Activity Days

Today the activity days girls came to my house to play in the leaves and do some service for me! It was a lot of fun! First they raked the leaves into a huge pile and each girl got to do their very best jump and get judged on it. Then they looked for small toys and candy that were hidden in the leaves. Next was a contest to see how fast each team could fill a bag with leaves. After that, they all worked hard, filling several bags each, before eating their treats. I was so grateful for the work they did! They filled around 20 bags, which would have taken me many hours! They had fun, and made a big dent in the amount of raking that I need to do!

Relief Society Blog

I got permission to go ahead with a blog for our Relief Society. For anyone who is interested, the site is www.blodgettladies.blogspot.com. If you would like to link it to your personal blog, please let me know. I have to have your permission before posting your blog. If you have any information you would like to have posted, let me know through my e-mail, and I will get it on there. It has to be pertinent to all the ladies in the ward, and I have to get permission from the people "higher up" than me. I'm excited about this, so please let me know any ideas or suggestions! My e-mail is tara@computx.net. Thanks!!!!

Photo Tag

OK, Miss Melodee... Here is my 4th photo from my 4th folder in my pictures.  It just happened to be a picture of me!  I think I was 9 years old, and I am modeling the very stylish dress that my mom made for me for Christmas.  I was a little jealous because my sister got a dress too, (in the same pattern) but hers was a shiny fabric, and mine wasn't!!    I have tons of unorganized photos!  One of my many winter projects is to put all the pictures in files according to date.  It will be a very big project!!! 

All the rest of you bloggers, I'd love to see your 4th photo in your 4th file!!!

Stuff

Today I have been doing "stuff". For the first day this week, I haven't had a headache, and I feel like getting everything done that I have been putting off. My kids are home because of Fall Break, so I have been sticking close to home. Here are a few things that I've gotten done (finally!);

• sweep and vacuum the floors
• several loads of laundry
• cleaned out my "in box"
• paid some bills
• sorted some church papers
• mowed the lawn (hopefully for the last time this year)
• cleaned out the dead flowers from my planters and beds
• made chocolate chip cookies
• went to the hardware store for light bulbs, and replaced a few burnt out ones
• moved all our bikes onto the patio for the winter
• took out trash
• finished reading Brisingr
• cleaned off my bulletin board
• re-potted a plant
• ironed all my wrinkly shirts
• dusted Tony's computer desk

I still have a few hours to do more... I can't wait to see what other "stuff" I can get done!

Good Idea!

My lovely friend, Tara S. had a great idea! She suggested that we post the Relief Society activities on a blog, so those in Primary and YW could be more aware of what is going on. I think I'll do it!! For now, I will post this month's stuff right here, then I will work on setting up a blog/RS site! So, for all you Blodgett Canyon ladies (and friends), here it is.....

Oct. 14, 6:00pm - Canning soup mix at the church (potatoes, onions, carrots, celery) All you need to bring is yourself!

Oct. 16, 10:00am - Book Club at Marcia Tolman's house. This month's book is "The Gurnsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society"

Oct. 21, 6:00pm - Canning apple pie filling at the church.

Oct. 25, 10am-2pm - Super Saturday - We will be making Advent Calendars, Fleece Blankets, Biscotti, and a Candy Demonstration. Please bring your own lunch! Also bring your rotary cutters and cutting boards if you have them.

Oct. 26, 6:00pm - Canning meat at the church.

Hope to see you all there!!!!

Apples and Such

I've been busy painting this week, so nothing else is getting done.  In a few weeks I am going to help with a little class where we are teaching some ladies how to can apple pie filling.  Here is my mom's recipe.  I just printed it up, so I thought I might as well post it for the rest of you who are trying to preserve apples.  For anyone who wants to come to the class, it will be on the 21'st, at 6:30pm, at the LDS church.  Enjoy!

Canned Apple Pie Filling   - Karren McLean

1. Fill 7 quart jars with peeled, sliced apples. (To prevent browning, I place apples in a large bowl with cold water and lemon juice, as I peel.)
2. In a large kettle, bring 9 cups of water and 3-1/2 cups sugar to a boil
3. In a large bowl, mix together the following:
• 1 c. sugar
• 1 c. cornstarch
• ½ tsp. nutmeg
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp. cloves
• 1 tsp. almond extract
• 1 c. cold water
• 1 tsp. salt
• 3 Tbsp. lemon juice

4. Stir sugar mixture(#3) into hot liquid(#2).
5. Cook until it turns clear.
6. Pour hot liquid over the apples in the jars.  Leave about ½ in. at the top.
7. Wipe jar rims clean.
8. Place lids and rings on jars.
9. Place jars in a boiling water bath.
10. Process for 25 minutes. 

 One jar of pie filling can be poured into an UNBAKED pie shell.  Then I either put another crust on top, or use a crumb topping.  Bake uncovered at 350* until the crust turns a nice brown color. (about 25 min.)

You can pour one jar of pie filling into a greased, 9in. square pan, and top with your favorite apple crisp topping.  Then bake at 350 for about 15-20 min.

We also like this topping heated in a pan on the stove, and poured over hot pancakes or waffles.  It also makes a yummy ice cream topping. 

Oh My Stars!!

 

I finally got this quilt top finished!! It was all dusty from sitting for so long!  I will call it "Oh My Stars".  I like how it turned out, but I don't know how I will quilt it.  

Jacob's birthday

This is what I was doing 15 years ago!!!  Jacob and I almost didn't make it through his birth... it was not pleasant, but he made up for it!!  Jacob weighed 9lb. 7oz, and he looked like a little papoose.  I was in love! 

Jacob is now a wonderful teenager!  He is so smart and funny.  He has autism, but that is not who HE is.  Jacob teaches me new things all the time and he has a kind and tender soul.  I am so grateful for him and am grateful he is my boy.  Happy Birthday, Big J!!!!