First Presidency Statement on Haiti - LDS Newsroom

First Presidency Statement on Haiti - LDS Newsroom

I know we have all been watching the disaster in Haiti and wishing we could do something to help. There are several humanitarian organizations helping and many are doing so much good. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is one of the first responders many times in a disaster. 100% of the donations will help those in Haiti. If many people give even a little bit, it will make a difference!

I also appreciate our leaders asking us to remember the people of Haiti in our prayers. Something we can definitely all do!

Our Favorite Cookie Recipe

Banana Oatmeal Cookies

1 ½ C Flour (I use wheat flour for at least half)

1 C Sugar

½ tsp Baking Powder

1 tsp Salt

¼ tsp Nutmeg

¾ tsp Cinnamon

3/4 C Shortening (can substitute olive oil for up to half)

1 Egg

1 C Bananas (about 2-3, very ripe)

1 3/4 C Oatmeal (old fashioned or quick)

1/2 C Chocolate chips, or Nuts

Sift together dry ingredients. Cut in shortening. Add egg and bananas. Mix well. Add oatmeal and nuts or choc. chips. Bake at 375’ for 12 to 14 minutes or golden brown.

*We usually double this recipe to make a good sized batch. I use the winter white wheat which isn't as strong flavored as hard red wheat. We have a grinder and I make it very fine for baking.

I thought I'd share this family favorite after several people have asked for it. It is always a great way to use up your ripe bananas. (Especially if you save a few just to make these!)

My new hobby...

I just have to share something that is so interesting to me. It's called "indexing". It is my new favorite hobby. What's great about it is that it is a real service to others and very enjoyable. If you love to learn about history, people and places it might be something you would love too.

How it works: historical and genealogical records from around the world are gathered and converted into digital images that are stored online.

Then, indexing volunteers pull those images up on their home computer and transcribe the information making a searchable online database that anyone can use free!

What I've learned by becoming an indexing volunteer:

From marriage records I learned about people who were married in Arkansas and Illinois. As I put in their information some tidbits would start me thinking; such as the time I put in one with a gentlemen "traveling salesmen" who married a much younger lady with no parents. Another time I indexed a census from Arizona in 1910. As I entered the information I noticed many people had immigrated just a few years before the census was taken. Why? They came to work in the copper mines or on farms. I never would have known this! I love history, so it's been so fun to learn about life in the early 1900's.

If you want to be a volunteer go to http://indexing.familysearch.org.

It's something anyone with a computer can do and very satisfying. If you need help, just ask me! I've done all types of indexing and logged over 1,000 records, so chances are I probably have worked on any project type that you choose (as long as it's in English anyway!).

First pictures of 2010...

This year's New Year picture

You can really see the difference from a year ago (check the side bar). I let them choose the jammies they wanted to wear this time, so they didn't all match. Oh well, it is still cute and I didn't make anybody go crazy making it look perfect!
Olivia playing with this adorable bunny playset that Hinata sent. She loves it! Maybe she'll even let someone else touch it soon!