Seminary Project

Brady's seminary teacher assigned each of the students to do a project about one of the Latter-day prophets. The project had to include a 45 minute presentation and a treat of the prophet's favorite treat. 

Brady teamed up with Kirsten and they chose to do their project on Joseph F. Smith. They put together a power point about the prophet. Brady spent many hours looking up information on Joseph F. Smith and during this time he came to love him. 

Thursday night March 24th, Kirsten came over and they made Joseph F. Smith's favorite dessert:

Custard Pie

Brady wanted to make each student in the class their own pie - in a cup cake pan. BIG JOB, as there are 34 people in his class.

I gathered the supplies and supervised them as they made custard pie:

I wish I would have taken more pictures, but I forgot to get the camera out until it was time for Kirsten to leave. It was fun watching Kirsten roll out the pie dough (home made of course) and Brady putting them in the pan and making cute edges.

I've never made custard pie before and one of the instructions is: Beat eggs and strain thru fine sieve into bowl of milk. That was an interesting thing. I didn't have a "fine sieve", but in speaking with my sister - she said to use a metal strainer - basically to get the white stringing things out of the egg. It worked but took a long time to strain. VERY INTERESTING.

Here is the recipe:

Joseph F. Smith's custard pie

1 unbaked pie crust

2 cups milk

4 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

pinch salt

generous sprinkling of nutmeg

(no vanilla)

Put milk in bowl. Beat eggs and strain through fine sieve into bowl of milk. Add sugar, salt, and nutmeg. stir well and pour into pie shell. Bake 375 degrees about 25 minutes, until knife just barely comes out clean. Don't overcook or custard becomes watery. (Anchoring the supper menu at the Beehive House when Joseph F. Smith was prophet was bread and milk, with a slice of cheese. The House served this dinner to frequent guests, tourists, and dignitaries alike).

We had to eat one (empty spot in photo) just to see what it was like. It's real 'eggy". I think I would have liked it better with vanilla. 

My mother was here last week and she told us when she was a little girl - they made custard pie with the cracked eggs from their chickens that they couldn't sale. 

Brady and Kirstin's project was a success. 

Brady Cuteness

Danielle, Brady's friend from school, did a photo shoot of every cast member in Once Upon a Mattress. 

These are the pictures she took of Brady. I love them!!

I thought I would add Brady's facebook comments during the play ..... for personal journal history. 

Facebook notes from Brady, March 11: Happy Friday! Cast B for Once Upon a Mattress today. Time for me to shine! I was actually surprised how many complements I got as a knight last performance. I guess going up to the front during Spanish Panic helped, thanks Bradly! Wish me luck!

Brady's facebook message March 10th: Opening night for the play! And I could not have woken up to a better song on the radio this morning. The Black Eyed Pee's were telling me that they had a feeling that tonight was going to be a good night. Surely it must be a sign =)

Brady's facebook message March 9th: I don't think I got too much deep sleep last night. All I could think about was the play. I literally dreamed that I was practicing and practicing and practicing, and I also thought that everyone was in my bedroom rehearsing with me again. I probably woke up like 20 times last night, and got maybe 2 hours of deep sleep.

Brady's facebook message March 8th: o, I went to the store today to get paint for my hair, so I could be an exciting jester with cool colorful hair. As I was applying it to my hair I realized something... I'm a knight today, not a jester! Thank goodness I was only on the first color. I ran down to the shower to wash the paint out of my hair (took shower head down and bent over the tub.) I went to grab my shampoo and put the shower head down (being blond) and the shower head flipped over and started to spray me down with my pants on! Oh well, maybe some crazy adventure will happen to me tomorrow.

Brady's Facebook message March 9th: If there was a play next year, I don't think I would participate in it. IT IS WAY TO TIME CONSUMING! I've never struggled to keep up my grades this hard in my life. Aside from the time spend at play rehearsals, I honestly blame it on Honors English. My friends told me that it's an easy class, it's full of smart people, and it's really easy to maintain an A. I switch out of my regular English  class to find that the friends lied to me!

Well, technically I guess they didn't lie, it just happened to be easy until second semester when I switched in. Here are some reasons why I didn't want to be in Honors English: 1) To much work, 2) Lots of reading, 3)Advanced curriculum. My friends told me that Honors English was this: 1) No work what-so-ever (Danielle said, "In English, we sit there and do nothing"  2) In class reading 3) Same curriculum. I switch into Honors English and found this: 1) To much work 2) Lots of reading 3) Advanced curriculum.

My past life previous to the play has been along the lines of: Get home, eat, do homework, play games all day, maybe practice the piano, and sleep. Now it's: Play practice, get home, eat, do homework all day, maybe stay up late to do homework, want to go on strike because I'm so stressed, realize I can't do previous one because I don't have time - making me more stressed, and then sleep.

On a scale of 0-10, 0 being not stressed, 1 being a little stressed, 10 being angry tantrum, screaming in pillows and crying, my days usually go at a rate of 0-2. Now that all of my free time is consumed by play practice, and since Honors English being easy is a blunt lie, I'm more stressed then ever, averaging a 5-7 (3 on days I don't have English Homework). Last night, play practice started real late, and ended real late. I was all over play practice that I had no time to unwind. All I could think about was the play. I dreamed that I was back in the auditorium doing a dress rehearsal. I would wake up, be half conscious of my surroundings, and think that play practice was taking place in my bedroom, then I would go back to sleep to do some more dress rehearsal dreaming. I probably woke up 20 times last night and only made in about 2 hours of deep sleeping when I usually get about 8 hours.

Here is how my day is going so far (SL = Stress level): Woke up after restless night (SL@ 4) Saw Danielle working on an assignment I was supposed to get but didn't get (SL@ 8) Said something right after that that my friends disproved of (SL@ 8.5) Went to seminary (SL@ 2) Went to an NHS meeting (SL@ 4) Went to play practice - trying to read my book (SL@ 7.5) Came home (SL@ 9) Ate dinner (SL@ 5) Finished math homework (SL@ 4) Started Great Gatsby Ch3 (SL@ 6) Finished Ch3 (SL@ 5) mental note that I'm not done with all my English homework: (SL@ 7) Publishing this (SL@ 6 going down to about 3).

This is probably one of the most stressful days I've had while I was at home in the past 2 years. (When I travel, my stress level goes up.) I am so ready for this play to be over with! I want my no life back!

Due to budget cuts, there will not be a play next year, but if there was, I would only be attending, I would not be participating, mainly because I am selling my soul to high school. I think I'll be a lot more stressed next year with the following classes anyway: AP English, AP Calculus, AP Statistics, AP Microeconomics. I could have sworn there was one more... ... ... I guess not. But yea, 2 AP math classes, a nightmarish English class, and an AP class where I don't eve know how it's going to turn out.

...*Sigh* I think I need a hug... Guess I'll have to suck it up and hug my Great Gatsby book like my grade depends upon it - because it does. Oh well, when I saw that I was reading 2 chapters with my short schedule and had to do papers on both chapters, I told everyone that I was going to cry myself to sleep tonight... It wasn't that far off of a joke either, in fact, it might not even be a joke Ø_ø.

3/15/11 - (Full Press Conference) Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Gives Update on Church in Japan

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles told reporters in a news conference Tuesday that the Church has committed substantial financial aid to Japan and that Church missionaries will be moved out of affected areas.

I am thankful for a living Prophet and Apostles who lead and guide us in these Latter-Days. The organization in our church is wonderful, with wonderful people who want to help ease suffering through out the world. It's nice to know that the church is the same in Idaho as it is in Japan with loving Bishops and Relief Society Presidents. I'm thankful for my membership in the Lords church upon the earth today.

I love Elder Holland! He is such a wonderful man. I can't wait for General Conference in a couple of weeks to hear these great men.

I am also thankful that all the missionaries are safe.

Freezer Meals

I've been intrigued by freezer meals for a while now. Especially since it allows me to be frugal when I make a meal for only 2 people. I try to freeze what I can for a later meal instead of having it every night of the week as a leftover. Plus, it is a time saver to pull a meal out of the freezer on a busy day - instead of fast food or a pizza. 

One of my friends is in the Relief Society Presidency and one day we were talking about how busy she was and how many sisters were in need of help.

In this economy it has been quite a toll on many people to help bring in meals for any length of times - especially when so many are in need.

She also talked about doing classes on freezer meals in her Relief Society meetings.

If you have a planned surgery or having a baby, you should plan accordingly and stock your freezer full of meals for your family. It's a different scenario of course for emergency illnesses. Somehow, we need to re-educate people to be self-reliant and pre-plan for when you are ill. Freezer meals are an excellent way to take care of your family when you are unable cook dinner - everyone should check it out. 

Freezer recipes from One Crazy Cookie here.

Freezer recipes from Mom's Budget here.  She also has basic information on Freezer Cooking here.

Here is a link to the Cream Cheese Chicken recipe.
Here is a link to my spaghetti sauce.

There are many great sites and ideas out in blog land. Here are just a few to help you plan to be self-reliant, save money and time at the same time. 

Here are a few recipies:

Honey Baked Pork Chops
 

Ingredients for Cooking Day:

6 boneless pork chops

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup cider vinegar

1/4 t. ground ginger

1 clove minced garlic

2 Tbsp. soy sauce
 

Directions for Cooking Day:  Place honey, vinegar, ginger, garlic and soy sauce in blender and mix well.  Place uncooked pork chops and honey mixture in a freezer bag and freeze.
 

Directions for Serving Day:   Thaw completely.  Place pork chops and honey mixture in a baking dish.  Bake for 350 degrees for 1 hour or until pork chops are cooked.  Turn pork chops occasionally while baking.

 

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Chicken Tetrazzini (Assemble after chicken is cooked)

Store in casserole dish

 

1 8 oz pkg spaghetti
2 to 4 c. cooked diced chicken

1 c. chopped onion
2 c. grated cheese

2 cans cream of chicken soup              
1 c. grated Parmesan cheese

3 Tbsp. butter to saute onions
1 c. sour cream
salt and pepper to taste

 

Cook the spaghetti.  Saute' the onions.  Mix ingredients together and freeze.  Thaw and cook 350 for 40 minutes, then uncover and bake 20 minutes more.
 

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Honey Baked Pork Chops
 

Ingredients for Cooking Day:

6 boneless pork chops

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup cider vinegar

1/4 t. ground ginger

1 clove minced garlic

2 Tbsp. soy sauce
 

Directions for Cooking Day:  Place honey, vinegar, ginger, garlic and soy sauce in blender and mix well.  Place uncooked pork chops and honey mixture in a freezer bag and freeze.
 

Directions for Serving Day:   Thaw completely.  Place pork chops and honey mixture in a baking dish.  Bake for 350 degrees for 1 hour or until pork chops are cooked.  Turn pork chops occasionally while baking.
 

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Lasagna (assemble after noodles cooked, beef cooked, and spaghetti sauce)

Store in casserole dish

 

1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef

1 onion, chopped

Spaghetti Sauce

12 dry lasagna noodles

2 eggs, beaten

1 pint part-skim ricotta cheese or blended cottage cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons dried parsley

1 teaspoon salt

1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

 

Brown hamburger. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add lasagna noodles, and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, or until al dente; drain. Lay noodles flat on towels, and blot dry. In a medium bowl, mix together eggs, ricotta, Parmesan cheese, parsley and 1 teaspoon salt. Layer 1/3 of the lasagna noodles in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover noodles with 1/2 ricotta mixture, 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese and 1/3 of the sauce.  Repeat. Top with remaining noodles and sauce. Sprinkle additional Parmesan

cheese over the top.  Freeze and then bake until heated through, about 1 to 1-1/2 hours.

 

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Easy Pizza Pasta Casserole    

Makes 1 large (9x13) casserole.  Serves 6-8 people.        

                                                                                             Ingredients For 6 Families

1 lbs ground beef                                                                                 6 lbs ground beef     

½  large onion, chopped                                                                     3 onions

½  clove garlic, minced                                                                       3 cloves garlic           

½   teas. Crushed Italian Seasoning                                                     3 teas. Crushed Italian Seasoning

1 TBSP. Olive Oil                                                                               6 TBSP  Olive Oil

1 (26 oz.) jar Spaghetti Sauce                                                               6 Jars Spaghetti Sauce (156 oz)

8 ounces rigatoni pasta, cooked and drained                                   48 ounces rigatoni               

2 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese                                              15 cups shredded mozzarella

4 ounces sliced pepperoni                                                                   24 ounces sliced pepperoni

Brown ground beef, onion, garlic and seasoning in oil. Drain. Stir in pasta, spaghetti sauce and 2 cups cheese. Place mixture in greased 9x13x2 inch baking pan. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella. Top with pepperoni. Cover and freeze up to 3 months. To cook now: Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, until heated through. To bake frozen casserole: Thaw in refrigerator overnight and bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes, till hot.

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Italian Chicken                                                                           

                                                                                                       Ingredients for 6 families

¾ c. Prepared Italian Salad Dressing                                                     4 ½ c. prepared Italian Salad Dressing

¼ c. Lemon Juice                                                                                1-½ c.  lemon juice

2 teas. Instant Chicken Bullion                                                           12 teaspoons Instant Chicken Bullion

¼ teas. Pepper                                                                                     1 ½ teaspoons pepper

1 teas. Italian Seasoning                                                                       6 teaspoons Italian seasoning

4-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts                                                 24-36 boneless/skinless chicken breasts 

       
Place chicken in a 9 x 13 pan.  Stir all ingredients together.  Pour over chicken.  Cover and bake 350 for 35-45 minutes.  

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Beefy Chicken Loaf   - Serves 6

Loaf Ingredients                                                                   Ingredients for 6 Loaves

1 egg                                                                                                     6 eggs

¼ cup milk                                                                   

 1 ½ cup milk

½ teas. seasoning salt                                                                         3 teaspoons seasoning salt

½ teas. pepper                                                                                    3 teaspoons pepper

1 TBLS Worcestershire sauce                                                            6 TBSP Worcestershire sauce

1 onion, finely chopped                                                                      6 onions, finely chopped

1 pound ground beef                                                                           6 pounds ground beef

½ pound ground chicken or ground turkey                                        3 pounds ground chicken or ground turkey

¾ cup rolled oats, not instant   (may be ground                                    4 ½ cups rolled oats, not instant

into crumbs by running through blender)

Sauce Ingredients                                                                           Ingredients for 6 families (Sauce)

¼ cup ketchup                                                                                     1 ½ cup ketchup

1 TBLS mustard                                                                                    6 TBLS mustard

1 TBLS brown sugar                                                                          6 TBLS brown sugar

1 teas. Worcestershire sauce                                                              6 teas. Worcestershire

½ teas. chili powder                                                                           3 teas. chili powder

Combine loaf ingredients together in a large bowl and mix well to ensure even blending. Pack into a loaf pan, or muffin tin for mini loaves. Mix sauce ingredients together and spread evenly over loaf. Bake uncovered for 60 minutes at 350 degrees. To freeze: wrap unbaked loaf well, label and freeze. To serve: defrost overnight and then bake as directed. Add 30-45 minutes baking time if baking from frozen.

Nuclear Fallout Map (hoax per Snopes)

A great site "Modern Survival Blog" to watch the nuclear risk information: 
Jet-stream information  

On going information regarding the nuclear fallout.


I have taken down the picture of the Nuclear Fallout map. I researched it after I received a comment by John. Snopes.com said this is not true information. You can read it here: 


I have been optimistic and tried not to worry. My goal is to always be prepared. I did not purchase Potassium Iodide pills and understand it is completely sold out. I will be watching and trying to understand risks from Japan or here. Bottom line is that I believe you need to prepare. 


Earthquakes can strike at anytime in the US, floods, tornados, hurricanes, economic challenges, and sickness. Prepare yourself with water storage, food storage, recipes, ways to cook without power. If you are prepared you will not fear.  
              *****************************************************
My heart has been heavy this weekend for Japan. What a terrible disaster. My prayers have been continual for everyone who lives there and for the rescue efforts.

This map was alarming to me and I had to share it. I am disappointed in lack of news coverage for this potential fallout. 10 days until we are effected!!

Read this article from Preparedness Pro and the comments. Good information. I hope you are prepared! Get water storage today. Fill containers and empty canning jars today! Water is the most important thing to have in an emergency. We can only live 3 days without water. Compared to 30 days without food. WATER STORAGE NOW!

I also have to say that the radiation does go down. As the map says: Red is 3000 RADS, Orange is 1500 RADS and Yellows is 750 RADS. I wonder what the risk is to radiation poisoning and cancer. Should we take the Potassium Iodide pills to have our thyroid block the cancer causing risk. I wish the news outlets would cover this map and give us warning.

I also wonder about gardening this summer. Will the ground be OK? Will it affect our water too? So many questions regarding our risk to the nuclear fallout.

Radiation Map Link:

Per The Wall Street Journal, the best protection in a fallout situation is to stay inside and wait for rescue teams. If fallout becomes a serious threat, it would be a good idea to be prepared to hunker down inside for several days. This means stocking food and water along with other essentials in case the situation escalates.

Once Upon A Mattress Play

Brady's play started this week. I was able to attend Thursday and Friday. I enjoyed both casts. Brady is a Knight in Cast A that started on Thursday and a Jester in Cast B on Friday. It was fun to see the different personalities of each team of actors. 

Here is Brady in his Jester outfit. 

These three are a team: The Minstrel  (Martin Pluim in both casts), Brady the Jester (Cast B) and King Sextimus (Cody Oneil in both casts). King Sextimus does not talk and he was a hoot. Cody did a great job. The Minstrel sings a lot of song and WOW! He has a GREAT voice. 

No flash photography and people who move around a lot - so it was difficult to get pictures that were not blurry. You can click on the pictures to get a larger view. I thought the set was wonderful for our poor little school. In this set the Wizard is interviewing a possible princess to marry Prince Dauntless. 

No one in the kingdom can get married until Prince Dauntless is married. However, Queen Aggravain is an overbearing mother and no one is good enough for her precious little boy. 

However, Lady Larken is Pregnant by Sir Harry and they need to find a Princess soon.

Sir Harry sets out over the mountains to the swamp land to find Princess Winnifred - or Fred for short. 

Princess Winnifred is so excited to find a Prince that she swims the moat to get there quicker. She is a hoot.

She is sitting on the stairs. 

Both Princess Winnifred were WONDERFUL!! Loved them! this is one is Kaitlin Ro. 

She is singing "Shy". 

And looking for the Prince. 

This song is "The Minstrel, The Jester, and I". Remember King Sextimus doesn't talk or sing - he uses his hands to say what he wants too. He is sooooo funny! Cody is awesome! 

More of the song - I loved hearing Brady sing.

King Sextimus knows that Lady Larken is pregnant and is trying to find a way for Princess Winnifred to pass his Wicked's wife test. 

 

The reason he can't talk is because a spell was cast on him until "the mouse devours the hawk".

Queen Aggravain (Victoria Plaster cast B) test for Princess Winnifred is on Sensitivity. A true Princess cannot sleep with a small pea under 20 down mattresses. 

Here they are waiting around the next morning to see if Princess Winnifred slept through the night. 

She didn't!! Yea!! Now everyone can get married. 

However, Queen Aggravain tried to wiggle her way out of letting her "little boy" marry. FINALLY Prince Dauntless puts his foot down and tells his mother to SHUT UP. 

The mouse devoured the hawk! The spell was broken!! Queen Aggravain became a mute and King Sextimus is able to speak.

Then the Jester goes and pulls out all sorts of things out of the mattresses. 

It was funny.

Finally Fred was able to sleep - but not until the tiny pea was removed. 

Prince Dauntless looking on to his soon to be wife with love as she slept. 

Here is Brady in his Knight costume. 

Cast A Queen Aggravain played by Brady's friend Danielle Miller. She was my favorite. She also was holding a Chiwawa lttle dog with a pleated collar around his neck. I loved that and was disappointed that the Queen in Cast B didn't hold the dog. 

Here is the cast wall in the entrance. 

Brady and Jason were messing around after the play. 

L@@k! Brady is taller then Jason. 

Such wonderful boys!

I'm a lucky Mom. 

I will be going to all three performances next week. My mom will be in town to attend with my sister Chris and me on Saturday. 

Brady has been really stressed out with all the time he's spent on practices and all the homework he has. He says he wouldn't want to be in a play again - especially with the load he is taking his Senior year. But, I think he just feels the pressure right now in the thick of things. When things settle back down, I'm sure he will be glad that he did it. 

Being involved when you are in High School makes it better then sitting on the side line. You make lasting friendships and memories. 

I'm proud of the little actor Brady is. I've enjoyed every minute of it.