Denise Layton

Those of you who knew Wanda and Linda's neice Denise Layton (our sister Antonette oldest daughter) Just wanted to let you know that she passed away this past Saturday morning the 21st. She lived in Surprise. My daughter Julie has been over there the last 7 weeks staying with her and taking care of her. There will be a viewing at Caldwells on Tues.May 1st from 8 to 10 a.m. The graveside services will follow immediately after that at the Safford Cemetary . There may be a few in our ward who remember our sister Antonette Gardner . Thank you , Wanda Thatcher and Linda Shurtz

The Family

"Central to knowing the Father is understanding the revealed pattern of family. The family is the most important unit in time and in eternity and is ordained of God. Living in loving family relationships not only brings us great happiness, but it also helps us learn correct principles and prepares us for eternal life. In addition, family relationships help us know, love, and understand the Father. This is one reason Latter-day Saints have always emphasized the importance of marriage and family both in the Church and in society. God’s plan provides a way for family relationships to extend beyond the grave. We can return to the presence of God, eternally united with our families." --Elder Quentin L. Cook, "The Doctrine of the Father", February The Doctrine of the Fat2012 Ensign D&C 138:47–48 Families Can Be Together Forever, Hymn #300

Self Reliance Tip # 53 Reviews For Two..

Its time for a review...or two...

Review #1:

Last week I "unveiled" the Wonder Wash (now I have a Wonder Wash and a Wonder Oven HAH! ). I cracked mine open yesterday and did some laundry. Here are some pros and cons from my experience: Cons: It doesn't hold much One of the suction cups on the bottom didn't hold and made it kind of hard to turn. ( I eventually taught it who's boss). Pros: It actually worked pretty well. When pre-treated, my daughter's shirt came out perfect. It is easy enough for my three year old to turn. He even enjoyed doing laundry. It is so much less mess than a "plunger and bucket" combo - especially for the kiddos. Even socks came out smelling fresh - not bad for two minutes of turning. Overall, it was a good buy and I know it will come in handy.When my kids got home from school, they all "oo-d" and "ah-d".

My daughter said, "This is so easy. I could do laundry all day!" Are you thinkin' what I'm thinkin'? Bingo!! Summer fun here we come!

Review #2

A few weeks ago I sent out a video demo on a better way to do candles than I showed you last April. I bought the mold and started practicing.

Cons: You have to get the wick as close to center as possible. If not, they spill out the side of the candle and it makes a mess. I had to figure out a better way to thread the wicks into the mold because I was getting frustrated. It can be messy (that is until you get your groove down, then no prob!)

Pros: These are the BEST candles! These little babies last about two hours each. If you didn't get the wick quite right, and you have a messy candle, you can remelt the wax and make another! They are so much fun to make!!! My kids are willing to do extra jobs to "earn" some candles...they love them too.

... And another thing...

So, what do you do with extra red peppers? Sometimes if you ever go to a food bank, Bountiful Baskets, or someone gives you more than you're going to use, what do you do with them? Dehydrate them. You can use a dehydrator or your oven on the lowest of the low settings. Some awesome people gave me more than I could use fresh, so I did just that. I tried wax paper before, but I've discovered the love of parchment paper. It works so much better! I laid parchment paper on two cookie sheets. I chopped my peppers into small pieces and scattered them across the parchment. Next, they went on in the oven with them below the "warm" setting and left them alone for a few hours. I would change racks every few hours and push them around because the outside ones seem to dry faster than the inside ones. I put them in before dinner and they were completely dry by lunch the next day. Dehydrators take a bit more time, but I think they might be a little more efficient with the energy used. Give it a try! The possibilities are endless with the vegetables you can dehydrate!

Self Reliance Tip # 52 Lil Washer That Could!

Sister Cassie found out this last week that being without a washer for even a week can be really annoying and stressful.


Anything that can make powerless laundry a little easier to do is on top of my list because we do A LOT of laundry at my house. So... I wanted to show you a new little diddy that I found. I got one and I'll give a review next week, but I'm really excited!!! It wouldn't be for all of your laundry. Bigger things like blankets and husband work pants are probably out, but it would work great for smaller things.


Here is the product:
http://www.greencupboards.com/laundry-alternative-wonderwash.html?CAWELAID=975315362&gclid=CKiIiaTBqq8CFQcFRQod1U07Xg


Here is a video review and how it works:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yk-CK_2OmHk


This weekend we went and had a blast in Mesa. Kids sprayed squirt guns at each other everywhere we went. At one place, the whole hose was full blast and we had some drippin' wet kids. So fun, unless you wanted no puddles on the tile floor. My sister-in-law in her wisdom pulled something similar to this out:
http://www.solutions.com/1/1/635-wooden-clothes-drying-rack.html

So, we used one of these little guys to hang them to dry. It isn't a full fledged drying line, but for several purposes they really come in handy.


... And another thing....


I LOVE this site!!! It is chocked full of so many awesome recipe ideas and they are ALL food-storage minded meals. I try to only look at it once a day otherwise I'd spend too much time here :). So many wonderful ideas...so little time...


There are also Wonder Oven recipes!


http://myfoodstoragecookbook.com/


A big thanks to Sister Barbara for sharing this with me!

No Ordinary Blessing

"Since the world began, God has raised up prophets who speak the will of heaven to the people of their times. It is our responsibility to listen and then apply the messages the Lord provides for us. Our merciful and loving Heavenly Father has not forsaken and will not forsake His children. Today, as well as in times past, He has appointed apostles and prophets. He continues to reveal His word to them."

--President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "General Conference—No Ordinary Blessing", September 2011 Ensign



D&C 21:1–5

We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet, Hymn #19

Self Relaince Tip #51 72 Hour Kits and Brigham Tea

Good morning! The weather can be a funny thing. It has been so nice and then it got chilly again. I guess it isn't quite time to separate out my winter clothes just yet. :)


I found this video and I thought it worth sharing. Most of it may not be new to you, but there may be some ideas to help you in preparing a "disaster kit" that we know better as a 72 hour kit. I really need to get one for our family vehicles in case someone may be stranded in case of an emergency.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-m8G27FxhU&feature=related


On the subject of rotating these "kit" items, the video suggests checking it when most of the country changes clocks for daylight savings. Since we as Arizonans don't do that, General Conference is a good time to do that. Did anyone do that this weekend? Do your clothes still fit? Are those granola bars nice and stale?


Just a few things to think about in your efforts to keep these very valuable things updated.


..... And another thing....
........... From Heavenly Father's Medicine Cabinet.....


I have really enjoyed learning about desert plants and the gifts they are to us from our Heavenly Father! The plant I would like to put in the limelight today is ..... wait for it....

Ephedra Nevadensis~ Also known for making "Brigham Tea"



They can actually grow pretty wide, and about 4 feet tall. I've never seen one taller than me, and that's not real hard to do :). It is actually the American form of the Chinese Ephedra. You can find these on the higher desert places. "Brigham" actually refers to Brigham Young. It is also known as Mormon Tea. I have heard of my ancestors using it for chronic cough (bronchitis) while crossing the plains. Some of them will get a white powdery film on them. This is actually yeast. They would put these yeast covered branches in their sugar water and make bread with it this way. ISN'T THAT AWESOME??? The powered herb can be sprinkled where someone is bleeding and it will help it to coagulate and stop it.


The tea is also good for:


UTI's
Syphilis

Allergies
and
Low blood pressure


SWEET!!!