap without lye. Lye causes the chemical reaction that turns the fat into soap.

In this instruction set you will find a basic recipe for soap using ingredients you have on hand or that you can purchase at a grocery store. Lye can usually be purchased at a hardware store. I have found it at C&S. Make sure you buy 100 percent lye. It will be in the plumbing department next to the drain openers. You can find fragrance oil at Super Walmart next to the candle making supplies. I found these fragrances work great but be aware that any vanilla scent will turn your soap brown, which is okay if you want brown soap. You can find colorants at Michael’s in the soap making section. All of these items can also be purchased on line at thesage.com or southernsoapers.com.

Along with the recipe ingredients, you will need to gather some basic soap making equipment. You will need a basic scale to weigh out the oils, lye, and water. You will need a small plastic pail for the water/lye mixture. You will need some newspaper to line all of your work surfaces. You will need some rubber gloves and safety goggles to protect your hands and eyes from the lye. You will need a plastic pail that you can put in the microwave to melt the oils. You will need an instant read thermometer to measure the temperature of your oils and your lye water. You will need a hand blender to mix the oil and lye water. You will need a spoon and a rubber spatula. You will need some molds for your soap. The mold can be as easy as a Velveeta box lined with parchment paper or a silicone pan.


Ingredient                                    Ounces                
Water                                               24.32           
 Lye - NaOH                                      9.245
         
# √ Oil/Fat                 %              Ounces               
1
Crisco                       50                     32              
2
Milk Fat (Butter)      37.5                  24                 
3
Coconut                    12.5                    8              

The first step is to line your work area with newspaper. You should even line the sink. Put on your goggles and gloves. Weigh out the water. You can use ice as part of the water. This helps the temperature to cool to the correct temperature more quickly. Put your water pail in the sink. Weigh out the lye. Add the lye to the water and stir. Step away from the lye/water. You can take off the goggles and gloves for a time. Weigh out the oils and put them in the plastic microwavable pail.
Put the oils in the microwave just until everything is melted.

At this point you need to take the temperature of the lye/water and the oil. Wait until the temperature is between 110-120 degrees F for both the lye/water and the oils to proceed to the next step. This is important! If the temperature is too high your soap will turn into an oily mess! Believe me, I have made a few too many oily messes before I discovered this.

Put on your gloves and goggles. When the oil and lye/water are at the right temperature add the lye water to the oil pail. Use a hand-held blender to stir this mixture. When the pioneers did this step it would take several hours to get the soap blended.  With the miracle of a handheld blender this step only takes about 3 or 4 minutes.  Blend the mixture until it becomes the thickness of a thin pudding or gravy. This is called trace. Add 1 1/2 to 2 ounces of fragrance oil and incorporate with the hand-held blender. Add any colorant, incorporating with the blender. Carefully pour the soap into the molds.  Clean up is pretty easy because you have just made soap.  Use plenty of warm water.

Wait for 24 hours before you cut the soap. Allow the soap to dry for 3 weeks before you use it. It needs some time to complete its chemical processes and to dry out.

So, what happens if you have a big oily mess? Don’t panic. Just wait a few hours and take the oily mess out of molds .   Use a mixer and mix it up just like whipping up mashed potatoes.  If the soap is too thick put it in the microwave for a few minutes.  Put the soap back in the molds and bake it in the oven at 200 degrees for a couple of hours. Take it out of the oven and let it sit over night.  Cut the soap the next day.  You can use this soap 2 or 3 days after it is cut because the oven processing has speeded up the chemical process. I’ve never made a soap mistake that I could not redeem by this method.

After you learn to make basic soap you can get artistic!  Good Luck.

Family Picture Pillow

From Hobby Lobby Joanne Poulsen purchased TransferMagic Inkjet Transfer Paper. This paper is located near the fabric paints. Joanne found a decorative pillow at Tuesday Morning which had a stain on it so it was discounted. Joanne just placed the picture over the stain and sewed it on.

If making a decorative pillow, follow the instructions below using a light colored piece of fabric to transfer the image onto. Afterwards, cut image to size and sew onto deocrative pillow. If making a picture pillowcase, transfer the picture image directly onto the pillowcase. Either way use trims, laces, cording, etc. to border the image and add decoration to the pillow (pillowcase).

Printing & Transferring Instructions using an Iron:
1) Printing and Preparing Image:
*The white/non-glossy (without purple line)is the print side of the paper.
*For top loading printers place paper in tray with the purple line away from you. For bottom loading printers, place paper in tray with purple line up.
*Print design on the paper as a MIRROR IMAGE (reverse image).
*Prior to printing, print a test on economy grade paperfor layout/design.
2) Cut Out Design
*Cut out design leaving a narrow margin around edge of the image.
*Round off edge to avoid corner liftoff after washing.
3) Preparing for Transfer:
*Empty water from iron. Preheat iron to cotton setting. NO steam.
*Fabric should be 100% cotton or polycotton blend.
*Lay fabric on HARD SMOOTH SURFACE. NO ironing boards.
*Iron fabric first, if necessary to ensure flatness.
*Let fabriccool before ironing transfer images. You may use a thin pillowcase to protect your ironing surface. NO towels.
*Place transfer paper with printed image facing down (purple line up) in desired position on fabric.
4) Ironing/Transferring Image:
*Apply hot, dry iron and apply pressure while ironing over paper. The trick is in the pressure applied and the ironing time.
5) Peel:
*Allow fabric to cool completely, then smoothly and evenly peel away backing paper.
*To faciliate peeling, gently fold the fabric near an edge of the transferring image.

Decorative Christmas Plates

Supplies for the Project:
*Mod Podge or other decoupage sealer/glue
*Foam Paint Brush
*Clear Glass Plate -- note: I find these at yard sales, the dollar store, and other discount stores for very little
*Print cotton, or poly/cotton fabric
*Razor Blades
*Newspapers
*Coffee can or other object with a large diameter

Directions:
1) Wash and dry the plate.
2) Lay the plate on your fabric and move the plate around untilthe pattern you see see through the plate looks good.
3)Cut out the fabric. Leaveabout one inch of fabric beyond the edge of the plate.
4) Over newspaper, "paint" Mod Podge on the FRONT of the fabric. Make certain to coat the fabric well.
5) On another sheet of newspaper, lay the plate face down.
6)Spread the fabric over theback of the plate. You should pick up the plate and look through it to make sure you have the fabric positioned the way you want it.
7) Smooth out the bubbles in the fabric. Along the edges, smooth the fabric over the rim of the plate.
8) Once you have the fabric smoothed and you make certain it is adhering to the rim, place the plate face down on a coffee can, or some other object with a large diameter, to dry. The Mod Podge will dry in a few hours, but if you can leave it overnight the excess fabric will be easier to trim.
9) Once the fabric is dry, trim the excess fabric from the rim with a razor blade.

If you have gotten Mod Podge on the front of the plate, you can scrape it off with your fingernail or rub it off with a dry, plastic dish scrubber.

The plate can't be submerged in water to wash it, but you can wipe off the face with a damp cloth.

Genealogy News & Events

If you are considering going to the Great Family Search genealogy conference, hosted by several area Stake Family History Centers, the pre-registration deadline is October 1st. After that date you will not be able to order the $2 syllabus CD, or a boxed lunch. There is a limit of 500 people to the event, and you don't want to be turned away if you're not pre-registered! Download the registration form at www.GreatFamilySearch.com

Unfortunately, due to some scheduling conflicts (plus my having been out of town for the past 3 weeks) the FamilySearching interest group will not be meeting in September.

Super Saturday Success!

We had a wonderful turnout at the Super Saturday Christmas in September activity today. Thanks to all who came and participated. We enjoyed yummy breakfast, socializing, making new friends, and creating cute crafts! We were having so much fun that we forgot to take pictures when everyone was there. But here are some before and after shots.









A big thanks especially goes to Karen Bateman and Bonnie Muir for organizing the event.

Still to come: Instructions and pictures of each craft

Last-minute update for Nativity Blocks

Sisters who have signed up for the Nativity Blocks for Super Saturday: A few things . . .

1. If you want to have a big bow at the top of your block, make sure your ribbon is at least 2 yards long.

2. Could you please bring some scissors to share? (Please tie a small ribbon on the handle or something to identify yours.)

3. It's best if you can buy your string of lights before Saturday so you won't have to untie your bow to add the lights later. See previous post about where you can find them for a good deal.

We ARE Friends

In studying the Relief Society lesson for this Sunday, Chapter 40 in the Joseph Smith manual, I came upon a great poem by an unknown author-

"I saw him once, he stood a moment there,

He spoke a word that laid his spirit bare.

He grasped my hand then passed beyond my ken-

But what I was, I shall not be again."

We are constantly given opportunities, by the Lord through this church organization, to rub shoulders, socialize (remember Super Saturday on Sept 19th!!!), serve, and become friends. Since I have had this calling, and have rubbed shoulders with many of you, I feel I will not ever be the same again. I am better because I have you as my friends!

Scout Shirt Round-up

The cub scout pack and the scout troop are in need of scout shirts for the closet. If you have a shirt that your son has outgrown please contact Angie Alford.

Sweet Surprise

For any of you who store or use massive amounts of white sugar I found a great deal at Sams Club on Coit Road. You can buy 25 pounds of white Imperial Brand Extra Fine Granulated Sugar for $6.01. That is less than half of the regular price. I think they are changing the packaging or the brand Sams carries.

Update.

I went in to buy some more sugar and found the price is up to $11.32. I guess it was a pricing error. I hope at least some of you got the good deal.

Recipe for dessert from Book Club

No Bake Double Good Dessert

Ingredients:
Chocolate sandwich cookies (Oreos), crushed
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cup smooth peanut butter
12 oz. frozen whipped topping (Cool Whip), thawed
1/4 cup melted butter

Directions:
Crush cookies, reserve about 1/4 cup.
Add melted butter to crushed cookies and press to 9x13 pan.
Cover and put in freezer while preparing everything else.
Beat together softened cream cheese and powdered sugar.
Add peanut butter.
Fold in whipped topping.
Spread on top of crushed cookies.
Sprinkle with left-over cookies and drizzle on chocolate syrup as desired.
Freeze 1-2 hours.
Thaw 10-15 minutes before serving.

Source: Allrecipes.com (click here for original recipe, picture, customer ratings, and suggestions)

Reading for September

The Doorbell Rang
by Rex Stout

and/or

The Hound of the Baskervilles (Sherlock Holmes)
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Lights for Nativity Glass Block

FYI for those who have signed up to make the Nativity Blocks:

Hobby Lobby has 20 light sets for $1.27 and 35 light sets for $2.99 but you can go to HobbyLobby.com and print a 40% off coupon this week which makes either light set very cheap. You should buy the white wire sets, not the green wire sets as they show much less. Sister Bateman was able to use the 35 light set very nicely, but only loosened the cord and did not unwind, so it stuffed into the glass block nicely.

Super Saturday Sign-up

Don't forget to sign up for your Super Saturday Classes. Check your email for a list of classes and prices. The Deadline to sign up is Saturday, Sept 5th. You will need to pay for your classes by Sunday, Sept 6th. Super Saturday is September 19th from 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM.

Cooking 101

Cooking 101 will now be meeting every other month. Since we had a class in August, the next class will be in October. Stay tuned for when and where!

Required Reading

The League of Extraordinary Readers will meet this Thursday, September 3rd, 7:30pm, Mary Reid's home. We will be discussing To Kill a Mockingbird and Pride & Prejudice. I'm sure everyone has read at least one of these, so please come join us for an "enriching" discussion. Be sure to bring your sweet tooth: I'm bringing the dessert!

2 favorite quotes

Hi Sisters,
Just wanted to share a couple quotes with everyone.

"When, in situations of stress, we wonder if there is any more in us to give, we can be comforted to know that God, who knows our capacity perfectly, placed us here to succeed."
------Elder Neal A. Maxwell, A More Determined Discipleship, Feb 1979 Ensign

"To be a righteous woman is a glorious thing in any age. To be a righteous woman during the winding up scenes on this earth, before the second coming of our Savior, is an especially noble calling. The righteous woman's strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times . . . Other institutions in society may falter and even fail, but the righteous woman can help save the home which may be the last and only sanctuary some mortals know in the midst of storm and strife."
------President Spencer W. Kimball, Privileges and Responsibilities of Sisters, Nov 1978 Ensign

Just a reminder

"The Lord has also placed upon the individual members of the Church a responsibility. It is our duty as individuals to seek after our immediate dead – those of our own line. This is the greatest individual responsibility that we have, and we should carry it through in behalf of our fathers who have gone before." -- President Joseph Fielding Smith

Be sure to send in your free registration for the Plano Great Family Search genealogy conference (www.greatfamilysearch.com) if you are even thinking about attending (it tends to fill up!)

There are classes for every level of family history, so if you've been thinking you need to start, this is where you should be. Friday night will be a fireside for members only, so definitely plan to attend that. There will be a speaker from Salt Lake, and these talks area really inspirational.

FREE FUN!

It is the end of the summer, but, we are always "up" for free fun when it comes to raising our families. The Dallas Morning News offers a web link named GuideLive.com that will give you (mother or grandmother) many free children's events to help a family with small children stay entertained till the Halloween candy hits the streets. Check it out!

Two Cans of Corn, September 2009 Ensign

There is an awesome article in the new September Ensign. It is called "Two cans of corn: Home Storage for Newlyweds."

A bishop gave a new couple advice to watch what was on sale each week. When they went shopping, they were to buy a few cans each time. It was so cheap they wouldn't notice the extra cost, but over time their food supply would increase. Their first purchase was two cans of corn. Six months later the husband lost his job, and they relied on the storage they had. The article continues on to talk about storing you food storage, saving money, how to increase your short term storage, and gaining a testimony of food storage.

My husband and I started this way when we got married three years ago, and we still have to build our food storage this way. We don't have a lot of extra money every month to buy large amounts of food storage. We buy a few cans and cases of water each paycheck. We have also been fortunate that my dad has "gifted" us several cases of food storage from the cannery for birthdays and Christmas. We live in a very small apartment, but have found ways to incorporate these boxes and cans into our home, because we know how important it is to have this storage. They are in our closets, under our bed, stacked in the corner of the kitchen, etc. I admit that I was kind of embarrassed that these boxes were visible, but we have had many missionary opportunities to explain to our friends the importance of food storage and self reliance. They are a conversation starter for sure!

I have a testimony that no matter how small the effort, you will be blessed. Even if you can only buy two cans at a time, your efforts and diligence to follow the Prophet will not go unnoticed to the Lord. There are so many resources online to help with your storage, and our own ward even has Sister Pyne who is SO knowledgeable in food storage. She is so excited about it and willing to help anyone. I would love to hear other people's experiences with food storage as well!

"Bee" Prepared Recipe

Substitute for "Eagle Brand" Sweetened Condensed Milk from food storage powdered milk:
1/2 cup hot water
1 cup powdered milk
1 cup sugar
1 tbsp butter
Directions:
Blend in blender very well. Can be stored in refrigerator or freezer.
Makes 14oz

Family History is exciting! Uncovering murder & mayhem in Texas!

During August's FamilySearching meeting, one of our RS sisters shared some of her recent genealogy findings with me, and the stories she’s uncovered are fascinating! From searching in books online, read what interesting information she learned regarding the brother of a 3rd great grandmother: “...the elder Philip left the state in a hurry for Texas, with a $750 reward on his head for murder... to avoid attention or arrest, Philip changed his name to his mother’s maiden name..

In Texas Philip became a ‘colonist of the Empresario Stephen F. Austin and was awarded 4,446 acres of land in Washington County, TX in 1831. He was also a fast-living man... On December 6, 1852, Philip was murdered... Family sources say it was in a poker game, but the local press merely stated that Oliver “inflicted upon him four pistol shots. (Philip) was unarmed and could make no resistance.”

“...(his son) Phil (Jr.) Joined the Confederate Army as a young man, but after only one day of discipline (during which time he struck an officer) he deserted and made his way to Mexico... According to family sources, he was a large man, 6'4" tall and weighed 220-225 pounds. He had black hair which he wore in a pompadour, a mustache, but no sideburns. Men who had seen him said he had the coldest gray eyes they had ever seen. His visits home were infrequent, and the family noted that he was not disposed to make himself sociable, and was known to lock himself away in his room and play the violin for days upon end.” The book continued to describe Phil Jr.’s life, and his death - he was killed in a shootout with Wild Bill Hickock!

If you want to find out how to find some of your family’s stories, come to the FamilySearching interest group in September, and be sure to register for (& attend) the free Great Family Search conference in Plano in October (www.greatfamilysearch.com)!

Covenants

ATTENTION - PLEASE READ!

Sisters, please read the blog directly below concerning our SUPER SATURDAY on September 19th. Click on the link given in the blog. Tell a member of the Relief Society Presidency this Sunday that you read the blog and we will have a special treat for all the sisters that participate in this exercise!! (We are trying to see how many of you are reading our Dallas 4th Relief Society updates through the blog.)

SUPER SATURDAY IS COMING.....

Sisters - Super Saturday is coming on September 19th - We don't get alot of time to just be together and CREATE - it is part of our natures as women - Please click on the link below and listen to Elder Uchtdorf's message entitled Create!
http://www.youtube.com/mormonmessages?gclid=CIKVt-Gys5wCFRHxDAodWwkAng#play/all/favorites-all/2/RhLlnq5yY7k

Orange Rice Pilaf (from RS Birthday Dinner)

2 tbsp butter
zest of 1 orange
juice of 2 oranges
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup long grain rice
1/3 cup onions, finely chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup frozen baby peas
1/3 cup slivered toasted almonds (garnish)
Directions:
Add the first seven ingredients to rice cooker container. Cover and cook until liquid evaporates, about 20 minutes. The last 7 minutes of cooking time, add the frozen peas. After cooking is done, allow to stand for 10 miniutes. Serve and top with slivered almonds.
Makes 2 cups

Super Saturday Sign Up

Playgroup Play Time!

Need to cool off your kids? The Playgroup will meet on Friday, August 21 at 3:30 p.m. at the Heights Park Splash Playground (711 West Arapaho Road, Richardson). The splash playground is adjacent to the swimming pool. Parents going to the splash playground only generally are not charged. Swimming pool fees are $2.00 per person for five and up; children four and under are free of charge. Hope to see you there!
Contact Katharine Craig with any questions.

"Our Benevolent Natures"

Last night I received a "fruit pizza" from Esther Davis. It was one of the best desserts I have eaten and I really want the recipe. But it made me think about our lesson this Sunday. This week we have a relief society lesson on the divine nature of the Relief Society. The organization of women after the order and wisdom of God was unique in the 1840's and is still amazing in its contribution today. Joseph Smith prophesied that it would bring out and enhance our benevolent natures and I see this time and time again in the Dallas 4th Ward. I am impressed with the numerous acts of charity given to so many. You give rides to Joyce Lund, visits with Elizabeth Woodling and Mildred Tonks; countless appointments to visit and teach each other; phone calls when one is absent; concern and food when women are sick or struggling; and the benefit of the doubt given when one "could" be offended by another. You attend meetings and interest groups just to support one another. You sign up for one more thing when you have twelve other items on the calendar. You extend and extend your hearts and means and I am humbled to be in a position to witness so much of this.

You are Divine! You have benevolent natures! Relief Society is an organization full of charity for all because of each one of YOU!
****(AND, we have alot of really good "cooks" in this ward so we will start a recipe book - my latest inspiration!!!)