Blog Index, page 3

Grateful Living
Home Decor
Picture Groupings
Living Small
Small Room Decorating Tips
Nesting...Book Review: Wabi Sabi Style
Decorating with Vintage Linens
Updated Armoire in Vintage Green
Homemakers: The Homebuilders of the World
Grateful Living: Scaling Down to A Mobile Home
Grateful Living Series: Dress Up M. H. Windows
Grateful Living: Repurposed Trunk
Grateful Living: Repurposed Armoire
Grateful Living: Class Up the Mobile Home Fireplace
Grateful Living: Front Porches
Grateful Living: The !#*! M.H. Walls
Grateful Living: M.H. Spa Retreat
Grateful Living: My Collection on Reflections of Home

Hospitality
Company's Coming: organization, part 1

Christmas Party Games, Christmas Traditions part 4

Cookie Swaps, Ornament Swaps..., Christmas Traditions part 4

Holiday Books and DVDs List, Christmas Traditions part 4
Senior Tea
Luau Party
Relief Society Birthday Party

Mothers and Homemaking
Homemaking Journals
Homemaker's Quotes
Learning Homemaking Skills
Setting Organizational Goals: organization part 2
I Love Erma Bombeck!
Get Off the Dual-Earner Treadmill
10 Things I Learned from My Mom
My Glamorous New Career
What Do Homemakers Really Do?
Builders of Homes
Resurgence of Homemaking
Dian Thomas Rules!
Tips for Toddlers
"En Bonn Ménagère..."
Time Out for Homemakers
The Hand that Rocks the Cradle
Love Affair with Pantries
How to Teach Children Responsible Behavior
Homemakers: The Homebuilders of the World
Cleaning
  Consistently Clean
  Winter Days:  Cleaning Schedules
  Cleaning:  Team-building Time for Families
  Cleaning Clothes
  Cleaning that Prevents Allergies
  Nifty Recycling Bins
  Deep Cleaning Kitchens and Bathrooms
  Eliminating Closet Clutter
  Laundry Rules!
Homeschool

  Mothers as Homeschool Teachers

  Mothers as Homeschool Teachers, cont.

  Chick Lit
  Creative Homeschooling
This is a quick list of all the posts I have done that might be remotely interesting to anyone who teaches (school, homeschool, church...):
Healthy Sack Lunches for Kids
November Traditions
Healthy Choices for Picky Eaters
Christmas Library Story Time
Christmas Crafts
Christmas Legend and Lore
Mothers as (Homeschool) Teachers
Chick Lit
Creative Homeschooling
Art Badge Camp
Teaching Children to Cook
Sample Primary Newsletters (Parent Communication)
Chick Lit for July
Native American Culture Activities for Children
CopyCat Magazine Little House Unit
Achievement Days Country Fair
Achievement Days Book Review: Sarah, Plain and Tall
Children's Pioneer Day Event
Pioneer Chick Lit
Corn Husk Dolls
Activities for Girls
Girl Scout Favorite Things
How to Love Scouts
October Traditions:  Chick Lit, Songs and Activities
Greatest Gifts to Give a Grandchild
Fall Fun
Free Learning Websites
Spiritual
  Where Necessary, Tweak the Ideal
Health -
  Curing Scalp Acne

Measuring Up
In the Eye of the Beholder
The Real McCoy: Authentic People
Measuring Up: Integrity Quotes
Measuring Up: Improvement Quotes
Measuring Up: Time and Preparation
Measuring Up: Testimony Quotes
Measuring Up: Service and Empathy Quotes
Measuring Up: Sabbath Quotes
Joyful Quotes
Homemaker's Quotes

My homemaker's journal includes all things related to homemaking: all of the things special to me, traditions I have instilled, secrets, tips and more...My homemaking experiences include homeschooling my children for ten years, volunteering as a Girl Scout Leader for my girls' troop from Daisies to Juniors and volunteering with Boy Scouts, (when my son was 8-12 yrs.) Recently, I have completed a cookbook for my church.

Blog Index, page 2

Provident Living
Disaster Preparedness
Alabama's Worst Storm Ever
Real Food Storage Resources (not MREs)

Camping
Girl Scouts
  SWAPS
  Girl Scout Favorite Things

  Some Favorite Campy Things, Camping part 2 (3 swaps)
Boy Scouts

  Camping, part 1 (Camp Songs)

  Art Badge Camp
  How to Love Scouts
  Homemade Firestarters

Camp Cookery
  Easy Outdoor Cooking Recipes

  Some Favorite Campy Things, Camping part 2
  Dian Thomas Rules!

Young Women Camp (i.e. Girls' Camp)

  Young Women's Camp
  Young Women Favorite Things

Southern State Parks
  Southern Reflections, Camping part 3

  Monte Sano, Huntsville, AL

Gardening
Freezing Herbs
And the Lord Planted a Garden ... Gen. 2:8
How to Make a Compost Heap
Freezing Blueberries
How to Care for House Plants
Rx for Houseplants
Nesting, It's A Chick Thing Book Review
(especially about taking care of after-gardening hands)

Once-A-Month-Cooking (OAMC)
Freezing a Batch of Soup
Relief Society OAMC Activity
Ham Dinner Slices
Freezer Slice and Bake Cookies
How to Freeze Grated Cheese

Food
Hamburger Gravy Over Rice
Quick Creamed Chicken and Rice
Cooking 101:  Substitutions for Wine and Liquor
No Whine Meal Time
Zesty Tomato Soup
Mellow Meals
Old and New Favorite Recipes
Gobble Good Turkey Casserole!
So Easy Granola
Kid-FRIENDly Meals

The Legacy of Meal Planning

The Legacy of Meal Planning, 2
Honey Wheat Muffins
Pearly Shell Chicken Salad
Weight Watchers Four Ingredient 10 Minute Recipes
Three Day Chili
The Best and Prettiest Slaw
Steve's Perfect Sweet Potato Pie
The Best Banana Bread Recipe
Feels Like Christmas Pecan Mocha Fudge
For Seasoned Cooks
Chicken Pillows (aka Chicken Packets)
Poultry Seasoning Mix
Chicken Divine (Broccoli)
Bean Chimichangas (Baked)
Writing My Own Cookbook
Teaching Children to Cook
Christmas Coffee Cake
Peanut Butterscotch Morsels
Yankee Corn Sticks
Creamy Italian Dressing in a Jiffy!
Tater Tot Casserole
Quick and Easy Bierocks
The Lady's Chicken Nuggets
Buttermilk Blueberry Pancakes
Vancouver's Best Salad and Jiffy Pizza Sticks
George Foreman Grill
Foil Packet Dinners
Perfect, Easy Biscuits
Quick Mix Sausage Balls
Pinterest Recipes I've Tried (and my adaptations)
Vintage 1941 Chocolate Chip Cookies
Vintage Desserts: Brownie Pudding
Favorite Store-Bought Baking Mixes
Homemade Chocolate Covered Cherries
Quick and Easy Piping Bag for Gingerbread Cookies (White Frosting)
How to Make Meatballs the Same Size
Quick Starts to Your Family's Day

Dinner

Foil Packet Meals

BBQ Chicken Legs
Simple Oktoberfest Meal

Other Meals

Paula D's Chicken Nuggets

Breakfast for Dinner

Homemade Blueberry Pancakes

Can Plan

Zesty Tomato Soup
Camp Stew
Shoestring Tuna Salad

Quick Creamed Chicken and Rice

Hamburger Gravy Over Rice

Gobble Good Turkey Casserole

OAMC  (once-a-month-cooking)

Bean Chimichangas (Baked)

Ham Dinner Slices

Related Cooking Posts

Writing My Own Cookbook

Teaching Children to Cook

Blog Book Index

To the past, the present, and the future, I dedicate this book.  To the past because I came out of it, to the present because I live in it, to the future because my children shall inherit it. ~Ruth May Fox

Create
Sewing
Homemaker's Must-Have Apron
Learn Something New This Summer:  Cross-Stitch in 5 Minutes
Easy Hats to Sew Gift (beginners)
Fruit Basket Liners
Kitty Cross-Stitch Sampler (show and tell)
Retro Yo-Yo Quilts
T-Shirt Quilt Tutorials

Pioneer Crafts
Pioneer Day Posts
Clove-Studded Fruit
Old-Timey Button String and Bracelet
Star-Spangled Shelf Paper
Pioneer Rag Dolls
Corn Husk Dolls
Yarn Dolls
Pioneer Handkerchief Dolls
Pioneer Chick Lit
Children's Pioneer Recipes
Flip Over Old Fashioned Games
Children's Pioneer Day Event
A New Twist on Pioneer Hay Sticks
Achievement Days Book Review: Sarah, Plain and Tall
Achievement Days Country Fair
Pioneer Children
CopyCat Magazine Little House Unit
Pioneer Day Toy
Native American Culture Activities for Kids

Camping Crafts
Swaps:  Some Favorite Campy Things, camping part 2
Fabric Scrap Flip Flops (YW colors):  camping part 1
YW Theme Shelf Sitter:  camping part 1
YW Value (water-proof) Matches:  camping part 1
Young Women's Camp

Seasonal
Winter
Christmas
  Snowman Soup Gift:  Christmas traditions, part 4
  Pinecone Fire Starters Gift: Christmas traditions, part 3
  Wrapping Gifts and Making Bows
  Paper Snowflakes Decorations: Christmas traditions, part 3
  Wooly Sheep Ornament: Christmas traditions, part 3
  Santa's List Ornament: Christmas traditions, part 3
  Rudolph the Paper Reindeer Decoration: Christmas traditions, part 3
  Countdown to Christmas Craft
  Applesauce Cinnamon Cutout Ornaments
  Christmas Pageant
  Cookie Tea (Exchange)
  Red-Hots Crock Pot Cider
  SpaRific Bath Mixes to Give
  Candy Cane Reindeer Ornaments
  Retro Christmas Stockings
  Fragrant Vintage Ornaments
  Festive Fruit Basket Liners
  Natural Angel Ornaments
  Christmas Coffee Cake
  Snow-Couple Bell Ornament
  Homemade Chocolate Covered Cherries
  Quick and Easy Piping Bag for Gingerbread Cookies (White Frosting)
St. Patrick's Day
  St. Patty's Day Family Night

Spring
Easter
  Bird's Nests and Jelly Bean Poem
  Boo Boo Easter Bunnies
  Easter Games
  Resurrection Eggs
Senior Tea
Mother's Day
  Bath Potpourri "Tea" Bags
  Mom Mix

Summer
Relaxation
  Active Meditation for Serious Relaxation
  Spirit Soothers
  Scents that Soothe
  Aromatherapy Bath Potpourri "Tea" Bags
  Meditation Made Easy
Big Fish Book Review (commemorate Dad by
reading the book or watching the movie on Father's Day)
Favorite Fourth of July Traditions
Origami Earrings
Chick Lit for July
Crystal Garden
Old Fashioned Travel Games
Jello Popsicles and Kool-Aid Playdough

Autumn
Trick or Treat Family Night Idea
October Traditions: Fun with Cookies
October Traditions: Chicklit, Songs, Activities
October Traditions: Autumn Days
Boys Like to Dress Up Too!
Better Than Potpourri Brew
November Traditions
Simple Oktoberfest Family Meal (foil cooking)
Fall Fun
When There's Nothing Else to Eat (leftover turkey salad)

Homemaker's Quotes

To my child:
You are the trip I did not take; 

You are the pearls I did not buy;

You are the blue Italian lake;

You are my piece of foreign sky.

~Anne Campbell

One of the luckiest things that can happen to you in life is to have a happy childhood.  ~Agatha Christie

It's better to build children than repair grownups.  ~Unknown

The best thing to spend on a child is time. ~Unknown

Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don't unravel.  ~Unknown

Never chasten beyond the balm you have within you to bind up.  ~Brigham Young

The best way to make children good is to make them  happy. ~Oscar Wilde

The next time the children started quarreling, I fought back an urge to get angry and started singing, “Jesus said love everyone; treat them kindly too.  When your heart is filled with love, others will love you.”  Both children stopped quarreling and looked up in happy surprise.  Mother was singing!  ~Margery D. Small

[Parenthood] is a learn-on-the-job situation.  It's not for the faint-of-heart. ~Kathleen "Casey" Null

Don't think of the gray in your hair.  Think of the fun you had putting it there.  ~Anna Greenwood

Friends are important, but when you have a child you should turn into a parent.  ~Elaine Cannon

In 1939, President Joseph F. Smith taught:  "There should [not] be any of us so unwisely indulgent, so thoughtless and shallow in our affection for our children that we dare not check them in a wayward course, in wrong-doing and in their foolish love for the things of the world more than for the things of righteousness, for fear of offending them."

Beginnings

Yes, my fretting, frowning child, 

I could cross the room to you more easily.

But I've already learned to walk, 

So I make you come to me.

Let go now--There! You see?

Oh, remember this simple lesson, child,

And when in later years you cry out

With tight fists and tears--

"Oh, help me, God--please."--

Just listen and you'll hear a silent voice:

"I would, child, I would.

But it's you, not I, who needs to try Godhood."

~Carol Lynn Pearson

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. ~Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985), Prophet

"A virtuous woman" (Proverbs 31:10):

Verse    Quality

11          Can be trusted

13          Works willingly

20          Is compassionate

25          Is strong and honorable

26          Speaks with wisdom and kindness

28          Is a dedicated wife and mother

30          Obeys the Lord

...and for always letting me lick the spoon.

This card was the best present I could get on my 43 birthday from the child, (Elise--shown above), who always loves to help in the kitchen.

There is nothing wrong with the world that a sensible woman could not settle in an afternoon. ~Jean Giraudoux

Emergency Lunch Kit

I found this neat idea in Gifts That Taste Good, p. 103 (ISBN 0942237099).  This made a great gift for a college Christmas care package.  I just used a scrapbooking tag maker to make my tag, although the book includes a pattern for the tag and cross.  I also used a strip of cheese cloth to make my bandage.  Here are the soup and crackers recipe that go in the box.  You can also include a red mug.

Potato Soup Mix
1-3/4 cups instant mashed potatoes
1-1/2 cups nonfat dry milk
2 tablespoons instant chicken bouillon
2 teaspoons dried minced onion
1-1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon dried whole thyme
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/8 teaspoon turmeric
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, mixing until completely blended.  Store in airtight container.  Yield:  about 2-1/2 cups of mix.  To serve:  Place 1/4 cup soup mix in a soup bowl or mug.  Add 1 cup boiling water and stir until smooth.  Let soup sit 1 to 2 minutes to thicken slightly.

Parmesan-Herb Nibbles
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon Fine Herbes (in grocery spice section)
1/3 cup butter or margarine
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 egg yolks
2 teaspoons water
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  In a large bowl, sift together first 4 ingredients.  Stir in herbs.  With a pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter and cheese until mixture resembles a course meal.  Stir in egg yolks and water.  Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 2 minutes.  Roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness.  With a paring knife, cut dough vertically into 1-inch wide strips; cut 1-inch wide strips horizontally to make small squares.  Carefully lift squares from surface with flat side of knife and place on greased baking sheets.  Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned.  Cool completely before storing in airtight container.  Yield:  about 6 dozen squares.
Tip:  I didn't have the patience to roll out the dough to make the nibbles.  I formed the dough into a log and put in the freezer for about an hour, long enough for the butter to get solid again.  Then I sliced the log into 1/8 inch slices and baked as mentioned.


Here's the instructions from the book on how to wrap the package (p. 123).

Homemade Firestarters

Homemade firestarters work really great!  You'll have a blazing fire in no time.  First is a tutorial for an easy way to recycle egg crates, candle wax, and dryer lint into firestarters.  Next, are the instructions for using pinecones from the yard to dip in scented candle wax and give as a gift basket.

Save cardboard egg cartons and keep one nearby the dryer when cleaning out the lint.  Place the lint in each egg opening.

I use stubs of candles and leftover candle wax.  Place them in a metal can inside a pan of boiling water.

When the wax is melted, pour it over the lint so that it soaks thoroughly.  They are easy to tear apart when you need to build a fire.

(photo from Gooseberry Patch Christmas 3, p. 52)

One thing we have plenty of around our house are pinecones.  These can be dipped in leftover candle wax that's already tinted to make a lovely fireside gift.  To de-critter, be sure to bake the pinecones on a foil-lined cookie sheet.  Space the pinecones evenly and bake for 35-45 min. at 250 degrees.  Watch carefully and handle with care.  Do not use for 24 hours.

Pinecone Firestarters Gift

Red or green wax dye (optional) 
Paraffin
"Christmas" scented oil (optional)

(or instead of the first three items, use leftover Scentsy or candle wax that's already scented and dyed)

Double boiler

Dry pinecones, free of any sap residue (see baking instructions above)

Wire or candle wicking

1.  Heat wax or paraffin in a double boiler to approximately 140 degrees.

2.  Hook a short length of wire onto pinecone.

3.  Holding wire, carefully dip pinecone into hot wax.

4.  Set pinecone on its base, and allow to cool and dry for a few hours before using.

Bean Chimichangas (Baked)

This is a great vegetarian (and food storage) meal.  They are so fast and easy to make.  Plus they're very healthy because you bake the chimichangas instead of frying them.  They are seriously good!  Here are the ingredients you'll need:

Bean Chimichangas (Baked)

16-ounce can refried beans

1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

1/3 cup medium salsa

1 tablespoon taco seasoning mix

one-half of a (5-ounce) package yellow rice mix, cooked

5, 10-inch flour tortillas (Our Best Bites has a great tortilla making tutorial!)

shredded lettuce 

salsa

guacamole

sour cream

Stir together refried beans, cheese, salsa, and taco seasoning mix.  Stir in rice.  Place 1/3 cup mixture just below center of each tortilla.  Fold opposite sides of tortillas over filling, forming rectangles; secure with picks.  

Place on a baking sheet and coat both sides of chimichangas with cooking spray.  Bake at 425 degrees 8 minutes.  

Arrange on lettuce.  Serve with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream, if desired. Chimichangas can be frozen in a heavy-duty zip-top plastic bags fro up to 3 months.  Yield: 2 to 4 servings.

Kid-Sized Personal Histories

I know I got this page from the Friend Magazine, I just can't find the link!  The parent fills in the top part and the child fills in the bottom part.   This is awesome for just getting a few interesting memories down quickly during Family Night or a Sunday afternoon.  Be sure to put them in the personal history portion of the family book of remembrance (family history album).  This page is a great way to involve children in making their own books of remembrance by beginning their own personal history.  This might help them write experiences that are meaningful to them now.

Here are some other ideas and links for including family history on family night:

1. Prepare a small section of the family book of remembrance (personal histories section?) with key photos interspersed with appropriate comments to illustrate the growth and development of your family.  Share this often.  Small children will especially enjoy listening to family experiences being shared.  Go through family pictures, baby books, souvenirs--when children were too young to remember--incidents they will enjoy hearing about such as my eldest child's first smile, or how she would look out the window on a winter's day while Dad was fixing the car and yell "Da!" over and over and was thrilled when he would take time to wave back.  Or after my son experienced riding in a big rig with his dad he from then on would point and yell, "Truck!" whenever he saw another big rig.  Or the middle child who would always exclaim, "I need a hug!" when she sensed she might be in trouble.
2. Family history can be interesting and colorful.  Even children, who can't write yet can start a book of remembrance.  Let them tell you what their drawings represent, and write a caption underneath the pictures.  For instructions visit "Picture Journals."
3. Collaboratively as a family or on their own, write "What we remember best about our life in our family," even if they are not necessarily spiritual but made you and the family happy.
4. "25 Terrific Ideas for Family History Fun" is a great source for family home evenings, especially for teens.

Book of Remembrance FAQs

This is placed in front of the FGR section of my Book of Remembrance. 

Sacred family records should be prepared by inspiration and as described in the helpful guide, The Priesthood Genealogy Program Booklet, a book of remembrance could contain the following:

Personal Records:  A personal record for each family member showing the highlights of his or her life.  Each child should be encouraged to complete his own personal record.

For your own portion of the family book of remembrance, write the story of your life, including the influence each child has had on you as he has come into your family.  This makes a nice gift for each family member to have a copy.

Family History and Biography:  Family Group Records (FGR) showing the complete families of all names listed on the pedigree chart and all temple ordinance work completed or in progress on the direct lines.  A good beginning for this section of the book of remembrance would be the Four-Generation family group records.

For a nice Christmas gift, make a family record containing genealogical information for each of your children and grandchildren.  Record all important dates and a brief description of important events in the lives of each one.

Pedigree Charts:  A pedigree chart showing the direct ancestry of the family for at least four generations should be placed in the book.  As additional information is gathered it should be added to this chart to complete the family record as far back as the direct family ancestry can be traced.

Include special letters saved, like the newsletter my grandmother wrote every year for as long as I can remember.  It summed up the year (each and every baby born) but also included memories, testimony, and love.  Reading ancestor's feelings about life binds a family closer together.

Sacred Personal and Family Experiences:  Sacred personal experiences which would be faith promoting for future generations.  Sacred personal and family experiences would include those faith promoting or spiritual experiences which have brought you and your family closer to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Spirit of the Holy Ghost will dictate to you which of those spiritual experiences you may wish to share with family members to help increase their testimonies of the Gospel.

Spiritual and faith promoting experiences could include the following types of principles, activities or events:

• Your personal testimony of the Gospel
• Your Missionary experiences
• Your conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ
• Inspirational experiences with spiritual leaders and friends (i.e. inspirational stories and experiences, great church leaders known or met, personal testimony and feelings about such occasions).
• Special blessings such as patriarchal blessings and father's blessings
• Church job/position related experience
• Interpretation of favorite scriptures (for instance I have collected scriptures about homemaking, my chosen profession)
• Personal and family testimonies of gospel ordinances such as Baptism, Gift of the Holy Ghost, The Priesthood, The endowment and sealing ordinances.  Don't forget to ask the clerk's office for an official blessing certificate, baptismal certificate, etc.  These are great to copy and include in your book of remembrance.  (Include impressions at the time you were baptized, confirmed, gave a first testimony, attended a significant church meeting such as a solemn assembly, took out your own endowments in the temple, temple marriage).
• Personal and family testimonies of Gospel Principles/Personal Characteristics, (i.e.  Faith, Love, Prayer, Tithing, Baptism, Revelation, Hope, Reverence, Kindness, Repentance, Service, Integrity, Obedience, The Holy Ghost, Gifts of the Spirit, Patience, Well prepared talks, Understanding
• Write your testimony, not the formal type, but just how you feel now--at age 8, 14, 25, 40, 65, 80, etc.

Chicken Divine!

This recipe reminds me of Chicken Divan so I like to call it "Chicken Divine!"  It is a great meal to double for pot lucks.  You can also make one for your family and take one to someone in need of a good meal.  Because it's a one-dish-meal, all you need is some store-bought rolls and a bag of Chips-Ahoy cookies for dessert.  Delicious!

Chicken and Broccoli Bake
4 chicken skinless, boneless breast halves
3 (10-ounce) frozen broccoli, cooked 
(I like to steam the frozen broccoli--be sure not to cook too much)
1/2 c. milk
1/4 c. mayonnaise
1 c. Swiss cheese, grated (or Italian blend)
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 cup buttered cracker crumbs 
(About 6-7 Ritz crackers crushed in a Ziploc baggie)
Either bring chicken to a boil with a sprinkling of Poultry Special Mix, then lower temperature to simmer for 30 minutes to 1 hour,
OR bake chicken in 350 degree oven, sprinkled lightly with Poultry Special Mix, for an hour.
In a casserole or 9 x 9 x 2-inch pan, layer broccoli and chicken.
In a saucepan make a sauce by combining soup, milk, mayonnaise, and lemon juice.  Heat and stir just until boiling and smooth.  (This can be done in a bowl in the microwave.  I press the beverage button and stir well; then press the beverage button again and stir again.).
Remove from heat and stir in cheese.
Pour sauce over chicken, cover with crumbs.
Bake covered for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes.

A Book of Remembrance

I'm sharing a handout I found and followed faithfully.  I found it in March 2004 from a web address that's no longer available.  Please note, only copies of official records such as blessings and patriarchal blessing should be included in your Book of Remembrance.  The originals should be placed in a fire-safe place.

You are encouraged to work on your individual Book of Remembrance at least once a month such as on the Sabbath and during Family Home Evening.  A Book of Remembrance should not be a scrapbook.  Rather, it should be something that would be spiritually uplifting and faith promoting for future generations.  It should rate second only to the written scriptures.  It is your own "personal scriptures" of your life and the Lord's dealings with you.  The Lord distinguishes between the righteous and the wicked, in part at least, by their diligence in recording His dealings with them (Doctrine and Covenants 85: 9-10).  Your Book of Remembrance is a physical witness to the Lord that you are keeping His commandments.  It should be used along with the scriptures in teaching the gospel to the family.

What we record in our Book of Remembrance may be recorded in heaven.  Let us therefore, offer unto the Lord, when it is finished, a book containing the records of our families which shall be worthy of acceptance.  (Doctrine and Covenants 128)  In 1 Nephi, chapter 3, Lehi commands his sons to go back to Jerusalem and obtain their Book of Remembrance (the plates of brass in the house of Laban) and they did murmur, saying it is a hard thing which he required of them.  Lehi replied saying, I have not required it of them but it is a commandment of the Lord.

The following steps are nothing more than a suggested outline for those who are not sure where to start.  Write down the month you begin and each month you work on your Book of Remembrance.

MONTH:

• Write your personal testimony.  (I LOVE this article from the Ensign!  It's an easy way to get started on a personal history and if that's all you do, it's better than nothing!  Carol Huber, "One-Hour Life History," Ensign, June 1994, 54)
• List positions held in the church.
• Start on your pedigree chart.
• Write some spiritual experiences of a sacred nature from your own life.
• Begin to compile addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of family members who may have information you will need regarding your family history.

MONTH:

• Complete a Family Group Record (FGR) for your family.
• Work on FGR's where husband and wife appear as children (2 sheets).
• Make contacts or write letters that will give you missing information on your pedigree chart and/or FGR's.
• Write down the spiritual goals you would like to achieve as a family.

MONTH:

• Start FGR's for grandparents of both husband and wife,  (4 sheets--this makes a total of 7 sheets you've worked on and is known as your Third Generation set of FGR's).
• Continue on previous sheets where information was missing.  Write letters NOW to get missing names and dates.
• Start your personal history.  Start with the first 20 years of your life.  (Do not attempt to make it so lengthy that it becomes a chore.  Cover only the highlights of your life.  In some instances a paragraph may cover several years).

MONTH:

• Continue on first seven FGRs.  Verify if temple work has been done for deceased persons.
• Put Patriarchal Blessing in your book.  If you don't have one, make an appointment to talk to your bishop about getting one.  (For all you need to know about Patriarchal Blessings, read:  Robert K. Wagstaff, "When Should I Get My Patriarchal Blessing?," New Era, Aug. 2009, 10-12).
• Continue on personal history.
• If you attend a family reunion, plan ahead to take your sheets with a list of missing information you need to complete them.

MONTH:

• Work more on your personal history--finish as soon as possible.
• Start on FGR for grandparents of both husband's and wife's mother.  The husband and wife should now have a total of 15 sheets.  When completed, you will have completed your Fourth Generation family history.
• Gather pictures for a Picture Pedigree Chart.

MONTH:

• Include special certificates in your Book of Remembrance such as birth certificates, ordinances, etc.).
• Gather any known spiritual experiences of your ancestors.
• Write a few paragraphs about each of your children.  Mention some of their virtues and capabilities.  You may want to have a page for each child and add to it from time to time.

MONTH:

• If not covered already, write down sacred experiences in the lives of your children.  It need not be meaningful or even impressive to everyone, just to your family.  Examples are:  prayers answered, miraculous recovery from illness, etc.
• Continue on to complete FGR's and other items not done yet.

MONTH:

• Brethern include your Priesthood line of authority.  You need only to give your line of authority for the highest office you hold within the Priesthood.  Sisters might want to include line of authority of person who baptized and confirmed her.
• If not done already, organize your Book of Remembrance in a logical way.  For example:  Title Page, Introduction, Table of Contents, Personal Records, Life Story/ Biography, Genealogy (FGR's, pedigree charts, ancestor stories), Spiritual Record (blessings, answered prayers, testimony, spiritual experiences, church activities/callings), Family Life and Traditions, etc.
• Check FGR's to see that temple work has been done for all deceased persons.

MONTH:

• Look at your Book of Remembrance--how do you feel about it?  Do you have a personal feeling that it is your very own?  Has it begun to represent the spiritual tone of your individual family?
• Should death take the father or mother, the pages of the Book of Remembrance should remain to reveal to the bereaved the spirit of that individual.

Congratulations!  Now keep your Book of Remembrance up-to-date as special events occur in the life of you and your family.  Make any necessary copies of things for your children.  Why not do some research on your fifth generations?  Or keep a blank book to record important experiences of all the family members in their own handwriting.

Here are some more scriptures regarding a Book of Remembrance:
Doctrine and Covenants 85: 9-10
Malachi 3:16-17
Rev. 20:12
Abraham 1:31
Rev. 1:11
Doctrine and Covenants 128