THANKSGIVING FAIL!

All the family came home!
It was good times.

In planning for the big Thanksgiving feast
I came across a #10 can of olives!
Only $8.00!

Perfect!

An olive for every finger!

What is wrong with this picture????

I didn't notice until right before dinner is served.

The word "sliced" escaped my notice.

So much for an olive for every finger.

IT'S OFFICIAL

I have been called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

As a Service Missionary.

I was contacted by the Pocatello Idaho Mission President and his wife.
They were given my name as one who may be willing to serve in the capacity of a nurse.
Perhaps you've seen those missionaries with their name badges.
Or maybe you've seen people wearing the yellow "helping hands" T-shirts
assisting clean up efforts after hurricanes, tornados or floods.
There are countless ways that the church allows us to serve.

The necessary paperwork was filled out.
I've had a couple of meetings with them and away I go.
I am one of four nurses in the Pocatello Idaho Mission serving in this capacity.

I actually won't go anywhere.
I will continue my regular life with the exception of taking phone calls from missionaries
 (those with the last name between L-O will be my responsibility).
 I will do a "phone triage" or
if necessary I will go visit to determine if they need to seek further medical care.
It's a bit more involved than all that, but I am excited to serve.

I always thought I'd have to be old and retired to serve a mission.
Well, I'm not retired!

I expressed to the Mission President's wife my uncertainty of knowing if one of the missionaries needed further attention.
She smiled and told me to relax.
 "Just treat them as you would your own children", she said.
I told her that my third child suffered from a broken hand for 3 days before I decided maybe it really was broken.
His hand was the size of a watermelon.
She smiled and told me I would do just fine.

In today's past political climate,
it would be impossible to not know at least a little bit about LDS people and the church.
Regardless of political leaning, it would be impossible not to admire the dedication of Mitt Romney,
his generosity with his inheritance and the fact that he didn't take a paycheck as Govenor of Massachussetts.
He has lived an stellar life.
He's got an amazing wife and family.
The LDS Church was definitely under a microscope.
Hopefully, we were able to be an example of good.
If you want to learn more about the church I know that there are missionairies worldwide that would love to meet you.
I would also be thrilled to send you a Book of Mormon.

Seriously, I would.

BECAUSE I {CAN}

Literally.

It is so much work.

And I love every minute of it.

This year I stepped out of my comfort zone and canned BACON.
Weird huh?

It's wrapped in parchment and stuffed in the jars.
No water added.
Used my pressure canner at 15 psi for 90 minutes.

When you're ready to use it, fry for a second and tada!

Use it for whatver you would use bacon for.

Unusual stuff I've canned:
Fruit cocktail.
Meatballs.
Cherry pie filling.
Chicken soup.
Beef stew.

Of course there's the normal stuff.
Chicken.
Peaches.
Applesauce.
Pickles.
and of course Salsa.
Can't ever have enough of that stuff.

Certainly is time consuming.
Probably doesn't save much money.
But it is relaxing.
Convenient meals for later.
And did I mention I love it?

Linked to Homestead Revival.