Wednesday, July 16, 2008

My new obsession


Last week Tom and I were desperate to find something to watch. Briggy was asleep and we could actually give our full attention to a program....but nothing was on! We have comcast...and we frequent the ON DEMAND part where there is free movies and tv shows. I came across an AMC original show called "Mad Men" I guess it was popular because it won all sorts of awards--but we had never heard of it. Anyway, they have the entire first season saved on the on demand "hot picks"
Its set in 1960. The main character (who is an absolute HUNK if you ask me---and looks strikingly similar to a certain husband I have!) Is Don Draper and he is an Ad executive. If you dont know already, I love that time frame. All fashion and lifestyle from about 1945-1965 is my absolute favorite. I love the Red-Head secretary's wardrobe...she is insanely beautiful. Don's wife, Betty is the actress January Jones---I know I've heard her name before, Im just not sure what Ive seen her in...she is also stunning with a beautiful wardrobe. I just wish we could dress like that again. Dont be suprized if one day I start dressing like that and never turn back! I wish! Its so hard to find nice vintage pieces that are a bazillion dollars. Anyway, the content of the show is A LITTLE scandalous. I dont watch any of those Desperate Housewife shows or anything....and I defintely dont think its at that caliber...I guess you'd have to be the judge---there is sexual innuendo, EVERYONE smokes and drinks....but its very historically correct! We really liked it, and season 2 is starting up in two weeks. Its on late sunday night---but they have it on ON DEMAND the next day. Anyway, just thought I'd share my new obsession!

Sunday, July 13, 2008

FHE Idea for 7/14

Considering todays talks were all about hymns: their power and importance---I thought I would find some ideas for Family Home Evening. Every sunday evening I *plan* on posting an idea for FHE.
For those of you who aren't familiar what family home evening is, here's a little description:

---Church leaders have instructed members to set aside Monday night as "family home evening." This is a time for families to study the gospel together and to do other activities that strengthen the family spiritually, create family memories, and increase unity and love. (treats are always an added bonus!)---




For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart, yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.
Doctrine and Covenants 25:12


Singing Praises: Learning Our Hymns and Children’s Songs
31106, Family Home Evening Resource Book, Family Activities, Singing Praises: Learning Our Hymns and Children’s Songs, 294

Singing together brings joy, and knowing the words to a song makes singing more fun. Encourage all family members to sing. Remind them that if only the birds with the prettiest songs were allowed to sing, the forest would be a mighty quiet place.

Materials Needed
A copy of Hymns

Children’s Songbook

Squares of paper or 3-by-5 inch cards

Activity
These five games all involve singing. Playing them often can help family members learn the words to their favorite hymns.

Game 1
A number of words are used in more than one of our hymns. Here is a list of some of these words: come, home, mountains, high, how, fire, Zion, let, there, sing, now, hills, guide, 0, Oh, we’ll, hark, light, thank.

The family leader calls out a word, and each family member has a chance to sing part or all of a hymn using the word in the lyrics. When no one can think of any other hymn using this word, go on to the next word. Everyone stays in the game to the end, even if he misses a word. There is no particular winner in this game. It is a participation game. After the last word is given, the whole family can sing a hymn suggested by that word.

Additional Activities
1. Make up your own musical games.

2. Listen to the Tabernacle Choir sing hymns on records and tapes.

3. Use the musical accompaniments for the hymns and songs available on compact disc (Hymns: 50166, 50866; Children’s Songbook: 50428, 50505) and audiocassette (Hymns: 52175, 52297; Children’s Songbook: 52428, 52505).

4. Advanced singers might hum the alto, tenor, or bass parts to a hymn and see if the other family members can guess what the song is.

SPARKLING FUNSHINE SHERBET!
sounds pretty fun, huh?
i havent tried this recipe, but it seems fun and simple enough for any age child to help with.
The only thing is you need a plastic tub big enough to fit it in....one of those big icecream containers---but sand buckets are all around now, why not just dump it in that?

its one can of sweetened condensed milk and a two liter bottle of soda (i bet orange would make a yummy creamsicle flavor)
stir and swirl, then freeze. if you make that a littler earlier on with the kiddos, after dinner and the lesson it should be sherbet consistency!