Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Controlling Family Finances

President Guilbrandson likes to show this fun video to couples about to be married. Take a look!
http://consumerist.com/consumer/clips/snl-skit-dont-buy-stuff-you-cant-afford-252491.php

Melissa's Famous Bread!

If you missed the bread making class last week, here is the fabulous bread recipe from Sister Knighton. If you do not have a Bosch and are doing it in a mixer, half the recipe so it doesn't burn up your motor and round up yeast to the next measurement. Thanks so much Melissa!

Honey whole wheat bread
(makes 4-12oz and 3-2lb loaves)
6c warm water (115F)
2TBS salt
2/3c canola oil
1c honey
8c fresh ground flour (to begin with)
1c dry milk powder
3TBS instant yeast
*optional* 2-3 TBS dough enhancer


In Bosch bowl, add water, salt, oil (first to coat cup) and honey (will slide out of already-oiled cup). Mix to combine. Add 4-6c fresh flour, dry milk powder, then remaining flour and yeast. Mix on speed one and continue to add flour until dough starts to clean the side of the bowl. Continue mixing for 7-10mins to develop gluten. Remove from bowl, weigh and shape into greased loaf pans. Bake at 350F until internal temp is 180F or about 18-20mins on mini loaves and 23-25mins on large (or until your desired crust color is achieved). Remove onto cooling racks immediately after baking. Rub unsalted butter over tops, allow to cool. Bag and freeze or eat, enjoy!

Are You Ready?

On Saturday, August 22, 2009, from 9am-12pm, City of Mesa (COM) Citizen Corp will host the first, all 1st Responder Volunteer Conference. The theme for this conference, “Are YOU Ready?” is to inquire and assist our volunteers in developing their individual “Family Disaster Plan.” This scheduled three hour conference is being held at Mesa’s Police and Fire Training Academy located at 3260 N. 40th Street, Mesa. Seating will be limited. City volunteers are a vital component, which assists with the critical operational responsibilities tasked to first responders. During times of disaster, trained volunteerism would become a key component in expanding the role of first responders within our communities. Yet, before our volunteers can realistically assist city organizations, their families must be prepared with basic fundamentals. COM Emergency Management is encouraging individuals to become more emergency prepared and disaster ready. This conference will expand on the concept of “Have a Plan, Have a Kit, and Stay Informed” in preparation for emergency, or disaster events. Everyone should have their own individual “Family Disaster Plan.” The objective of this 1st Responder Conference is to educate and share with our volunteers essential concepts in developing their “Family Disaster Plan.” Coordinators, collectively I am asking you to please encourage your volunteers to become aware of and also attend this conference. Please assist me in determining a possible head count of attendees, by sending me the number of members from your volunteer group, which you anticipate will attend this conference. Additional conference information will be sent as this conference date approaches, but please feel free to contact me if you have further questions. Thank you.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

PROVIDENT LIVING FHE

FHE: Provident Living

Thought: When we live providently, we can provide for ourselves and our families and also follow the Savior's example to serve and bless others. (Robert D. Hales, "Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually," Ensign, May 2009, 7-10.)

Song: "When We're Helping We're Happy," Children's Songbook, p. 198

Scripture: Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness. (2 Nephi 9:51)

Lesson: In one hand have a sack labeled "lots of money"; in the other hand have a spoon. Show your family what you have in your hands and ask them which they would rather have and why. Replace the spoon with a picture of your family and ask the same question. Hold up the money and ask, "Is it wrong to seek for riches?:" Turn to and read Jacob 2:18-19. Ask:
What should we seek before we seek for riches? (Verse 18.)
Why is the kingdom of God more valuable than earthly wealth?
If the Lord blesses us with riches, what should we do with them? (Verse 19.)
What other kinds of riches can the Lord bless us with?

Share your testimony of the greater joy that comes from the Lord's eternal blessings compared to temporary, earthly blessings.(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The Doctrine and Covenants, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2004], p. 78.)

Story:"I Guess You'll Have to Walk," By Bishop John H. Vandenberg
My wife and I were married during the time of the depression. I had purchased a new car, and it was all paid for. I was employed; my salary was $125 per month. I remember bringing home my first check. My wife said, "It isn't very much, is it?" I replied, "No, but it will do." She said, "Yes, if we budget it." So we sat down and budgeted: $12.50 for tithing; $1.00 for fast offerings; $45 for rent; $40 for food, and additional amounts for utilities and clothing; and $10 in the savings account, for we presumed and anticipated that a child would come eventually. When we added it all up, the $125 was all allocated. I said to my wife, "It's all gone, and there isn't any left to buy gasoline for my car. What am I going to do?" She replied, "Sorry. I guess you'll have to walk." So I walked back and forth to work. And the car stayed right in the garage for several months until I got a raise and could spare a little to buy gasoline. We've always managed to get along on my income, and I don't think we have ever had an unhappy moment over it, but rather, much satisfaction in coping with the situation. It isn't so much what you earn, but how you manage. (Leon R. Hartshorn, Outstanding Stories by General Authorities, vol. 2, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1971].)

Activity:Preparation: Collect several different items which family members could "buy" (for example cookies, small toy, magazine, etc.). Put them in a box or sack so they can't be seen until auction time. Obtain play money from a game or make some "family money."
Activity: Distribute the money evenly among the members of the family. Take one of the items out of the sack, hold it up, and tell the family you are going to sell it to the highest bidder. Ask someone to begin bidding for the item. The highest bidder pays with family money and receives the item.
Continue to auction the items until all have spent their money or all the items are gone.
Ask family members who they think go the most for their money and who got the most valuable item. Then ask the family members what they think are some of the most valuable things we can gain in this life and why they are valuable. Discuss what makes something valuable. Point out that the things that are of the most value are the things that last forever.(Allan K. Burgess and Max H. Molgard, Fun For Family Night: Church History Edition, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1992], p. 193.)

Refreshment:
Saltwater Taffy
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
I cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
Grease a 9 × 9 x 2-inch baking pan. In a 1 1/2-quart saucepan, mix sugar and cornstarch. Stir in corn syrup, water, and salt. Add butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and sugar is completely dissolved. Continue cooking, without stirring, until temperature reaches 260 degrees on a candy thermometer, or until a small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water forms a ball that is hard enough to hold its shape, yet pliant. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla. Pour into prepared pan. Let stand until cool enough to handle. Butter fingers and pull taffy until it has satin-like finish and light color. Pull into long strips, 1/2-inch wide. With scissors, cut into 1-inch pieces. Wrap individual candies in wax paper. Makes 1 pound.

Friday, July 17, 2009

What's it like at the cannery?

Fear of the unknown sometimes deters us from trying new things...like going to the cannery. Yesterday I photographed each step of the cannery. Take a peek.

Driving to the cannery is not hard or time consuming. Take the freeway west to Dobson. Turn onto Dobson and head toward Broadway. Go West on Broadway to El Dorado. Turn North on El Dorado. This took me 16 minutes.

You will run straight into the cannery (don't really run into it!) Go into the Parking lot and turn right. Go around back and park your car.
This is where you walk in. Go through the double doors on the right.
Go up to the front desk. (That's sweet Sister Carter in the pink shirt!)
Sign in with your name, ward and stake. Wash you hands and go through the tan colored door.
You can put your purse, keys, cell phone etc. in the cabinet.

Put on your hairnet and gloves.
This is what it looks like in the cannery. Someone will be there to instruct you on safety, then we have a prayer.
This is the board that tells us how many of each item to can and how many bags of product it takes to can them.
Product comes in bags or boxes. Bags you cut open and fill the hopper, then scoop into the cans. Boxes you scoop right into the cans.
Next an oxygen packet is put in, a lid put on then it's given to the machine operator to seal the can. And finally a label is put on and it is set on a cart.After the canning, you help clean up then go out to the pallets and pick up your order.
Then you stand in line to pay. Don't fill out your check in advance, as sometimes the product isn't there or the prices have changed.
Then you take your order home. It's that simple. It usually only takes about an hour. So with drive time I'm usually there for two hours at the most. So come to the cannery! It's the 3rd Friday of each month at 1pm.

August Cannery Items

Black Beans $5.30
White Rice $4.10
White Sugar $4.95
Quick Oats $2.55
Potato Flakes $3.55
Fruit Drink $6.45