$40 Christmas Tree Tutorial

Basic Tree Design:

1. Prep all decorations prior to setting the tree up. Sort by colour and size.

2. Set the tree up in the place you want it be, rotate to fine the best "front" view. Secure to the wall with fishing line if needed to stabilize.

3. String lights to every limb if it is not pre-lit, plug in so lights are on during decorating.

4. If you are adding garland, beading, or long draped fabric or ribbons, add them now. With horizontal designs work from bottom to top, dividing the circumference of the tree into 6ths or 8ths. This will help you visually drape your beads, etc., evenly. Stand back every now and then so you can make sure the drape is also level. With vertical or diagonal designs work the tree from top to bottom, again, standing back often to make sure your design is how you want it.

5. Large floral arraignments should be added now. Most large "one focus" design your design will look best in the top 2/3rds of the tree. Crescent, and "S" shapes work very nicely, with the bulk of your materials in the center of both those designs, tapering towards the ends.

6. You're going to begin by adding the largest ornaments first, then work down to the smallest. Add ornaments either very balanced, or in specific groupings. If you are using bows of large floral as ornaments, this is the time to add them.

7. Stand back and observe how the tree is coming along. Look for holes or crowding. Rearrange if necessary.

8. Fill in with small ornaments.

9. Add final bows or tinsel.

10. Top tree with spire, angel, star or other ornamentation.

Last minute Halloween Goodness!

This is Halloween!
Originally uploaded by S'mee.

These two tutorials are a repeat from 2005, however they are pretty fun so here we go!

O.k. So this is the first run of cupcakes! I wasn't prepared for the decorations with special candies or frostings, but went ahead and came up with these little beauties with what we had on hand:

Dunked in Jelly Bellies, You're Bugging Me!, Spike, & Don't Forget to Floss.

Jack Skelington, Oogie Boogie, Sally, & Stock

High Anxiety, Buck, I only have eyes for you, & Miss Spider.

All cupcakes were chocolate with vanilla or chocolate frostings. I used Mega M&Ms, tiny M&Ms, Jelly Bellies, Life Savers, Sour Patch Strips, Green Apple Gum, Eclipse Gum, Jolly Rancher Rocks, and black Jimmies.

Frosting was applied via a zip lock bag snipped at one corner or with a butter knife. I also used a bamboo skewer to aid in the placement of many Jimmies! I am sure when I actually get out the cake gear and use the pro stuff they will come out even better. In the mean time, we're eatin' cupcakes for dessert tonight!

To view cupcake details more closely, click on the photo above. This will take you to my photo page at Flicker! Find the photo stream st the top right of the page and click the "next" photo, it should be titled: "I'm ready for my close up!" double click. It will come up full screen and with much better detail.

For an older tutorial on making CHEAP and easy tombstones click: Tombstones. Scroll down to the tombstone photos and follow the instruction beginning with "a" and finishing up with "g".

"Fred's Dead, Baby"
Originally uploaded by S'mee.

In the "spirit" of Halloween, I spent the afternoon in quiet solitude and carved up some fun! The undertaking? Tombstones!

This is the first of the new tombstones for this year. (2005) This one is 24" wide by 16" high and is made from 1" thick foam board insulation that comes in a variety of sizes. I chose the 4'x8' sheets. About $12.00 out the door and into the minivan.

tombstone tutorial
Originally uploaded by S'mee.

If you are like S'mee, you will need to have the guys on the floor cut it into 2 pieces for you (so it can fit in your vehicle). As you can see in the photo, there are indeed "lines" that one could follow -if they wished to do so- the guys I was working with at the time were less than cooperative and decided to "freehand" it on the totally white side without marks and guidelines. UGH! and GRRR!

Make sure you stress the first cut along the lines, otherwise, like S'mee, you will lose one inch, or more, when they cut it diagonally. again UGH!

O.k. so click on that Flickr! link and get started, seriously, if you work in assembly line fashion, this only takes a few hours and you can whip out an entire graveyard!

emergency preparedness how to

Tutorial Tuesdays! Being Prepared

Hitting close to home, disasters that occur miles away can and will make our own lives and comforts displaced. In order for our family to feel secure, safe, and self reliant we need to become prepared.

Insurance companies can and will 'put you up' in a motel for an average of three weeks. (If your home burnt down would it be rebuilt in three weeks?) Not the four seasons, a motel... the cheapest motel they can find in your area, meaning within a half hour of your home. After three weeks it gets sketchy. FEMA; well just think Katrina and understand that they too try hard, but fall short of being a real help to 99% of people in a disaster. Recent studies tell us that scientists, fire fighters, and government agencies believe that 99% of major earthquake victims will be doctoring/rescuing each other rather than official agencies do to their limited resources. Do you know how to rescue yourself and others?

The following is a 12 week program that can help us begin to store and build a 72 hour emergency kit for each member of our family. Thor and I were able to gather all these supplies (and even more!) with little or no money, just squirreling away items we were able to find in the house already and setting them aside. (at the very bottom of the page is a list of items for a very BASIC 72 hour survival kit in a #10 can... think survival kit.)

We each used a back pack, and then combined some items in a new large paint barrel with a sealed lid that we purchased for $3.00 from our local paint store. In addition to these 72 hour kits, we also made minimal basic 72 hour kits in a #10 can to be stored in the car and office in case there is a situation that causes us to live in on of those for a few days.

Twelve weeks to a full kit:

Week 1: BACKPACK - a duffel bag, rolling suitcase, bucket, whatever! Some form of storage for each member of the family.

Week 2: WATER: One gallon per person per day, plus water purification tablets. (think about the water in Louisiana after Katrina, plenty of water, just none you want to drink - also make sure to calculate and provide enough formula and water for the baby and or pets)

Week 3: FOOD & MESS KIT: Cereal, peanut butter, oatmeal, dry soup mixes, MREs, jam, juices, fruit cups, energy bars, dried fruit, nut crackers, PLUS a mess kit or utensils to cook with, manual can opener, ziploc bags. (Again, remember the baby/pets/special diets and provide whatever those may require.)

You should store with meals in mind, however, BASIC meals for survival, not 'company/sit down' feasts. Store extra water if you are storing meals that need water in a recipe, such as soup. Store only those things you currently eat. If you don't eat MREs on a weekly basis don't store them. Also if you can find canned goods with the pop tops, that illuminates the need for can openers.

Week 4: FIRST AID KIT: alcohol, wipes, band aids, neosporin, moleskin, tweezers, nail clippers, medications, Rx meds. if you can, flashlight with batteries, sunscreen, bug repellent, sunglasses, etc. (Talk with your health care provider about storing one prescription ahead and rotate that out so that you always have a fresh dose. Special needs diets also will need consideration. Are there appropriate substitutes that you can store for an immergency?)

Week 5: CLOTHES & COMFORTS: 2-3 socks, underwear, change of clothes, t-shirt, pants, windbreaker, hat , sturdy shoes, (Thor and I packed all these plus sweat pants/shirt for layering. I put in our old used shoes that were still in good condition. They're broke in already and won't cause blisters.) , Comfort items: Scriptures, books, games, favorite toys, paper, pens/pencils/ crayons, music, etc. (um, I packed M&Ms and tootsie pops!)

Week 6: SNACKS: Cookies, crackers, hot cocoa, gum, hard candy, granola bars, fruit snacks. (maybe cheerios or other baby snacks)

Week 7: PERSONAL SANITATION: Soap, toothbrush, wash cloth, comb, hand towel, mirror, feminine products, toilet paper, hand wipes, shampoo, lotion, razors (I think if you have a baby you may want diapers and trash bags to keep the soiled ones in.)

Week 8: TOOLS: gloves, crescent wrench, ax, shovel, 1/2in coil rope, hammer, pliers, screw drivers, duct tape, pocket knife, sewing kit, etc. (Thor and I also have the instructions for shutting off the utilities..he may know, I may know, but whoever else is there may need the info., also a scout handbook comes in handy! Small camp tools are great and much easier to store than regular sized tools. Don't stress, just do what you can.)

Week 9: PERSONAL ITEMS: Copies of important papers (download to a thumb/zip drive), including i.d. cards, insurance papers, birth certs. passports, photos of the family, phone numbers, cd. of genealogy. You will also want cash in coin and bills (at least $20.00, but having as much as $500.00 will make you feel much more secure. No ATM machines? You'll need bills under twenty, and coin change.), a cd player with batteries or tape player. (a few years ago I video taped each room in the house, garage, and shed for insurance purposes. I opened closets, drawers and doors, to expose exactly what would need to be replaced in case of fire etc. I put that on a dvd and keep it with the kit. Keep your laptop charged and ready to go every night if you have to run out without notice.)

Week 10: WARMTH & SHELTER: waterproof matches (you can make your own by dipping regular wood matched into melted wax and allowing them to dry), tent/tarp (a plastic shower curtain can even be used as a ground cover), emergency reflective blanket (you can get these at camping stores), wool blanket/sleeping bag, poncho camp stove, fuel, pan/spoon, industrial strength garbage bags (these can be used as ponchos, potties, trash, or insulation among other uses. ) Buddy burners. (Odd to think about, however a fresh unused cotton tampon is a great fire starter; wrapped, small, contained and flamable!)

Week 11: COMMUNICATION: battery operated radio, whistle, maps (gps if you have one, and also a permanent black marker. This is creepy, but writing your ssi# name and other info on your arm is a good idea for i.d.-ing in the event of disorientation, being lost, or even death. Write this info on the backs of small children, just below their neck.)

Week 12: PET SUPPLIES: food, water, feeding bowls, leash, etc.

Like I said, most of these items we were able to just pick out of the cupboards. Others we had to go out and purchase. I decided not to take the entire 12 weeks to compile all of this stuff, but just get it over with! Even at that, it took a couple of days. So prepare!

Below are several websites that dedicate themselves to helping us prepare and get self reliant. PLEASE check them out and find out what is best for you and your family.

Provident Living The church website with great ideas and information.

Get Prepared The Red Cross website.

Plan Ahead The FEMA website, that yes, they weren't as prepared as they could have been during the whole Katrina disaster, however, they DO have great information that YOU can prepare with.

Project Noah This is a website developed to help a family prepare and store a year of supplies for under $5.00 a week over a years time. If you begin now, by next year this time you will have a YEAR of supplies!

BASIC SURVIVAL 72 HOUR KIT IN A #10 can FOR ONE PERSON:

Prepared items that can be stored in a #10 aluminum can, sealed, and set aside in a car or office, etc.. The items would provide sufficient nutrients and calories to sustain life over a three day period, minus fresh water. Sorry, couldn't find a way to get enough water in that can. All in all the items were gathered, and for $8.00, one could have a minimal survival kit of food. We're not talking luxury dining, but the very basic necessary for survival.

You can use a large coffee can, or any #10 can with a rubber or plastic lid. You can use packing tape to seal the seam and it should be "safe", if not the most fresh without a professional form of sealing.

Here's a list of what went inside:

Day one:
Morning: 1 hot cocoa, 1 bag of trail mix
Noon: 1 small can of tuna, 1 apple sauce
Evening: 1 granola bar, 1 cracker snack pack
Snack as needed: 3-5 pieces of hard candy

Day two:
Morning: 1 instant oatmeal, 1 apple cider drink
Noon: 1 dry fruit roll, 1 can Vienna sausages, 1 lemonade drink
Night: 1 granola bar, 1 beef jerky log
Snack as needed: 3-5 pieces of hard candy

Day three:
Morning: 1 bag of trail mix, 1 hot cocoa
Noon: 1 cracker snack pack, 1 nut mix pack, 1 beef jerky roll
Evening: 1 granola bar, 1 apple sauce
Snack as needed: 3-5 pieces of hard candy.

This menu requires four cups of water, and provides vitamin C, fiber, carbs, fats, and sugars. We also strongly urged the families to have water stored, enough for each family member's daily requirements.

We also suggested adding a pack of chewing gum to the outside of the can for tiding hunger pangs. We secured a small can opener to the top of the can, and added the menu and expiration dates of food items on the side of the can.

Holiday Chair Scarf Tutorial

Here's the drill for today:

2 yards of 56 inch wide material, preferably to match your holiday table.
matching thread
sewing machine
scissors
measuring tools (stick or tape)

This make four (4) chair scarves

You will be straight seam sewing, beginning and ending each seam with a back stitch. A back stitch is made by starting the machine slowly, making a few stitches and then using the reverse button on your machine going directly back over those same stitches, stopping at the end and then sewing forward, again directly over those same stitches. This secures the thread and keep your seam from unraveling.

There are two ways to do this:
Option one:
Cut four strips of fabric into 14 inches wide by 72 inches in length. set aside.
Option two:
Fold the fabric lengthwise in half, cut on the fold. You now have two 28 inch wide pieces by 72 inches long. Fold those two pieces of fabric in half lengthwise again, and again cut on the fold which will give you four pieces of fabric, each measuring 14 inches wide by 72 inches long. set them aside.

Step One: Sewing
Fold each single piece lengthwise, right sides together, matching edges. Pin if it makes you feel more efficient. Do this with each piece of fabric.

Beginning at the corner, ( remember to backstitch as you start and finish each seam) start at the folded edge and sew a straight seam towards the opposite corner, the corner with the raw edge. Stop before you go all the way to the edge, making your stopping point equal to the size of your seam. (you should be equally as far from each edge) Slowly rotate the hand wheel of your machine to drop the needle half way into the fabric and then stop.

Lift the presser foot, then turn and rotate the fabric to allow you to sew down the length of the fabric. Lower the pressure foot and begin sewing again. Sew down the edge to just about the half way mark. Don't panic if you are short or longer form the middle, just make sure you have plenty of length on either end when you stop sewing. Back stitch.

Leave a space in the middle of the edge large enough to put your fist through, about seven inches or so.

Back stitch and then sew to the corner. Do the same procedure you did before to turn the corner easily and sew to the last corner. Back stitch.

Repeat with each of your four scarves.

Step Two: Turning the fabric.

Now that you have finished all the sewing, place your entire hand in the open part of the seam. Grab the end of the fabric and pull it through, turning the fabric inside out and right side out. Use your fingers to pull out the tight corners of the corners and make them as square as possible.

Repeat with each scarf.

Step Three: Ironing
Carefully steam iron the scarf flat. Pay special attention to the corners. When you iron over the open seam, use the iron to make the seam turn in as if it were sewn, making the seam allowance the same width as your sewn seams. Steam press.

Step Four: Back to Sewing.

Go back to the machine and, remembering to backstitch beginning and ending, sew as close to the edge as you can while closing the opening. You will be sewing on the right side of the fabric. The closer to the edge you can make that seam the less visible it will be and the more secure.

Step Five: Square Knot

A square knot is made by wrapping the scarf around the inside of the chair, near the seat, at the base of the back. Take the left part of the scarf and wrap it over and through the right side of the scarf, pulling tight at the center back of the chair. Take the right end of the scarf and go over and through the left end of the scarf and pull the square knot tight. Fuss with it a bit to make sure all the edges are like you want them and make it pretty.

Remember the old saying for a square knot: Left over right, right over left. That's just about it!

Christmas Mice part 1

Every year the our Stake* holds a special Christmas Dinner and program for our Adult Singles. Last year our responsibility in this event was to decorate, prepare entertainment and a special take home favour. This year we are in charge of the dinner and favours. As part of the favour I suggested something I make every year for my Father- in- Law... Christmas Mice!
This is your ingredient plate: Hershey Kisses, unwrapped, slivered almonds or halved peanuts, Maraschino cherries with the stems- patted as dry as possible, semi-sweet chocolate chips, tiny white nonpareils. You will also need a glass microwave dish, spoon, toothpick, and parchment paper.
Gently squish the fruit so that the liquid is released and pat the cherry dry, set aside on a towel while you melt the chocolate chips. Put a small bag of chips in a glass bowl and microwave on medium for 25 second intervals, stirring in between to smooth, being careful to not burn or scorch the chocolate.
Grab the cherry stem and dip the fruit into the melted chocolate to cover. Make sure the entire fruit is covered and the tiniest bit of the stem at the base.
Set the dipped cherry on it's side on top of parchment paper, making sure the stem is as parallel to the table as possible. This is the mouse "tail", and the cherry the mouse body.
(part 2 is in the next post. this page may be on the next page in the blog)

part 2

While the chocolate is still wet, add the flat side of the kiss to the cherry and make a mouse "head".
Slip two slivered almonds into the wet chocolate between the kiss and the cherry making mouse "ears". You can also use a peanut half. If you choose to use peanuts, place the peanut with the flat side towards the front of the mouse, rounded part to the back.
Using a toothpick add two tiny drops of wet chocolate to the kiss where you want "eyes".
Add the white nonpareils to the wet chocolate drops and there you go! Isn't he cute? Allow them to set on the counter (during the late fall this is actually possible!) or slide them carefully into the fridge to set. Carefully peel them from the parchment paper and give them to the sweet people in your life!

*"Stake" In our church there are 9-12 or so congregations in a regional area, we call this region a "Stake" as in the "stake" that secured the temple tent to the ground in the Old Testament. Each congregation has approximately 600-900 people. We expect to serve approximately 180 single adults aged 32 +; the majority being in their late 60s and older.

Project Noah: A once a week, year plan for Food Storage

Someone in our ward (congregation) did a little 'on line' search and found "Project Noah", a year long plan designed to help families start a storage program and not become overwhelmed with it. This is supposed to be about $5.00 per week, very manageable, and fairly painless! I went to ASK and got this web page, I am assuming it is the same program our ward is participating in. Since its inception, the price of groceries has gone up considerable, so I am thinking this $5.00 per week may be higher now. However it will just keep getting higher and higher, so we might as well get started on the list as soon as possible. Some of the following material has been repeated in several places. Please excuse any foibles and understand this isn't a professional site, just folks helping folks.

Project Noah

Provident Living is another great resource to get free reliable information on self reliance and preparedness.

This is a year long food storage and emergency preparedness program. It is designed to help you set and obtain goals in the area of family preparedness and self reliance. This is a suggested food and emergency kit schedule for one year --- starting with basic supply then emergency and finally expanded basic food supply (as given in Essentials of Home Production and Storage). If you follow it you will have one month's supply for 1-2 people. If you do not like an item on the list feel free to substitute. You can double, triple, or half the purchases according to your families needs, and your finances. There is also a weekly to do list to remind you of things to check around your home. Approximate cost is $5.00 per week.

Week 1: At least 7 gallons of water. Hint: Water storage may be in plastic bottles, to which bleach may be added if the purity of the water is in question. (generally l/2 tsp per five gallons if water is clear or 1. tsp. per five gallons if water is cloudy.) In case of emergency, the water in water beds, water heaters, toilet tanks, and cisterns may be purified and used.

Week 2: 15 Pounds of good wheat. 'Hint: People who have small homes with limited storage space should prepare the best they can for emergencies. Basic food items often can be stored in rather limited space. Closets, attics, and space under beds can be used S'mee's suggestion: We used a large lawn and leaf trash can (new) that had wheels . After filling, turn the lid upside down and cover the lid with a very stiff piece of cardboard or thin wood cut to cover the shape of the lid. Cover that with a table clothe that goes to the floor. You can use this as a tall side table near the door.

It is wiser to have food storage sufficient for only a few weeks or months than to have no storage at all.

Week 3: 1 large box or ten envelopes of instant milk: Hint: Make sure you have, enough bedding to keep each person warm if there were no other heating supplies.

Week 4: 10 pounds Rice. Hint: Check that you have sufficient clothing (that fits) for one year (or fabric and necessities for sewing clothing).

Week 5: 4 pounds Sugar. Hint: S'mee's suggestion: It never hurt anyone to store their favorite goody. Battery operated video game, crossword puzzle, etc. Nice hard candy or m&ms, a good book, some colouring books and fresh crayons to keep little ones happy, you get the idea.

Week 6: 1 large jar of honey. Hint: Double check flashlight and battery supply.

Week 7: 8 ounces of Salt. Hint: Evaluate family preparedness, set goals for the coming year and seek to obtain them.

Week 8: One bottle of vegetable oil or one can of shortening. Hint: Double check emergency supplies for baby, are diapers and clothing going to fit? Formula? (even nursing moms should make sure there is formula available),

Week 9: 5 pounds legumes (beans & peas). Hint: Have backyard camp out to practice emergency skills. (good opportunity to check out warm bedding).

Week 10: Coal, wood, briquettes, propane, matches, candles for cooking and light. Hint: Make buddy burner. Cut strips of corrugated paper in 1 ½ in widths. Roll each strip tightly and fit in a tuna fish can. Pour melted paraffin wax in the can so that it soaks the paper and fills the remaining space. Each can will burn for 1 ½ to 2 hours!

Week 11: Dish Soap. Hint: Store extra prescription medication with the words "Emergency use only"

Week 12: 2 bars of body soap per person. Hint: If you have a fireplace double-check to make sure flue is clear and the fireplace is clean and can be used without danger. S'mee's suggestion: A fireplace is no use without fuel, store some wood.

Week 13: 1 gallon bleach. Hint: Learn how to "Protect your Home against Fire,".

Week 14: Bandages. Hint: Make sure you have emergency provisions for pets. Standard First Aid Supplies: adhesive tape, ammonia, antibiotic ointment, bicarbonate of soda, calamine lotion, diarrhea remedy, elastic bandages, gauze bandages, hot water bottle, hydrogen peroxide, ipecac syrup (induces vomiting), knife, matches, measuring cup, medicine dropper, needles, paper bags, razor blades, rubbing alcohol, safety pins, scissors, soap, thermometer, triangular bandages, tweezers, first aid book, prescription medications, consecrated oil. First aid kits and supplies should be checked and replenished regularly. All supplies should be labeled and organized for fast use.

Week 15: First aid cream and tape, cotton balls and ace bandage. Hint: An important emergency precaution is to have tetanus immunizations up to date - at least every 10 years.

Week 16: Year supply of garden seeds rich in Vitamin A&C appropriate for area (no hybrid). Hint: Every yard has space for a garden. Part of the lawn, play area, or flower garden may be converted to a garden. Vegetables may be grown in window boxes or pots. Plant the garden where it will receive at least 4 - 6 hours of direct sunshine each day. The soil should drain well, and an adequate source of water should be available.

Week 17: Hydrogen peroxide and alcohol. Hint: Learn First Aide and "Treating Bleeding".

Week 18: Obtain bag or duffel for 72 hour kit, Hint: Each family or individual should have portable container(s) with emergency supplies such as the following: water, food requiring no refrigeration or cooking (graham crackers, canned fruits, canned meats), medications and critical medical histories required by family members, change of clothing, including 2 pairs of stockings; sanitary supplies; first aid booklet and equipment; candles; matches; ax; shovel; can opener; and blanket. The container should be placed where it can be picked up at a moment's notice.

Week 19: Buy 3 cans tuna and 3 cans pork and beans for 72 hour kit. Hint: Put together a first aid kit for the car.

Week 20: 1 lb. Box of crackers sealed in plastic for 72 hour kit. Hint: Teach family how to treat shock victims.

Week 21: 1 lb. Dried fruit & beef jerky (apples, pineapple, apricots, bananas etc.) for 72 hour kit.

Hint: Try drying the fruit yourself and making jerky by slicing thin and placing-on low heated oven overnight.

Week 22: 48 oz., canned orange or tomato juice for 72 hour kit. Hint: Post emergency numbers at all phones in the house.

Week 23: 1 lb. Peanut butter for 72 hour kit. Hint: Try to cook for 3 days from your food storage. S'mee's suggestion: One way to insure you rotate you supply and keep it fresh is to make one day's meals each week from your storage.

Week 24: 1 gallon of water for 72 hour kit. Hint: Learn"Water Safety".

Week 25: ½ lb. Nonfat dry milk. Hint: Obtain container for first aid kit for 72 hour kit. S'mee's suggestion: Depending on how large your kit needs to be this can be as small as a #10 can or as large as a 33 gallon trash can with wheels. When we had all 5 kids at home we used the trashcan. We filled it, sealed it with the lid, then placed it near the garage door for easy removal if needed.

Week 26: Obtain change of clothing that fits for 72-hour kit. Hint: Decide how you will“Cope with Blackouts”. S'mee's suggestion: Get a sweat shirt and sweat pants for each member of the family along with socks, unders, etc. The extra layer will help.

Week 27: Buy peaches & berries from store or U-pick farms. Hint: Bottle (or learn to bottle) peaches and berries.

Week 28: Matches, candle, battery operated light for 72 hour kit. Hint: Store cash in $1 bills in various pockets in 72 hour kit for emergencies.

Week 29: Obtain blanket (wool is preferred) for 72 hour kit. Hint: Make sure you have emergency provisions and plans for pets.

Week 30: Buy corn or other vegetables at U-pick farm or store. Hint: Bottle or freeze veggies.

Week 31: Can opener, dishpan, dishes, utensils, ax, shovel, bucket, battery-powered radio, paper and pencil for 72 hour kit. Hint: Locate gas meter and water meter shut offs and attach a wrench near them. children who are old enough should be show how to turn the gas and water off. Along with an explanation of when and why we should have to do this. Review your family's “Earthquake Preparedness" plan. S'mee's suggestion: copy the instructions onto card stock and add them to your 72 hour kit, so that you have a review card, 'just in case'.

Week 32: Personal toiletries for 72 hour kit. (toothbrush, tooth paste, shampoo, washcloth, towel, brush, feminine hygiene) Hint: Copies of personal documents: scriptures, genealogy records, patriarchal blessing, passport, driver's license, social security card, immunizations & legal documents (wills, insurance policies, birth certificates, etc.) for 72 hour kit. S'mee's suggestion: copy these onto a c.d.

Week 33: Plastic knives, forks, spoons, cups for storage. Hint: Place first aid kits, personal items and medication in various places--car, home, shed, etc.

Week 34: 1 box baking soda and baking powder. Hint:"Mouth to Mouth Resuscitation & Treating Choking."

Week 35: 4 cans of cream of chicken soup, 4 cans of chicken noodle soup. Hint: Install or test your smoke detector.

Week 36: Buy chicken to bottle. Hint: Bottle or learn to bottle chicken or other foods in pressure cooker.

Week 37: 3 cans beef chunks, Hint: Have fire drill.

Week 38: 4 cans vegetable soup. Hint: Establish an out of state contact to call in case of emergency.

Week 39: 2lbs. Macaroni and 1 lb. Spaghetti. Hint: Place a pair of shoes under your bed so they are handy. Encourage children to store shoes under bed at night. You may want to have flashlights under children's beds also.

Week 40: 4 cans vegetables. Hint: Send copies of favorite photos to friends or family, out of state for safe keeping. S'mee's suggestion: Copy all important documents and photos onto c.d. and store in a easy to find container.

Week 41: Large box of instant mashed potatoes. Hint: Inventory all your sources of light - paper logs, hurricane lamps, candles etc. and make sure matches are nearby.

Week 42: 8 cans of canned fruit (peaches, pears, apples etc.) Hint: Store a roll of quarters and dimes for emergency calls.

Week 43: Aluminum foil, plastic garbage bags, ziploc bags. Hint: Go on a hunt as a family to find the closest pay phone, or make survival kit.

Week 44: 4 boxes macaroni & cheese. Hint: .Take a first aid or CPR course.

Week 45: Plant fruit trees and grapevines. Hint: Make a plan to check on a ward member or neighbor who may need help in an emergency.

Week 46: Buy large garbage can and make home compost pile. (check in community for other sources) Hint: Prepare to plant garden.

Week 47: 1 Large jar of jam or jelly, buy apples to bottle. Hint: Use apples to bottle, dehydrate, and make into sauce or butter.

Week 48: Buy pears from farm or store. Hint: Bottle pears.

Week 49: 7 gallons of water. Hint: Make inventory of all available water.

Week 50: 1 large container of syrup. Hint: Find out what the ward emergency plans are.

Week 51: Buy ingredients for families favorite recipes. Hint: Make a list of 14 recipes your family likes and acquire all the needed ingredients. Make copies of them and put them in storage sealed in ziploc bags.

Feel confident and START OVER AGAIN