Hot Topic

Are you nervous about the Swine flu?

Daniel Faraday

Does anyone want to talk LOST??

Wednesday Weekly

What is the funniest movie you have ever seen?

Super Saturday

I am in charge of my ward's Super Saturday at the end of July. I have about 4 weeks to finalize our teachers and projects before we need to start advertising. We have several ideas but I was wanting some input from my S&S girls... what have been your favourite Super Saturday activities? What things would you like to see at Super Saturdays that you haven't seen before? We are trying to keep this really low cost so people feel like they can participate without breaking the bank. Any ideas would be GREATLY appreciated!

Food Storage Question: Canning

Have any of you canned your own food? I really want to start canning things such as homemade spaghetti sauce, fruits and veggies, etc. Do you know any good ways to go about learning? What kinds of things do I need to get started? Please point me in the right direction... I'm such a food storage dummy... I'm trying though!!

Show and Tell - Lindsey

I made these for a baby shower I hosted recently:
They were great accents and centerpieces for the buffet and food tables. They could also be used as household décor (I couldn't bear to put away my hard work when the shower was over).Then I got addicted...I actually had a lot of requests for a tutorial, so if you are interested in making some, here is where you can get step by step instructions. They may look daunting but they are pretty easy to construct.

Earth Day Art for April!

Here are some fun ideas for your kiddos for this Earth Day!

Visit the Crafty Crow

or One Pretty Thing

or here

Make an Earth Tambourine

Have fun!

Wednesday Weekly

What one book do you associate being a book that you have to read for school?

Member spotlight

Basics
1. What is your age and physical description?
I am 31, 5'9", overweight and pregnant, have short brown hair, green eyes and smile a lot.

2. Where were you born and where are you now?
I was born in Logan, Utah. My family moved to California when I was 6. I grew up there and then moved back to Logan to go to college at USU. Now I live in Albuquerque, North New Mexico. I've lived here since July 2008. So far it has been great! Minus all the howling coyotes that roam the streets with turqoise bandanas tied around their necks.

3. What do you do for a living?

I used to make money by being an accountant. Now I work for free (and the rare hug or kiss from my toddler) staying home and keeping my family in line.

4. What is your favorite and least favorite color?

Favorite - purple or blue. Least favorite - beauty can be found in all colors!

5. Did you go to college and get a degree, If so, where & what?

I went to Utah State University in Logan, Utah. I got a BS in Finance and then a MAcc (Master of Accounting).

6. How many children do you have? How old are they?

I have one son that turned 2 in March. I am expecting another boy in July.

7. What’s your favorite and least favorite food?

I love sugar and have been trying to break that addiction for awhile. Most fruit is a close second. Actually, anything that I don't have to prepare in any way (including planning, shopping, cooking, cleaning up) tends to rank at the top. Least favorite - seafood.

8. Are you right or left handed?

Right handed.

9. Do you play any instruments?

Only if you count the radio. I did take violin for about 2 years when I was in college.

10. What are your hobbies?

Being outside, gardening, sewing, quilting, organizing, playing with my family.

Make You Think...

11. What did you want to be when you grew up?

I always wanted to be a mom. For awhile, I also wanted to be a marine biologist and an engineer.

12. What is your biggest fear?

I have two that I feel are equally the biggest - 1. losing my husband at this phase of life and 2. having my children grow up into bad, wicked people.

13. Who has touched your life and influenced you the most and why?

Hmm... definitely my parents (hello, they raised me) but definitely my husband. He loves me unconditionally, is the sweetest man and a great example of kindness and patience. He also has helped shape who I am today - we strive to be better together. He is the one that made it possible for me to be a mother (parents can't do that for us...). Motherhood has been a life changing experience!!! I've learned to depend upon the Lord more as well as more about myself because of motherhood.

14. If you could accomplish just one thing with your life, what would that be and why?

I would like to endure to the end faithfully. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to find happiness in this life AND the next... To me enduring to the end means that I try to be better tomorrow than I have been today - and that I live as best I can to be a disciple of Christ.

15. What is your worst habit and if you could quit it, would you?

I have no bad habits. At least none I will admit to. If I did have any, I would try to quit it.

16. Who would play you in the movie of your life? Who would play your husband?

This is a hard question. Worse than interviewing for a job. My husband would probably be played by Hugh Jackman. They look a little similar (okay, stop analyzing the fam pic I posted at the beginning...) and Hugh Jackman is almost as hot as my husband. He's very versatile (he can sing, dance, fight off bad guys with his huge muscles, woo a woman with his charms) Plus I like Wolverine from X-men so Hugh Jackman is a shoe-in. For me... I don't know. Maybe Sandra Bullock because she seems pretty level-headed and practical. Or Reece Witherspoon because she is funny and laid back.

17. What songs would make up the soundtrack of your life and why?

I have a playlist on my blog. It is made up of whatever I like at the time.

18. If you could meet any one person in history, who would it be, and why?

Mary (mother of Jesus). She's got to have some great advice on how to raise young men.

19. If you lost everything you have tomorrow, what three things would you save and why?

I would save my family, my computer, and any cash I had laying/hidden around the house. My family is what really matters. Most of my important documents and pics are saved on my hard drive - so saving the computer would make life a little easier to rebuild. Cash - I'm gonna need something to help me fix dinner that night!!! Wendy's, anyone?

20. What is your favorite quote and why?

I don't really have one.

Just For Fun

21. Do you sleep with the closet door open or closed?

Usually closed.

22. What is your biggest pet peeve?

People not raising their kids with respect and self-control.

23. Where are the top three places you'd like to travel to?

I'd like to go to the UK (although I've already been to London), South Africa, and all the places along the Mediterrean.

24. Do you ever dance for no reason even though there’s no music playing?

Not really. I like music.

25. What size is your bed?

Queen.

26. What do you drink with dinner?

Water. Sometimes any flavor of crystal lite.

27. What movies could you watch over and over and still love?

Miracle (I TOTALLY LOVE THIS), the new Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Cars, The Incredibles.

28. What was the first concert you went to?

The BFD (Big Freakin' Deal) hosted by Live 105. It was an all day concert that had 30+ bands on a few different stages. Some of the bigger bands were the Violent Femmes, Duran Duran, Elvis Costello. I wish I could find my old t-shirt and I could tell you them all. It was back in 1995!!!

29. What is on your perfect pizza?

Depends on my mood. I love greasy pepperoni and cheese. I also love ham/pineapple. I also love chicken, brocolli, alfredo (or BBQ) and feta cheese.

30. What's the most exotic place you've traveled to?

Venice, Italy. No, probably the small villages of Cinque Terre along the Italian Riveria.

Spotlight Member: April 20th-26th

Busy day of Jury Duty today so I'm a little late posting this, but our spotlight member for this week will be

Amanda!! (Formerly known as Cramster)

We're excited to get to know you better Amanda! Click here to find the survey questions. Copy, paste into a new post, fill in your answers and if possible, include a picture of yourself and/or family.

Show and Tell-Liz&Meg

It's all Cramster's fault, really. It all started with a bag.  She sent me a pattern, I made it, and I fell in love.  And then I got good at the pattern, modified it and made it my own.  And started making bags for myself and friends and family.

I always liked sewing but mostly it was piecing quilt tops.  Not even quilting them, but just sewing the tops together.  I never thought I could do cute things like this.

So I kept making bags.

And then I realized that a cute twirly girl's skirt is really just a quilt top, gathered and put on a waistband.  It didn't have to be complicated.  

And that was when I fell in love with making skirts and jumpers and dresses for my girls.  Life got crazy so they still haven't gotten their Easter dresses yet... now they get summer dresses! :)

But this is my current passion.  And someday, I will return to scrapbooking, card making, stamping, crochet, and all those other crafty, artsy things I used to do!

Hot Topic #5

What were your first thoughts when you saw this clip?

Be honest.

What to do..what to do??? DO THIS...

Dear Loyal Friends (tee hee) - I am inviting you to participate in a little fun, good times, online, but also in real life, easy-yet-creative-as-you-wish-experiment via My Facebook page.

Does that just say it all, or what? What...Ok, here are the deets - 

1. Choose an inspirational phrase from the recent General Conference. (I chose "The future is as bright as your faith."  You can use that one too or any other quote you like.)

2. Bring your quote to life in some way. (I am sewing a quilted wall-hanging, but you will probably do something way better and cooler like creating an awesome chalk drawing in a public place somewhere incorporating the words from the prophets...or create a video...or simply take a cool picture, or stamp a card...or create bumper stickers...or draw on the windows of your friend's car...or convince your Seminary class to spell the words out using their bodies for letters...or write the words on the check you sign at a restaurant...you get the idea...Just do what you DO.) 

3. Take a picture of what you have made/displayed and include details and a link to the Gen Conf talk online in the caption. A brief personal testimony scores extra "points"! :)

4. Either tag me in the picture or POST the picture to my profile so that my FRIENDS all have access to YOUR AWESOMENESS.

5. The TOP THREE entries will receive a totally desirable prize and a sense of satisfaction...and bragging rights, if you're into that kind of thing. :) Perhaps there will be more prizes depending on the participation.

THE EXPERIMENT ends in two weeks. I will judge the results and choose the winners in a completely unscientific, yet pretty unbiased way and announce the top picks on FRIDAY, MAY 1ST.

Thanks in advance for playing...and I hope you have a total blast with this!! 

Your Friend on Facebook...and in REAL LIFE! - Jocelyn

You are welcome to invite your other LDS friends to participate in this!

Kids' Internet sites

What are your favorite sites for kids' art and craft ideas?

Wednesday Weekly

What is your favorite breed of dog?

Show and Tell

Here's my show and tell, but it's actually my husband's creation that I helped out with just a little bit. I can take credit for about 5% of the finished product. (Sorry, I know many of your have already seen this.)

If you go to the Disney Behr Paint display at Home Depot, you will see pamphlets for various Disney rooms. We took two of these and wanted to try parts of them in our girls' rooms. We could print out stencils on-line, but they were the size of an 8 1/2 by 11 piece of paper, and we wanted it to be HUGE.

So my husband started by taking a large poster board, and with a pencil, ruler, and a lot of patient hours, created a stencil of a castle by looking at the one he printed out on-line. Then he cut it with a box cutter so that the edges would be really crisp, taped it on the wall, traced it, and painted. He has never done anything like this before and so we were pretty darn excited about it. He worked slowly, and it paid off. We love it!





Then we did a fairy garden room inspired by Tinkerbell. Some of the plants required a few poster boards taped together to make stencils. With both, we adjusted the colors to what we wanted, but still used the Disney brand.





This was the coolest art porject our family created in the past twelve months. I don't really make anything homemade, so this was the best thing I could share. I hope you will share the coolest things YOU created in the last year very soon!

Getting to know Natalie

Basics

1. What is your age and physical description?

I am 26 and very beautiful. Just kidding-I am not skinny anymore, someday I hope to find that figure again. I’m 5’4’’ and have blue eyes and light brown hair.

2. Where were you born and where are you now?

I was born in Bountiful, UT. I currently live in Logan, UT.

3. What do you do for a living?

I work part-time from home on my computer. I am hoping to quit here sometime soon, but just haven’t taken the plunge and done it yet. I also do nails and pedicures and just joined Stampin Up! as a demonstrator. I like to be busy, can you tell?

4. What is your favorite and least favorite color?

Favorite color, purple or turquoise. Least fav, black or yellow.

5. Did you go to college and get a degree, If so, where & what?
I went to Weber State for one year and then transferred to Utah State. I graduated in 2004 in Social Work.
6. How many children do you have? How old are they?

I have one boy—Caden. He is 2.5

7. What’s your favorite and least favorite food?

Favorite food: Anything with Bread and Cheese. I love sandwiches.

Least Favorite: not a huge fan of authentic stuff-no thanks to Indian Cusine or Sushi

8. Are you right or left handed?

Right

9. Do you play any instruments?

I dabble with the piano. I played the Clarinet in Jr. High, but have no idea where it is.

10. What are your hobbies?

I love being with my family. I enjoy a clean house, a finished workout and any accomplishment I have set out and finished. I like to read, cook, sew and scrapbook. I also love to make new friends.

Make You Think...

11. What did you want to be when you grew up?

I don’t really know. I always played house and school.

12. What is your biggest fear?
A person dying that is close to me. I am also afraid of getting a long term illness.

13. Who has touched your life and influenced you the most and why?

My mom. She is amazing. She has been through a lot of heartache in her life and has really made the best of really tough circumstances. She got divorced when I was 13 and knew that she needed to make more money as a teacher. She went back to school and got her Master’s degree, so she could support us kids better. She supported 2 kids in the mission field at the same time and managed to keep it all together for us kids at home. She is a wonderful person, example and friend. I only hope to someday be like her.

14. If you could accomplish just one thing with your life, what would that be and why?

I would like to be a good mother. I would like to add to our family and try hard to raise my kids with the gospel and love.

15. What is your worst habit and if you could quit it, would you?

Biting my nails. Seriously—I went to beauty school!! I know it’s bad-why do I still do it?

16. Who would play you in the movie of your life? Who would play your husband?

Hmm. Interesting question. I’ll have to think more about this one.

17. What songs would make up the soundtrack of your life and why?

Let’s get this party started…don’t know the artist. Life is fun, right?!

18. If you could meet any one person in history, who would it be, and why?

I’d like to meet Marjorie Hinckley. She was such a fun, spunky lady who loved being a mother. I’d like to meet her and talk to her about the joys of motherhood and what she did to enjoy this motherhood journey that we are all on.

19. If you lost everything you have tomorrow, what three things would you save and why? I’d save my husband, my little Caden and my scrapbooks. I'd try to grab my I-pod too.

20. What is your favorite quote and why?

"I believe in God as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." --C.S. Lewis

I like it because—everything in life is because of God. I believe that He is a part of everything we do in our lives and he cares about us deeply.

Just For Fun

21. Do you sleep with the closet door open or closed?

Doesn’t matter.

22. What is your biggest pet peeve?

People who aren’t themselves.

23. Where are the top three places you'd like to travel to?

1) Austrailia, Portugal, and a cruise to the Caribbean

24. Do you ever dance for no reason even though there’s no music playing?

No. I need music to feel the groove.

25. What size is your bed? Queen

26. What do you drink with dinner? Usually water.

27. What movies could you watch over and over and still love? You’ve got mail, Sleepless in Seattle, Little Women, How to lose a guy in 10 days, The holiday

28. What was the first concert you went to? Dixie Chicks!!! Way too fun!!

29. What is on your perfect pizza? Canadian Bacon and Pinapple. mmmm

30. What's the most exotic place you've traveled to?

Probably Hawaii?

Spotlight Member: April 13th-19th

This week's spotlight member is Natalie!

Natalie, click here, copy & paste the survey into a new post, answer the questions and include a picture of yourself so we can all get to know you better!

Spring Fling Giveaway

Check out my photo blog for an awesome giveaway!

Spotlight: Jen L (Finally!! :)

Basics

1. What is your age and physical description? I am 24, 5'9", medium brown hair, green eyes.

2. Where were you born and where are you now? I was born in Detroit, MI. I currently live in Ithaca, NY

3. What do you do for a living? I am in school until May, and then I'm back to being a full-time Mommy! I also teach piano lessons.

4. What is your favorite and least favorite color? Before I had a girl, I hated pink... however it's now my favorite! Least favorite is crayon purple.

5. Did you go to college and get a degree, If so, where & what? Yes... I've been to a couple... first started at Central Michigan University, then transfered to Lansing Community College (got an associates after 4 years of school :) ). I'm now at Tompkins Cortland Comm. College and I'll have a second associates. The plan was to transfer to SUNY Cortland in fall, but after much thought and prayer, I decided to decline my acceptance. I started as a vocal performance major, then went all over the place until this last time around decided on Childhood Education. That's my real love.

6. How many children do you have? How old are they? Margaret Marian is 2 1/2. Hopefully we'll have more kids soon...

7. What’s your favorite and least favorite food? Humm I love lots of foods!!! I'd have to say my favorite is a fresh peach with blueberry pie! My least favorite is salmon (or other fishy tasting fish)

8. Are you right or left handed? Right

9. Do you play any instruments? I was a voice and trumpet major for a while, and I play piano, violin, flute and.... accordian (I know, a bit random. My grandpa played the accordian and when he died I picked it up)

10. What are your hobbies? I love music! So I guess that is a hobby. Gardening, cooking, sewing, photography and uh, baby making? Ha. We've been trying to have number 2 for over a year, so it's probably called a hobby by now :)

Make You Think...

11. What did you want to be when you grew up? I went through a vet/marine biologist phase. I started High School wanting to be a chemist (I married one instead) and ended HS wanting to be an opera singer.

12. What is your biggest fear? Loosing Michael while we are still "young." I don't know how I'd handle it. Thankfully we've been sealed, but what happens if I want to get married again and have a family? I'd want my kids to be sealed to me... but I can only be sealed to one husband... Oh, the things that run through my mind. It's seriously a big fear for me on a temporal, emotional and spiritual level.

13. Who has touched your life and influenced you the most and why? My parents are wonderful and raised me well, but I think Michael has touched my life and influenced me the most. He is just so good and he is my role model for spiritual living. The Lord knew I needed a lot of help... and I'm so glad I am with Michael!

14. If you could accomplish just one thing with your life, what would that be and why? To raise a righteous family and all that entails (kids sealed in the temple, faithful to the end, etc)

15. What is your worst habit and if you could quit it, would you? Beating myself up.

16. Who would play you in the movie of your life? Who would play your husband? Humm, I think I'd like Julia Roberts to play me... just because. And Colin Firth would play Michael. Not only do I love him as Mr. Darcy, but he has a cleft chin like Michael and the same hair color :)

17. What songs would make up the soundtrack of your life and why? Oh goodness, I like so many songs. I'm a big country/broadway/classical/Mormon Tabernacle Choir fan :) As long as some songs from those categories are included (perhaps with a little Josh Groban, Elton John and Bon Jovi for some fun) I'd be happy.

18. If you could meet any one person in history, who would it be, and why? I don't really have anyone in particular that I'd want to meet. I figure, I can meet them all eventually anyway :) Though perhaps my great-grandma Margaret. She came from Scotland and I hear she was amazing!!!

19. If you lost everything you have tomorrow, what three things would you save and why? Pictures, journals and my scriptures (this is, of course, assuming my family is safe too). Sad thing is, my husband went through a house fire when he was a teenager and did lose everything, so this is something we talk about a lot. The one thing I miss the most are the pictures! There are very few pictures of him from when he was young... only what others have taken.

20. What is your favorite quote and why? Oooh, this is a hard one! I'm a quote freak! I love quotes! But just one of my favorites is from Ezra Taft Benson (I think he said it first): "When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power.” I just really like it! It's something I try to always remember and live by.

Just For Fun

21. Do you sleep with the closet door open or closed? Open. We have a long closet with 4 mirrored sliding doors... unfortunately 2 of the doors are in need of repair, so they are open showing off our closet disaster.

22. What is your biggest pet peeve? When people can't see past their trials and then drag you down in the mud... everytime you are with them. We all have bad days, but some people like to talk about themselves ALL the time and when I leave their presence, I just feel worse. I hate to say it, because I'd definitely listen if someone had need of help, but it's draining day after day.

23. Where are the top three places you'd like to travel to? Jerusalem, Disney World, and western Montana. Sort of an interesting mix, I guess. But Jerusalem just because I think it would be really neat to go there, and very different from what I'm used to here. Disney World, becaues I love DW! And western MT because we are big camping fans. My DH is from MT... but the Eastern side. I've never got to experience Glacier park or any of the beautiful scenary you see on calendars... just the flat east.

24. Do you ever dance for no reason even though there’s no music playing? No, I only dance when there is music, though I often dance for no reason. However, most of the time the music is created by either me or Margaret.

25. What size is your bed? We just inherited a queen! If only we had a queen when I was pregnant.

26. What do you drink with dinner? Water. I love water! Perhaps the occasional sip of juice, but I pretty much only drink water.

27. What movies could you watch over and over and still love? Pride and Prejudice (A&E), Sound of Music, Charly (ha ha), for a while I thought Mary Poppins was one of those movies for me... but after having a daughter in love with "poppits" the thought of watching the movie is not very exciting.

28. What was the first concert you went to? Oh brother... John Tesh. I was in 6th grade and went with my parents. I've only been to two other concerts... Barenaked Ladies and Josh Groban.

29. What is on your perfect pizza? Either ham and pineapple or a "Spinach, alfredo, chicken, tomato" pizza from Poppa John's.

30. What's the most exotic place you've traveled to? Probably the Mayan Ruins at Costa Maya, Mexico. Though my husband may have to travel to Saudi Arabia... I told him that if he goes, I'm going too! What an opportunity (albeit a scary one!)

Just Curious...

Hey Ladies! I've had this on my mind lately. I am wondering how many of you have mis-carried a baby. If so, where were you in your pregnancy? Also, how many have you had?

I am wondering if mis-carriages are more genetic than we think. So if you'd take this poll, I'd love it.

"Show and Tell"

In the next two weeks, please post a picture of the coolest thing you have made in the past twelve months (no pictures of newborn babies, hee hee).

Art in April

Hey everyone!

It's ART IN APRIL month, and the sky's the limit! Please post your favorite kids' craft ideas, show-off a hobby, ask questions, share favorite music/dance games with your kids, etc.

Wednesday Weekly

How long have you had your current cell phone?

Spotlight Member: April 6th- 12th

Our spotlight member for this fabulous Easter week is...

Jen L!

Jen, go here to find the spotlight survey. Copy, paste into a new post and fill it out. If you can, include a recent picture. We're excited to get to know you better!

"I Spy The Prophet" Spyglass

(I just wrote about this on my blog...I thought you might have fun doing this next Conference with your children.)

We had a lovely weekend watching General Conference in our home.  With such young children, we have to think up good ways to keep them interested and reverent for such long periods of time, so that we can all enjoy the words of our church leaders.

On Saturday, we had fun identifying President Monson and each apostle as they spoke in conference.  When a new speaker took the stand, we checked our conference packet print-out and put a sticker by each apostle as we identified them.  This was a good activity for our three and nearly two-year-old.  

Today, I realized that my little boy needed an "I Spy The Prophet" Spyglass to take his conference adventure to the next level.  Using an empty paper towel roll for our "spyglass", we cut pictures of Christ and various prophets and apostles from old issues of the Ensign magazine and taped them all the way around our spyglass.   Then I decoupaged the clippings to make them adhere to the spyglass which also made it much more durable.  

The result was a really fun toy that my little Guy used to spot the Prophet and Apostles during General Conference today.  I wanted to take a sharper close-up picture of the spyglass, but I think it's nestled next to my little explorer upstairs in bed.

General Conference Moments

Don't forget to share your favorite moments, quotes, thoughts, talks as you listen to General Conference this weekend!!

FHE Friday April!

I'm excited for General Conference tomorrow! I didn't get to enjoy it much with mastitis and having just moved and a new baby so I'm excited for this weekend! Sorry, TMI?

"For the next six months your conference edition of the Ensign should stand next to your standard works and be referred to frequently. As my dear friend and brother Harold B. Lee said, we should let these conference addresses 'be the guide to [our] walk and talk during the next six months. These are the important matters the Lord sees fit to reveal tothis people in this day.'"
-Ezra Taft Benson

So here are some ideas for incorporating General Conference into FHE:

- download and watch a talk with your family

- use the conference packets (see Claire's post below) for ideas for word searches, bingo, crossword puzzles, etc. for a challenge or an FHE quiz

- use the primary songs to learn the prophets' names

- focus on the prophet, first presidency with little kids-share short bios and show pictures to help them learn about the prophets

- if your kids are old enough, have them summarize what they learned from listening

What have you done that would be fun, educational, spiritual, etc.??? Do you have any plans??

$5 Dinners

I just found this site... I don't know if any of you are already familiar with it, but it looks pretty interesting. Especially for all the couponers out there! :D I haven't looked too much at it, just the first recipe or two, but so far, I like! :D

http://www.5dollardinners.com/blog

12 Days of Easter Countdown

I am doing a 12 Days of Easter Countdown on my blog starting today...check it out if you'd like to follow along...I'll be including verses of scripture from both the New Testament and The Book of Mormon that tell the story of the week leading up to Christ's Atonement through His resurrection.  Easter is a wonderful time to contemplate Christ's sacrifice for us.

http://beinglds.blogspot.com