Merry Christmas!

There is something special about celebrating the birth of the Savior along with people all over the world.

It's probably very apparent from the lack of posting that I've been very busy this holiday season. Mostly the lack of posting comes from lack of knowing what's going on! I didn't realize it until just the other day, but I didn't get to attend our own ward at all in November! That's just about long enough to make you feel out of the loop. However I do have some Enrichment Committee insider information on some things to look forward to...

• Keep your eyes out this Sunday for announcements about our super exciting Enrichment Activity coming up in January. It is going to be FUN!! (All caps intended.)
• In 2009 there will be TWO new Enrichment groups announced!
• Also in 2009 the Get Moving Group will be resurrected! If you're interested in getting moving, please let me know how you like to move and the times/days that would work best for you to move. Email me. Camille. bootstothemoon@gmail.com
• Also in 2009 we will begin work on the Stake Road Show Film Festival. If you're thinking, hey wasn't that supposed to be in November? Yes. It was, but it was quickly rescheduled because it just wasn't enough time to make a short film. The new date has yet to be announced, but they were thinking Spring so we think January will be a good month to get to work :)
  

Also, we're spending the Christmas and New Year celebration with Micah's family in Sparks, NV so I'll continue to be out of the loop just a little while longer. If there is anything that you would like to share on the blog, please please please let me know! bootstothemoon@gmail.com

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Playgroup Tuesday, December 16

Playgroup will be at Caroline Shillig's (1680 Woodland drive Bldg 7) tomorrow at 10am.
She says, "Sorry it is once again at my house and at the same time...
Maybe after the holidays we can spice it up a bit :)
We look forward to seeing y'all here!"

Playgroup on Friday

Friday, December 12
Kid's Gift Exchange @ Caroline Shillig's house (1680 Woodland Drive Bldg 7)
@10AM
Please bring a small gift (no more than $5 in value, let Caroline know via email or phone if you are unable to do so and we will make it possible for your children to participate), and if you'd like a snack/treat to share, to my home for a fun filled time of food and presents!

Goodness from Rachel Hiatt

Sorry it's been a while since there have been any posts. I've been in and out of town and I guess the combination of business and feeling out of touch with our Relief Society has led to less posting. Hopefully these recipes will make up for it.

Rachel Hiatt has shared her crock pot oatmeal and granola recipes. She gave me the original recipes that inspired her versions and then her version as well. She said that she never really fully follows a recipe and it must be working because she's gotten so many requests for the recipes. Here they are.

“Set for Life” Granola
4 c. old-fashioned oats
2 c. rolled wheat
1 c. oat or wheat bran
1 c. whole wheat flour
½ c. dry milk
½ ts. salt
½ to 1 c. sunflower seeds
1 to 2 c. slivered almonds
12 oz. can frozen apple juice concentrate, thawed
1 ts. vanilla
2 c. dried fruit, chopped

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Mix apple juice concentrate and vanilla. Pour over dry ingredients and stir until well mixed. Spread mixture on large baking sheet in a thin layer. Bake in a 200* oven until golden and almost dry, about 1 ½ to 2 hours. For chunky granola, don’t stir while baking. Break into bite size pieces and add dried fruit. Store in an airtight container.

Rachel’s Granola
6 c. oats or 6-grain cereal or combination of both
1 c. flour or bran
½ c. dry milk
½ ts. salt
12 oz. can frozen apple-raspberry juice concentrate, thawed
1 tb. vanilla
Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Mix apple juice concentrate and vanilla. Pour over dry ingredients and stir until well mixed. Spread mixture on large baking sheet in a thin layer. Bake in a 200* oven until golden and almost dry, about 1 ½ to 2 hours. Generally it isn’t chunky, even if you don’t stir. I am thinking about adding ½ c. honey to the juice to see if that would make it chunky.
I add dried or fresh fruit to my bowl of granola, then I can choose what kind of fruit I want.

Overnight Oatmeal (Alton Brown)
1 c. steel cut oats
1 c. dried cranberries
1 c. dried figs
4 c. water
½ c. half and half
Combine ingredients in crockpot and set to low heat. Let cook for 8-9 hours.

Rachel’s Crockpot Oatmeal
½ c. steel cut oats or 9-grain cereal
1 ½ c. water
3 tbs. milk
2 tbs. cream or half and half
Combine ingredients in crockpot and set to low heat. Let cook for 7-8 hours. You can increase or decrease the liquids to make it thicker or thinner as you like. I confess, I just pour in a little milk and then add a little less in cream. Adding dried fruit means adding more liquid as well. Usually there is a film on the surface that I stir in as soon as I get up and it’s mostly gone by the time we eat.

Why didn't I think of that?

Jolly Snowman Faces from BettyCrocker.com

I love finding things like this that are refreshingly cute and truly simple. It looks like they used those licorice strings for the band of the ear muffs and lifesavers for the muff of the ear muffs, but I don't see why you couldn't do the whole thing out of frosting if that's all you had at home.

This is my mom's rolled sugar cookie recipe. Recently I found the exact same recipe somewhere online titled "The last sugar cookie dough recipe you will ever need." I agree completely.

In bowl add:
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups butter

Cream ingredients well. Add:
5 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

Chill for at least an hour before rolling. Roll at least a 1/4 of an inch thick. Do not brown cookies.

Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

A Night in Bethlehem

Nativity by local artist, J. Kirk Richards

I hope I wasn't the only one who got a knock on my door from a genuine Roman announcing our ward's Christmas party! In case you did miss it, here is the information:

Decree
By order of his Royal Majesty, the Emperor, it is decreed that all the world is to be counted and taxed.
Therefore, let each person and family come for "A Night in Bethlehem" to be taxed according to the law.
Donkeys must be ties on the north side of the building and enter through t he proper gate.
Everyone dress (if you wish) in "Biblical" attire to enter the city.
Bring a blanket for your family to rest on from their long journey, you may find that the Inn is full.
Each family will be assessed taxes. Your taxes will be canned goods (be generous).
A light supper will be available in the open market.
All taxing will take place on the date, time and place shown below. Those found disobeying the law to appear, will be sentenced to a holiday season without the true spirit of Christmas.
So let it be written. So let it be done.
Caesar Augustus

Date: 13 December 2008
Time" 6:00 PM Sharp
Place: The program will start in the Chapel. (Please sit as families)

REINDEER SHIRT PLAYGROUP

Today Monday, December 1
REINDEER SHIRTS
We will be making shirts so please bring a white shirt/onesie for your child. We're meeting
at Caroline's house (1680 Woodland Drive Bldg #7) at 10:00AM