Luau Party

If you wear a flower on the left side of your head you are single.  If you wear it on the right, you are taken or married.

Games to Play:  
limbo
hula hoop contest

Ambiance:
paper sack lights (weighed down with sand and can use tea light candles with battery operated tea lights)
Hawaiian CDs for background music (found several at the Dollar Tree for a buck each)

Fun Activities (depending on the crowd):

• Sew simple bathing suit sarongs (find a good pattern and try it out)
• Make a candy lei:  Materials - small candies of any kind, plastic wrap (colored preferred) and curly ribbon.  Spread the wrap out on a table about 3 ft. long and lay the candies down the middle of the wrap.  Carefully close the wrap around the candy and in between the candy, tie a curly ribbon to close and to create the candy lei.  Knot and tie at the ends with more ribbon.
• Watch "Johnny Lingo" or "The Other Side of Heaven"

The Spread:
Make Hawaiian Haystacks or Pearly Shell Chicken Salad served with Hawaiian rolls and Hawaiian Punch, (or pork and teriyaki chicken on rice).

Winter Days: Cleaning Schedules

I admit, my New Year's Resolution could only be exciting to a Homemaker.  I resolve to clean my entire home and yard in an organized manner!  Yes, I am very excited about this!!  A personal cleaning schedule is something I want to include in my own homemaking journal I am putting together for my kids.  The idea came from recently rereading all of the Little House books (Laura Ingalls Wilder) and finding a cleaning schedule in Little House in the Big Woods.

"Wash on Monday,

Iron on Tuesday,

Mend on Wednesday,

Churn on Thursday,

Clean on Friday,

Bake on Saturday,

Rest on Sunday."

I think everyone would take a restful Sunday more seriously if they had to work hard six out of the seven days a week.  Little House in the Big Woods takes place before everyone had kerosene lanterns and coal burning stoves.  Very few women could work outside the home because there was so much to accomplish at home.  I really feel for the women back then who believed they were not talented at homemaking.  You really had to make the effort anyway!

I've been reading old Relief Society manuals from the late 1980's and 1990's.  I love how much emphasis the Church used to put on Homemaking Skills, keeping homes clean and tidy, and being organized.  Now I remember where I get this from.  I had my 19 year-old daughter read a lesson by Russell M. Nelson, (Apostle) about abortion.  When she was through reading that lesson, she became so interested in the other lessons that she asked if she could take the book back to school with her.  (I'm so proud!)

Some of my Daily Chores are pretty hefty and may take splitting the chores up for that day and completing them over two weeks.  Also, we only have 1400 sq. feet (by choice) so I don't have a huge house to clean.  If the kids are around with nothing better to do (like homework...) they help me.  Here's my Daily Schedule:

Each Day:
8-9am
Personal Prayer
Garbage/Recycling
Laundry (1-2 loads daily)
Dishes
9-10am, Work Out (Leslie Sansome Walk at Home)
10-12am, Daily Chore (listen to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Conference Talks during chore):
Daily Chores List:
Mondays:  Mop floors and vacuum (furniture too), wash rugs, clean porch room floor
Tuesdays:  Clean personal bathroom (husband and son share a bathroom that they clean), my bedroom, and dust my bookcases (takes up one whole wall), blinds and fans (including bath exhaust fan)
Wednesdays:  Dust a different room each week including porch room, (blinds and fans, corners and ceilings included and wash windows, clean leather chairs).
Thursdays:  Bake bread, clean out fridge and clean appliances (exterior)
Fridays:  Water plants, vacuum and wash truck (my personal vehicle) thoroughly, pay bills, create menu (using up stuff in the fridge and pantry) and create list for the rest of my groceries, grocery shopping
Saturdays:  Deep clean (a different one each week)--
oven
fridge
cabinets (any throughout house)
laundry room (and vent system)
range hood and filter
vinyl siding
exterior windows and screens
also
paint any wood exterior (this years' project)
yard work

12:00-2:50pm, While resting, study either GRE test, a past bookmarked Ensign article, or the Sunday School lesson (scripture study)
2:50-5:00pm, School pick-up and fix dinner
5-7pm, Pay bills/File papers, menu and grocery list updated, help with homework
7:00pm - bedtime, Do something creative (catch up on scrapbooks, sew dress and fleece shawl, complete sanding and cleaning repurposed furniture, complete cross-stitch project).
Family Prayer, Personal Prayer/Read novel

Here's my checklist for the week:

October Traditions: Autumn Days

"Pumpkins are fun to decorate, fun to cook, and fun to eat--and even vegetable-snubbing children agree.  Even adults who eat plenty of vegetables should consider eating more pumpkin, for it couldn't be more nutritious, and might even help curb your appetite."

Here is an excellent recipe for Relief Society Visiting Teaching this fall:

Really Good Pumpkin Bread (Gift-giving)

3 c. sugar

1 c. oil

4 eggs

1 (16-oz.) can pumpkin

1 t. baking powder

2 t. baking soda

2/3 c. water

3-1/2 c. flour

2 t. salt

1 t. cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice

1/2 c. chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts)

Cream together sugar and oil.  Add eggs and pumpkin.  Mix well.  Add dry ingredients along with water.  Pour into well-greased and floured loaf pans (or 4-5 mini loaf pans).  Sprinkle nuts along center top of batter.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour.  Let stand 10 min.  remove from pans and cool.  Yield:  4 mini loaves.

Tip for a craft that most people enjoy in October--CARVING PUMPKINS!  Rub a little petroleum jelly on the cuts to keep the carved pumpkin better preserved.

Advice from A Tree:

Stand tall.

Act naturally.

Enjoy the view.

Settle down.

Make your self useful.

Change your look for the season.  

Smell good.

Sink deep roots.

You never look stupid by staying quiet.

Learn to bend.

Take what comes and make the best of it.  

Drink plenty of water.

Recycle.

Be yourself.

Take the winter off.

Wind Gives Speech To Trees.  ~Helen Aoki Kaneko

Pillowcase face, 

Old straw hat

Worn-out jeans, 

Imagine that...

Flannel shirt, 

Stuffed with hay

Make a scarecrow, 

On an autumn day.

Measuring Up...Improvement Quotes

Take a hard look at those things which we needlessly, foolishly turn into burdens when they were meant to be blessings.  ~Elaine Cannon

What's the difference between ignorance and arrogance?  I don't know and I don't care.

Those who resist correction, resist perfection. ~President Snow

Too frequently we strive to live as good a life as our peers, when we should be striving to live like the Savior.  (Dr. Jae R. Ballif, physics professor at Brigham Young University)

Elder Marion D. Hanks, Assistant to the Council of the Twelve, said of the Apostle Paul:  "The Lord called him to the ministry, not because of what he had done (or hadn't done), but because of what he was going to be able to do."  (Eastern Atlantic States Mission leadership seminar, summer 1968.)

I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away.  If I immerse myself in the scriptures the distance narrows and the spirituality returns.  ~Spencer W. Kimball, (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, [1982], 135).

Elder Harold B. Lee reminded us that a certain amount of spiritual preparation is necessary
before we can receive divine communications.  He said, "The Lord will bring us his blessings to that extent that we have diligence in keeping his commandments.  Each of you, in other words, must stand on your own feet if you will receive the great blessings which the Almighty has in store for you...Stand upon your own feet, so the Lord can speak to you.  In humility be prepared to say with Paul, 'Lord, what wilt thou have me do?'  And with dauntless courage say with the boy Samuel, 'Speak, Lord, thy servant heareth.'  Be humble, be prayerful and the Lord will take you by the hand, as it were, and give you answer to your prayers."  ("But Arise and Stand upon Thy Feet"--and I Will Speak with Thee, Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year, Provo, 7 Feb. 1956, pp. 7, 11.)

The way of the gospel is a simple way.  Some of the requirements may appear to you as elementary and unnecessary.  Do not spurn them.  Humble yourselves and walk in obedience.  I promise that the results that follow will be marvelous to behold and satisfying to experience.  ~Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, (Ensign, Nov. 1976, 96)

If you want praise more than instruction -- you may get neither.  ~Henry B. Eyring


Measuring Up: Integrity Quotes
Measuring Up: Time and Preparation
Measuring Up: Testimony Quotes
Measuring Up: Service and Empathy Quotes
Measuring Up: Sabbath Quotes

Tips for Toddlers

You can drag the children to church but you can't make them listen-unless you are prepared.  ~LaVern Parmalee

There comes a time, (pretty darn quick!) when most small children will no longer be content just observing the sights and sounds around them.  We've all seen children being allowed the freedom to run about willy nilly in church meetings, waiting rooms, restaurants, grocery stores, etc.  Now so common a sight, this behavior may have actually become accepted into our society.  However, I don't think this is good and can actually be injurious to the child in question, (and unpleasant to watch by others).  And as far as meetings go, unruly toddlers are distracting to the speaker and to the audience.  


Though we are tolerant with families of small children, the parents (please note I did not say the oldest child--emphasis on "child") should be making some effort to deal with the situation instead of ignoring their children, as is so often the case nowadays.  Taking a few extra precautions will make things go a little more smoothly.  If you are very sensitive to what I have stated so far, then you are probably not who I am talking about because most people who have this issue seem to be quite oblivious.  By I'll persevere anyway. 


While reading an old article in my churches' magazine (Ann Stoddard Reese, "I Have a Question," Ensign, Jan. 1977, 75), I was reminded of the many things my husband and I would be prepared to do to make outings with our littles ones much more pleasant for everyone concerned.  I made paper dolls, but out of cloth so they were soft and quiet and pretty much indestructible, and I used Velcro cut into tiny squares hand sewn onto the body and clothes to keep the clothes on.  I also sewed a giant quiet book that taught skills such as tying, zipping and buttoning.  It also taught shapes, colors, etc.  These can be bought already made at book stores.  They were just some of the quiet toys that we only used at church or other public places and were rotated out often to be disinfected and to give the children a chance to play with other quiet toys.  The items were kept in a special bag used only for these "quiet" occasions.  


My children were also taught the difference between a indoor voice and outdoor voice, a quiet voice and a loud voice, a whisper and a yell.  Yes, these must be taught!  And I learned so much from the other families with young children with whom we associated.  They had lots of good ideas.  One that was the most helpful, was to give my 3-yr. old a five-minute warning before we had to do whatever it was that the child would probably have a fit over (such as leaving playtime at preschool or the church nursery).  


An idea from the article that I have seen be very successful is to reserve the back row of the women's classroom at church for the mothers with small children.  ...(And parents--for Heaven's sake, do not change your child's poopee diaper right there in the church meeting--ICK!)...  The chairs in the meeting should be set up so that the mothers can take their children from the back row out of the room, in case their child is causing a disturbance.  My husband and I really enjoyed our children's toddlerhood and when the time finally came, we would often spend time playing with the children in nursery and participating in their activities.  This helped the transition from our knee to nursery class a little smoother. 

Homemaker's Must-Have Apron

A homemaker’s best friends can be a pair of good-fitting rubber gloves and an appropriate apron.  These are two items I cannot live without!  I even take them with me when camping.  My favorite brand of rubber gloves are Playtex (the purple kind).  

One December, we had a sewing activity making aprons in Relief Society.  My two teenage daughters and I made aprons to wear when cooking or cleaning.  Aprons really save your clothes so I have lots of them.  Because aprons are so important to me as a homemaker, I adapted the pattern instructions so that everyone can see how easy making Sister Becky’s aprons can be.  (See Becky's Like Badge under Cottage Industries, to the right).  This also makes a great gift! 

All of the fabrics can be the same pattern, or you can go wild.  The fabrics in the following pictures are from my scraps pile.  You may want to start with scraps of fabric for the first apron so you can get the hang of things.  (Your practice apron can be worn to clean the bathrooms or work in the garden).  Here is the materials list:

3 yds. of 7/8” grosgrain ribbon

Matching thread

Approx. ¾ yd. fabric for the Apron Body

¼ yd. for the Pocket

½ yd. for the Lining

For aprons, I like to use a cloth that does not require much ironing.  Wash fabrics according to the directions you will find at the end of the bolt in the store.  Usually washing fabrics with like colors on cold is a safe bet.  Iron the fabric as directed before starting the sewing project.

Cutting Instructions:

Apron Body

Fold the ¾ yd. fabric in half, right sides together.

Cut a 17 inch width (folded) x 27 inch length (folded) piece of material.

With fabric positioned vertically place a pin 1 ½ inches from the cut side of material. 

Using a straight-edge (whatever is handy), and a chalk or marker, draw a slanted cutting line from the pin to the bottom right edge, then cut on line through both layers of fabric.

Next, print off the following two pictures to use as patterns for the curved portion of the apron. 
Print these pattern pieces at Google Docs.  

    

Trim to black lines on each.

 

Place apron pattern top curve as shown along folded side.

Place apron pattern bottom curve so it lines up with the top curve pattern as shown, lined up with cut side (slightly overlaps).

You can tape these two pieces to make pattern piece.  Pin in place and cut through both layers of fabric.

Now is a good time to trace your cut Apron Body onto freezer paper to make a more permanent pattern piece and eliminate many of the steps above.

Apron Lining

Measure 14 ½ from the top left corner of your Apron Body Pattern and fold the bottom half of the pattern under.  Now you have an Apron Lining Pattern.

Cut the apron liner making sure the straight edge of your pattern is on the fold like shown.

Pocket

Cut an 8 x 20 inch rectangle from the pocket fabric.

Sewing Instructions:

Pocket

Fold top ¼ inch to wrong side and press.

Fold top 1 inch to wrong side and press.  Sew top at sides, clip corners.

Turn to right side out, press, and top stitch top of pocket.  

Find center of pocket and mark with straight pen.  Match center of pocket to center of apron, matching up lower edge of apron with lower edge of pocket.Top stitch pocket to apron at pocket sides.  Stitch lines to create smaller pockets now.  Back stitch at top of pocket when sewing.

Lining

Turn lining lower edge under ¼ inch and press.  Turn under ¼ inch again and press.

Stitch lower edge.

Pin lining to apron, right sides together.  Stitch upper apron from top side to top of apron on both sides (sew curves).

Place a pin 1 inch from each end of the top of the apron.  Sew from pin to pin, leaving 1 inch open on each side.  This is where your ribbon will come through.  Adjust opening according to ribbon size.

Finish seams by serging, or zigzag stitching, or using pinking shears.

Turn right side out and press.

Finishing

Turn under apron side and lining side ¼ inch and press.  Repeat.  Stitch.

Turn under apron bottom ¼ - ½ inch (photo) and press, then repeat and stitch.

Ribbon

Mark front of apron 1 inch from edge, (I put a piece of tape on my sewing machine to mark 1 inch).  Top stitch each arm hole edge 1 inch from edge. This forms casing to run ribbon through.

Run ribbon through ribbon casings.

Measure ribbon to needed length by trying apron on, and trim to fit.  Place fabric glue along cut ribbon ends and let dry so ribbon won’t fray.

Now that I’m done with the trial apron, I need to get some fabulous fabric and trim to make the “real” apron.  For another cute apron idea, go to one of my favorite blogs, We Talk of Christ, We Rejoice in Christ:
http://beinglds.blogspot.com/2010/01/psyched-up-to-serve.html

Learning Homemaking Skills

Sister Barbara Winder, General Relief Society President in 1986 said:  “It is important for all of us to learn homemaking skills; whether she is married or single, every woman is a homemaker.

"I know a single woman, a widow, who prepares meals on Saturday to last her through the week because she must work long hours each day. At mealtimes, she always has a tablecloth or a place mat, a napkin, and a flower in a bud vase. Her home is artistically decorated and full of wonderful books and beautiful music.

"There is an art to being a homemaker. For ourselves and for our families, it is important that we have a sanctuary—a place of refuge away from the world where we feel comfortable and where, if others come, they, too, can feel comfortable.

"In Proverbs 31:10–31 [Prov. 31:10–31], we read, 'Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.' In those verses we are told that a virtuous woman weaves fabric, sells linen—her hands are not idle: 'She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.' (Prov. 31:27.) I think that is one of the keys. We should not be idle. We should be constantly using our gifts and talents to build up our families, the kingdom of God, and the community about us.”  (Barbara W. Winder, Ensign, March 1986, p. 20)

Being a homemaker requires developing organizational skills first and foremost.  We are required to set priorities for those homemaking skills we need to develop.  I remember the first time I went to the grocery store as a newly married young woman.  I had $25 for the week's groceries (1988).  I had no list, no menu, no clue what grocery items cost, nor did I have anything at home in the cupboards.  After about 30 minutes, I walked out of the store crying in frustration.  The first thing I needed to learn was how to stock my pantry and prepare meals on a very strict budget—this was a priority. 

Other homemaking skills included washing clothes properly.  I remember receiving so many towel sets as wedding gifts that I need not replace my towels for a good ten years!  However, right off the bat, my towels started showing signs of mildew.  This had to be addressed immediately.  I also learned that I couldn’t spend all day cleaning out a closet.  I had to learn to place a time-limit on tasks—maybe break a large task into smaller ones.

Gooseberry Patch Xmas Bk. 5, p. 99

I had received a couple of recipe books as wedding gifts and began to read them.  I found a list of essential pantry items and budgeted each week to buy these.  I asked more experienced homemakers about the mildew and learned to wash towels with vinegar.  Also, I learned to make sure no wet items were placed in the hamper!  I read articles and books on organizing closets and cabinets and donated many boxes of unnecessary items so that my cleaning didn’t take all day.

My favorite section of the library became home improvement, decorating, cooking, and cleaning.  (I look forward to Gooseberry Patch Christmas Books each year for more homemaking inspiration!)  Educating myself in my spare time was job #1.  Once essentials of homemaking were taken care of, then I was able to concentrate on more advanced skills such as cooking in large batches or giving a dinner party, as well as purchasing furniture, painting, and decorating a room.

Throughout the more than two decades of marriage, I have relied heavily on the homemaking training I have received from issues of the Ensign (old and new).  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ website lds.org, has a Gospel Library where you will find church magazines.  There you can choose the Ensign (also called the Liahona) and look up topics found in past issues by using the search engine.  I have used this for the last ten years since the Church first made past issues available in this way.  I am always recommending this site to other sisters at church who have concerns over marriage issues or questions about raising children, cooking, organizing, cleaning—you name it, it’s there!


Did You Know...
Some of the skills required for a homemaking career include:
1.  Managing time, energy, and resources (including money)
2.  Communicating effectively
3.  Housekeeping
4.  Cooking skills and nutrition
5.  Sewing, mending, and handicrafts
6.  Making wise decisions
7.  Keeping abreast of the times
8.  Applying first aid and sound health principles
9.  Making a home a place of beauty
10. Providing an atmosphere of learning, cultural refinement, recreation, service, and spirituality
11. Mothering, child care and guidance and
12. Becoming a responsive, supportive, and loving companion and wife. (I believe I got this a long time ago from one of my favorite websites www.christysclipart.com --you can also find Christy's Clipart on Facebook).


Hopefully this Homemaker's Journal will incorporate all of these.

For more on the subject: Resurgence of Homemaking in the Church