Easter Week Activities...Keeping Christ in Easter!

Easter Week

Palm Sunday...Triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.

"It is fitting that during the week from Palm Sunday to Easter morning we turn our thoughts to Jesus Christ, the source of light, life and love.  The multitudes in Jerusalem may have seen Him as a great king who would give them freedom from political oppression.  But in reality He gave much more than that.  He gave us His gospel, a pearl beyond price, the grand key of knowledge that, once understood and applied, unlocks a life of happiness, peace and fulfillment."  President Dieter F. Uctdorf.

Palm Sunday marks the triumphal entry into Jerusalem by Jesus Christ.  As He entered the city He was welcomed with praise and with people holding palm branches, hence the name "Palm Sunday." In John 12: 12-13 it is recorded: "On the next day much people that were come to the fest, when they heard Jesus was come to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord."

Easter Week

Since November, I have been reading "Jesus the Christ" by James E. Talmage.  When I was a Beehive, my bishop told me it was one of the most important books for me to read and every time he spoke with me he would ask if I had read it yet.  Looking back, I am surprised he thought I was smart enough to understand it.  Now that I am an adult, it's still a more difficult book than I am used to, so it has taken me a while. I only read one chapter at a time so I can think about what I have learned. My timing has been such that as Easter approaches I am in the chapters that chronicle the last week of the Savior's life.  Reading them is like walking with Him on his final journey as His earthly mission comes to a close.  I feel like I am getting to know and understand Him better.

                                                   

Starting a new Easter tradition...

There is a growing trend within the church of families observing Holy Week, following Christ's footsteps into Jerusalem, to the temple, to the upper rooms of the Last Supper and into the Garden of Gethsemane. Beginning with Palm Sunday, some parents have created activities for their children that help them celebrate a more Christ-centered Easter.  

I came across an LDS blog with a lot of ideas for parents. The blog post is called:  Holy Week: A Christ Centered Easter Tradition for LDS Families.  It looks like it could be a fun way to bring the focus back to the Savior.  There are lots of suggestions for activities, songs and even a Passover meal. The blogger also suggested the following book:

God So Loved the World

Happy Easter 1960

This is how I remember Easter Sunday when I was very young.

I wanted a purse, gloves and hat to wear to Sunday School.

Chicks are a symbol of Easter.

Easter symbols are so commonplace that we often don't even think about what they mean. Candy eggs, bunnies and baskets in bright colors are everywhere.  I miss the soft colors of my childhood Easters.  I loved chocolate eggs with icing squiggles and those beautifully decorated sugar eggs with scenes of bunnies or chicks inside.  But I was terrified by the idea of a giant rabbit coming into my house!  Our children may wonder what bunnies and eggs have to do with Easter and the Savior's resurrection.  We can teach them what the symbols stand for.  I found a Primary related blog that defined some of the most common symbols.

Easter Symbols

• Baby Chicks - New Life
• Bunny - New Life
• Candle - Jesus, "The Light of the World"
• Cross - Jesus' Victory Over Death
• Egg - Spring
• Egg - Jesus' tomb
• Flowers, Daffodils and Tulips - Spring and New Life
• Easter Hats and New Clothes - New Life or Rebirth
• Lamb - Jesus, "Lamb of God"
• Hatching - New Life or Rebirth
• Lilies - Purity of Jesus or New life.
• Palm Leaves - Jesus Arrival in Jerusalem
• Pretzels - Arms Folded in Prayer (German?)

Butterflies symbolize three stages of Christ's life.

Caterpillar...His life on Earth

Cocoon...Crucifixion and Burial

Butterfly...His Resurrection.

Have a Blessed Easter Sunday!

Jack Valentine...A Quaint Old Tradition!

Punch-out Valentines were my favorite!

I loved Valentine's Day as a child.  In school we would spend a day decorating old shoe boxes with construction paper hearts and stickers.  We struggled cutting out hearts with those blunt scissors and usually got more paste in our hair than on our boxes.  There were usually a few kids who enjoyed the sweet minty taste of the school paste...myself included!  In my mind my finished box was a work of art...but probably looked something like this...

I liked to wander around the room admiring...critiquing...all the other boxes.  I imagined that there would be a special card left in my box by a secret admirer.

Typical Grade School Party.

The 60's were my era.

The party above was probably a lot more fun than the ones I remember.  The last hour of school was set aside for us to line up and "deliver the mail."  We all seemed to get an equal amount of cards and teacher made sure no one was left out.  I worried about that...there were usually a few quiet and shy children in the class.  I wasn't quiet, but I was a bit shy.  We usually got a heart-shaped cookie that someone's mom had made, then we gathered up our boxes and went home.  It was fun to sit on the floor and open the cards.  Some had a few conversation hearts sealed inside the envelope, but I don't remember a lot of candy in the stores, except for the heart-shaped boxes of chocolates.  I read each card with Mickey Mouse, Fred Flintstone and others seeking a secret message from my admirer, but "I Choo-Choo-Choose You" wasn't exactly a confession of undying love!

Jack Valentine...

Who is Jack?  

Until this morning I had never heard of a character called "Jack Valentine."  I was online looking for Valentine's trivia as a possible blog topic, when I came across several mentions of Jack. Jack is a folk character from Norfolk in eastern England.  He is sometimes known as Old Father Valentine. In Victorian times in Norfolk, Valentine's Eve was almost as important to children (and hopeful lovers) as Christmas with anonymous gifts from secret admirers or parents.

Dressed in a top hat and tails, Jack Valentine would knock upon the door and leave presents for the expectant child.  Sometimes Jack would play tricks upon the children and tie string to the gift, so when the child reached for it, he would jerk it away.  After the children were thoroughly frustrated, Jack would let go of the string and let them have the gift.  But they must never look for him.  Some children found the idea of Jack a bit frightening.

This story of Jack brought back a few Valentine's memories from my own childhood.  As much as I enjoyed the school party...it was the evening that I liked most.  When I got home from school, my mom would be putting sugar cookies on paper plates for our friends. In my old neighborhood in American Fork, it was popular to leave cards or cookies on a neighbor's porch, ring the doorbell and run.  This was also when we gave cards to children that were not in our classes.  Some tricksters would tie a string to a card and jerk it away when you tried to pick it up.  Does this sound familiar?  I had never heard of Jack Valentine...yet it seems his spirit crossed the ocean with the British pioneers who settled my home town.  What do you know?  I learn something new every day!

I hope you have fun memories of Valentine's Day.

Happy Valentine's, Sisters!

P.S.  The February "Eating an Elephant" Goals link is on the right side of the page.

Welcome to a New Year!

Happy New Year, Sisters!

This will just be a short post...or it won't get done...lol!  I have so many New Years goals and projects that it's killing me to leave them to work on blog posts.  I have just a couple of things to share.  The following list, "Build Your Food Storage With Only $5 a Week," has been floating about Provident Living Land for a few years now.  Many things may cost more than the promised $5, but it's a way to get started.  I am picking up my 6 lbs. of salt tomorrow.  I have most of these things already, but I figure, what the hey?  It never hurts to have more than enough. For the January "Eating an Elephant" goal, check the right hand side of the post.  It will be there under "Featured Post."

A New Tip to Try...

Best Garment Whitener!

I found this on Facebook and though I haven't tried it yet, you may want to give it a go.  I cannot guarantee anything.

Combine 48 oz. powder Cascade with 3 lb. Oxi Clean White Revive.  Mix all together and store in a container.

To Wash:

Fill a kitchen sink or plastic storage container with hot, hot water and add 1 cup of Cascade/Oxi mic, 1 capful Persil Pro White Technology Power Pearls and 1 cup white vinegar.  Let garments or any white items soak overnight or several hours.  May want to give them a few stirs.

Next:

Drain and finish them with a rinse cycle in your washer, then dry.  Seriously supposed to make them whiter than anything the person who posted this has tried.  We'll see...lol!

Happy January!!

Eating an Elephant...December Bite!

December Bite...

Tastes like Christmas Cookies!

This is the last installment of "Eating an Elephant" preparedness goals.  Sorry they are so late...December kind of gets away from me.  In January I hope to come up with a new theme for the year.  The monthly goals will still be available in the post archive...but even better...Blogger has added a new feature, "Featured Post" that will appear on the top of the right side. You will be able to find each month's "Bite" there.  Just a click away!  As an example, you will find a post from last Christmas about Santa Claus and what the Prophets have said about him.

December Goals...

"No man is truly free who is in financial bondage.  'Think what you do when you run in debt,' said Benjamin Franklin. 'You give another power over your liberty.'"

--Ezra Taft Benson

Spiritual Goal:

Decide as a family how you can better remember and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

Provident Living Goal:

Review you insurance coverage; life, household, vehicle.  Do you have enough?  Could you replace your vehicle or household goods with the coverage you have?

Storage Goal:

• 40 lbs. dried beans per person.
• Matches.
• Candles.
• Batteries.

72 Hour Kit:

• Garbage bags,
• Candles.
• Matches.
• Can Opener.

December Visiting Teaching Message...

I liked this cute handout from Polka Dot Creations on Pinterest!

I hope we all remembered our Sisters this month!

Merry Christmas, Sisters!

Thankful November Bite...Eating an Elephant!

Thanksgiving Bite!

I am still chuckling over this month's elephant!  On a whim I went to Pinterest and typed in "Thanksgiving elephant" without much hope of finding such a thing.  Well, what do you know...look what popped up!!  I admit I snorted a bit of Diet Coke through my nose...good thing I don't have a trunk...lol!

November...A Month for Gratitude

As Thanksgiving Day approaches, I just want to take the opportunity to thank each and every one of you that read and support this blog.  Blogs are funny things...a cross between an online newsletter, a magazine article and a personal journal.  It can be many things depending on who writes it and who their audience is.  This year I have focused mainly on preparedness.  I hope the monthly "Bites" have been helpful...especially if you and your family are just getting started.  Some of the suggested storage goals may have been a little too much for the monthly budget to handle.  I understand.  The purpose is to make suggestions for the month and we each do as much as we can.  Every little bite helps...right?  So if the goal is 100 lbs. of wheat per person, even if you just get 100 lbs. total (or just 1 bucket) you are that much closer to completing your storage goals.  

November Goals...

President Brigham Young

"The time will come that gold will hold not comparison in value to a bushel of wheat."

--Pres. Brigham Young

Spiritual Goal:

Have personal prayers and scripture study every day.

Provident Living Goal:

Make a goal of reducing your family garbage by recycling more.

Storage Goal:

• 100 pounds of wheat per person.
• 1 #10 can juice mix with vitamin C per person.
• Hand/shower soap.
• Light bulbs.
• At least one month prescription ahead for all doctor prescribed medication.

72 Hour Kit:

• Soap.
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste.
• Infant needs.
• Feminine needs.
• Disinfectant.
• Aluminum foil.

Grateful for the Harvest.

"Y Prepare?"  Stake Preparedness Blog

If you are not already following the Stake Preparedness Blog, you can easily receive updates in your email by visiting www.yprepare.com and filling in your email in the subscribe box.  It's right there at the top of the article.  The following links are for the last four posts...in case you missed them.

Highland Central Stake FRS/GRMS Frequencies and Radio Instruction Video

http://www.yprepare.com/highland-central-stake-frsgrms-frequencies-and-radio-instruction-video.html

Practical Hazmat Protection--Accident Mitigation

http://www.yprepare.com/practical-hazmat-protection-accident-mitigation.html

Emergency Cleaning Bucket

http://www.yprepare.com/emergency-cleaning-bucket.html

Shelf Life of Commercially Canned Foods

http://www.yprepare.com/shelf-life-of-commercially-canned-foods.html

Grateful for the Peaceful Beauty of an Autumn Day.

I have so much to be grateful for this year...

Bless you, Dear Sisters!

October Bite...Fall Fun!

Trunk or Treat!!

October is here at last!

Would you be surprised to hear that October is my favorite month of the year?  Naw...me neither!  October is not just Halloween; it's sunny days with a chilly bite in the air.  The month brings with it football games, raking leaves and General Conference Weekend.  I love taking drives up into the mountains, even though the turning leaves are past their prime and have moved down into the valley.

October makes me crave chili and sloppy joes...and doughnuts...the menu from childhood Halloween carnivals at Harrington and Alpine Elementary Schools.  I will always associate these foods with October. 

A week or so ago, I went to the Dutch Oven Cooking Workshop.  It was held on a rainy night at the church picnic pavilion.  It felt a bit like roughing it.  The pavilion was wrapped in tarps to keep the wind and rain at bay.  Bundled in coats and jackets, folks were busily helping put the meals and desserts together in the big iron pots.  It was kind of fun and we learned a lot. Larry Walker is an amusing and informative teacher. The situation reminded me of pioneers on the trail working together to set up camp and prepare a communal meal.  I wondered what it would be like to crawl into a cold tent or wagon box afterward and try to get warm enough to fall asleep.  I liked the spirit of cooperation and fellowship.  If hard times come, I know that my neighbors will work together to help each other get through it.

October Goals...

"When people are able but unwilling to take care of themselves, we are responsible to employ the dictum of the Lord that the idler shall not eat the bread of the laborer."

--Elder Boyd K. Packer

Spiritual Goal:

Watch one more session of General Conference than you normally would.

Provident Living Goal:

Make a goal to read 30 minutes/day to your children or grandchildren.  If you have no children to read to, make a goal to read at least 30 minutes/day just for pleasure.

Storage Goal:

• 50 cans of soup, stew, or chili per person.
• 10 pounds of cheese per person.
• Shaving supplies.
• Dish soap.

72 Hour Kit:

• 4 granola bars per person.
• 2 sticks beef jerky per person.
• 1 package chewing gum per person.
• Hard candies or lollipops...at least 12 per person.  
• Check batteries for lights and radio...replace if needed.
• Conference weekend is good time to update your kit and rotate food items.

Fall Fun...Hobo Party!

The Official Hobo Uniform...

Driving in the canyon with the windows open one sunny afternoon in the fall, I caught the scent of wood smoke and leaves that had been crushed underfoot.  I was transported in memory to my teenage years and an MIA activity one autumn in the canyon.  It was a hobo party at Granite Flats.  We dressed in our raggedy jeans and old flannel shirts.  The leaders had set up camp with a crackling bonfire.  Dutch oven pots of chili bubbled enticingly.  We ate out of tin cans and old pie tins...nothing ever tasted so good!  I don't remember what games we played or anything else... other than the cute boy I sat next to on the way home.  What I do remember was how content I was to be in the mountains and how the wood smoke brought tears to my eyes...happy tears.  I'm sure I am looking back through rosy lenses, but an October day can do that to me.

Hobo Bindles.

A bindle is the stereotypical pack carried by a hobo.

A hobo with a bindle was often called a "Bindlestiff."

I love Wikipedia...lol!

Wouldn't it be fun to have a Hobo Party in the canyon with your children or grandchildren this fall?

Just pack up the dutch oven and dress in your finest raggedy clothing.  Eat chili or hobo stew out of pie tins and make s'mores.  Each child could have their own bindle.  Wrap up individual packets of marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers in a banana and let the child use the stick for roasting his marshmallows.  What better way to spend a sunny October weekend?

Made from real hobos?

Happy October, Sisters

Workshop...Dutch Oven Cooking!

Dutch Oven Cooking!

What better way to enjoy autumn...or be better prepared?

Workshop and Demonstration

• Wednesday evening  September 16, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Highland Central Stake Center Picnic Pavilion (if weather permits...if not, will be held indoors.)
• Taught by Larry and Jeanie Walker...authors of several books on Dutch Oven Cooking and long time Highland residents.
• Helpful instruction, live cooking demonstration, recipes and yummy samples.
• Adults 12 and over please.

Every month members of the Stake Preparedness Committee get together to plan and discuss ways to help our ward members be more prepared in all aspects of their lives.  This workshop is open to all members of the stake and whoever else might be interested.  The Walkers have been doing this for many years and are expert Dutch oven specialists.  They were at the Preparedness Expo this past weekend.

One of the books they have published.

Preparedness Blog and Calendar

The Highland Central Stake has an official preparedness blog  Y Prepare?  Mike Parry is the administrator.  He and his contributors have prepared links to resources to help us with our preparedness goals.  It's very important that each of us visit this blog and sign up on the right-hand side for email updates.  That way any time the blog is updated, you will know and be able to access the new information.

Across the top of the blog are links to subjects like food storage, 72 hour kits, gardening, health, etc.  One of the links is Events Calendar.  The calendar will list classes, workshops and other upcoming events pertaining to preparedness.  If you haven't been to the blog, please take a minute to look at it.  I know you will be glad to be able to access the resources they have put together for us.

Miscellaneous...

• Case Lot Sales are going on right now.  Macy's ends this Saturday.  Smith's ends tomorrow.  I love these sales.  They're perfect for filling up my rotating can organizer in the pantry.  The lower price per can makes it easy to store the suggested 90 days of "food my family will eat."

• Today I began to update and rotate the food in my 72 hour kit back packs.  I am at a bit of a dilemma.  My 72 hour "bug out" kit is getting unwieldy.  It may take several trips to load the stuff into the car.  So I decided to change the contents of the back packs so that we can just grab them if there is little to no time to dally.  If time allows, then we can go back for the duffle of tools and emergency stuff, the sleeping bags and the backpack of freeze dried entrees.

• It's very important to rotate the food every 6 months...at General Conference time is a good rule of thumb.  I hadn't done it for over a year and the saltines and little cartons of Goldfish crackers were positively rancid.  I store a package of saltines inside a Pringle's can.  I don't know if I'll ever get the weird smell out of the can...lol!

This was just a quick post to let you know about the Dutch Oven class.  I hope you can make it!