Articles of Faith FHE

We got this wonderful Christmas gift from Adam's parents, a book of Family Home Evening lessons that teach the Articles of Faith. We are so excited to learn these as a family this year, and to help prepare Thomas for baptism. The kids are giddy because for every Article of Faith they memorize and recite to their Oma, they will get a little number charm to put on a key ring. We talked tonight about the importance of the Articles of Faith, of really knowing what we believe so that we can be spiritually prepared to answer questions that are asked of us and testify of the Savior. Destenee and Calvin already knew the first Article of Faith. Thomas is just learning to read, and he read it right off the paper, then practiced reciting it until he knew it. I sang the little song with Isabel, she loved that and learned some of it. We talked about Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, about their physical natures and their purpose and relationships. It is so beautiful to see their little eyes light up when they understand something about their God. They have such pure faith. I think this is going to be a wonderful year.

Hair Cuts

I just cut Adam and Calvin's hair tonight. I started cutting hair when Adam was just building his business and didn't have time during the day to get to the barber. I bought a $30 pair of clippers from Target. I had a husband that was willing for me to learn on him, and a mother-in-law to give me some tips. I started out slow, and learned more the more I practiced. As Calvin got older, he asked me to start scissor trimming his hair, rather than using the clippers so his hair could be a little longer. It took me a long time to get up the courage to do the girls' hair. It takes longer, and it's so more evident when I screw up. I've figured out how to do a little bob that looks pretty good. My little girls love their hair short. Now I cut everyone's hair. Thomas is like shearing a sheep, his hair is so fine. I'm the only one in our household that pays for a haircut. I figure at about $15 for a cheap haircut, I save between $30 and $75 a month, depending on how many need haircuts in one month, and I can do it when it's convenient for me, less appointments to keep! Don't be afraid to try. It's a good skill to have under your belt.

White Chili

This is a great recipe that is easily adaptable for food storage. So tasty, my dad got this recipe from a chili contest at his office. We made it for our Poinsetta Bowl party just before Christmas. Without the cream and sour cream, it's almost identical to Leticia's Chicken White Bean Soup, which I fell in love with a few years ago, and perfect for 3 month supply. Who says food storage can't be delicious? It's wonderful with or without the cream and sour cream, and much healthier without. This recipe fills my big crock pot, so you can scale it down if this is too much for your family. I think this is 3 times the original recipe. You have to try this!!

3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch cubes (or canned chicken)
3 medium onions, chopped (or dehydrated onions)
4 tsps garlic powder (or fresh garlic, if you have it)
3 tbsp oil
6 cans (14 oz) great northern beans, rinsed and drained
3 cans chicken broth (14 oz)
3 cans chopped green chiles
3 tsp salt
3 tsp ground cumin
3 tsp dried oregano
1 1/2 tsp pepper
3/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cup whipping cream (or half and half)

In a large pot, saute' chicken, onion and garlic powder in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add beans, broth, chiles, and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in sour cream and wipping cream just before serving.

Mortgage Rates!

There is a way to glean something good from our crazy economy. Mortgage rates are so low right now, fixed 30 year rates are around 5%. But you have to be smart about how you choose to take advantage of this. By only refinancing what you currently owe on your house (leaving your equity in tact) you can reduce your house payment by reducing your interest paid. Adam figured that if we refinanced and kept paying our current house payment for the next six years, and then at that time paid an additonal $150 per month, we would have the house paid off in 15 years. If you just need a smaller house payment, refinancing would be great too. Each person's situation is different, and you'd have to check it out for yourself. Beware of cashing out your equity, it will only lead to more debt. Talk to your mortgage broker and see if this is a good deal for you.

Sarah's Caserole

Sarah made dinner for us last Sunday. It was so nice to come home to a hot dinner! I'm thinking this is adaptable to a 3 month storage shelf meal. Let me know what you think.

1.5 lb ground beef
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 (12 oz) can of corn niblets, drained
1 cup sour cream
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
4 cups cooked small pasta shells
1 (3 oz) can of chow mein noodles, sprinkle on to your liking

Brown ground beef, drain. Combine all ingredients except chow mein noodles. Place in a 9x13 baking dish and top with chow mein noodles.

Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees. This recipe freezes well if you don't put the chow mein noodles on until you bake it.

Chili Spaghetti

I am working on putting together recipes for our three month supply. This is one I adapted and tried out on my family tonight. We love spaghetti, and we've eaten chili over spaghetti noodles for years. So I created something shelf-able but adaptable to using various ingredients from my food storage. If I were without the advantage of ground beef for the sauce, the canned chili provides the protein that would be missing otherwise. My family loved it. Adam put shredded cheddar on his spaghetti, everyone else used parmesan. This is obviously very easy, and a huge amount. This will provide leftovers for tomorrow for my family of seven. You can scale this down for your family, or use other ingredients such as homemade sauce, canned or dried beans, canned beef, etc. This way was very good, though. I'll post the spreadsheet I'm making for my three month supply as soon as I can.

One 40 oz can Nally Chili
Two 26.5 oz cans Del Monte Pasta Sauce
One 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes
Two lbs. spaghetti noodles

I combined the first three ingredients in my crockpot and cooked on high for two hours, and cooked the pasta as directed.