Thursday, November 11, 2010

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

Every month we have a meeting with the women of our church. (the Relief Society). We had planned a breakfast dinner and then various projects to get ready for Christmas. Before the projects we had to get our energy up with... Pancakes! We also had sausage, pumpkin muffins and other goodies. About 22 women showed up and we ate, laughed, did our projects, and generally had a fun time. These meetings are one of my main responsibilities, but I couldn't pull any of it off without the help of some pretty super people..fitting in the theme of being grateful, I'll say a big thanks to Stacy, Gayle, and Ginger for doing the projects... Joanne and Estelle for showing up early and flipping the flapjacks..and Jack for showing up to help where ever I asked him to! We even had our own little miracle that involved a 24 days of Christmas book that was to be handed out to those who had ordered one. We had some girls show up that wanted one, but hadn't ordered any. Stacy had put together just enough to give out to the pre-ordered people..only when it was all said and done, we had 6 left over to hand out to the ones who thought they were out of luck. Hmmm...
I tried my hand at making some bread pudding. I had a ton of hotdog buns left over from the Halloween party and I had them in my freezer. So I thawed them out and put them to good use. Turned out pretty good and I made a lemon sauce to top it off. One of the ladies made the comment that I must have stayed home from work today to get it all done..nope, I got home from work at 4:00. I'm just incredibly organized..what's that sound I hear?? Oh, it's just anyone who knows me laughing their head off at that comment!
If you're like me you have decorations that are not being used anymore. So I got the brilliant idea to have everyone bring in items they don't want and we put them out for anyone to take home. One man's junk is another man's treasure after all. Anything left was taken to Associated Charities. Many items were given a new home!
Even this "Charlie Brown" tree got snatched up for a child's bedroom so they could have their very own tree. Fluff up those limbs and put ornaments on it and it will dazzle..all for free!
One of our projects tonight was making a Christmas card. When I saw this idea back in the summer I told Stacy, our Pres., that it looked to complicated for me. Thankfully another member of our group (Ginger) took on the challenge and really did a great job of putting it all together. So even though this huge mess on the table looks overwhelming, it went from this to....
This: Sorry it's so blurred, but the cards were very pretty and could be used as cards or framed for a cute 5X7 Christmas picture. Everyone loved the results and I loved not having to teach this! This card is only partially done, I should have waited and taken a pic of the finished project.. Darn!
We've been collecting dish towels and dish rags for a project one of the women at church wanted to do for Associated Charities for Christmas. I wasn't sure what it was until I finally saw them being put together and then I got it. The dish towel "britches" are whip stitched to look like pants with another towel tucked inside..then they can be taken apart and used.Just a cute way to give a practical gift. We put together 70 of them.
After our dish towel "britches" were made we put them into Christmas bags and got them all ready to take to Associated Charities to be given to anyone they feel would like them.
A big thank you goes out to my hubby Jack...thanks babe for coming to our meeting, putting up with being the only male, helping serve the food, helping to clean up afterward,and, most important, making sure no bad guys break into the church to kidnap any of us (Ok, so I'm exaggerating just a bit)You're my hero!

18 comments:

Donna said...

Yep, you are one amazing chick! I am always in awe of the "organizedA" way uyou get it all done! You told me about all this yesterday and it sounded great but wow! ...to see it in action and all is amazing! The bread pudding made me laugh...you are like Jesus and the 5000! I'm sure it was good too!
And that Jack, what a guy!!!! Cudos to him!

Susan Anderson said...

Looks like a great success! I love those activities when everyone just gets together and has a good time. And I always appreciate the women (like you!) who make it happen.

=)

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

Like Donna mentioned on her comment you are one amazing chick! lol
You never cease to amaze me when I visit your site. Glad you have such a sweet hubby. Not many men would do that for their wives...
Love
Maggie

Stacy said...

I am sooo glad that we made it though this night! I had a marvelous time. :) Life is good, especially when we have people we can count on. I love having you in the presidency. You are another Mormon Mom to me. Thanks for always being there!

Ca88andra said...

That was one busy time you've had! Pancakes sounds good...

Mrs Catch said...

Yum, Pancakes! And such lovely cards! I'm about to sit down and make a special few Christmas cards for family and close friends. I really enjoy it. You had a fun day and then others benefited. It doesn't get much better than that!

Rose said...

sounds like a good group of women. i love bread pudding. is it hard to make? if it isn't would like your recipe.

Karen Whittal said...

It is always amazing how much we can do when we are doing it for the Glory of God, looks like great fun, would loved to have been there

Phil and Amanda said...

I've yet to try the bread pudding that has the lemon topping! :-( And what a good hubby you have...now I see where Phil gets it. :-)

Hope said...

amazing woman! I love your post. you write very well and your photo's are great

I like the idea of bringing your 'don't use' items to a gathering.

we have an ornament exchange every year where anyone who makes an ornament gets one. perhaps I can suggest bringing our don't use Xmas items too.

thanks for your post. it is always delightful!

Jay said...

Kudos to Jack. And on a side note, ma'am, those pancakes look fantastic. :)

PoetessWug said...

Hello Yaya, I couldn't find your email, so I'm posted this in your comments. Just wanted to let you know that you won my GIVEAWAY!!!

http://poetesswug-thewugsbackyardblogspot.blogspot.com/2010/11/guess-what.html

I'll just be waiting for an address so I can send it to you!

Congratulations! :-)

Holyoke Home said...

You should have kept the card JUST AS IT WAS and framed it! Beautiful!!!!

PoetessWug said...

Hi Yaya,
Just wanted to let you know that the free gift, the blanket, was shipped this morning. If you contact me through my Wuglyees shop on Etsy I can give you the confirmation number... Also, Let me know when you get it, okay. I hope you get good use out of my crocheted "baby", or find a good home for it. I appreciate you always sharing your thoughts with me on my blog. :-)

I hope you don't mind, but I sent along a couple of my business cards for my Wuglyees shop. If you know of anyone with a need for crocheted items, or some poetry, pass them along please. No obligation.

Thank you! I hope to be hearing from you again soon! Deb

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

It looked like everyone was havin' a grand time contributing to a great cause. It's love in action baby. Kudos to ya'll!!!

God bless ya and have the most incredible day sweetie!!!

Cheryl said...

What a fantastic group, you do a fabulous job. Mind you, keep up with that food and I think you'll all be starting the local weight watchers group next year :-)

Vicki Boster said...

What a wonderful fellowship among your friends and such a great thing to have the "trash to treasure" trade off. That is a fabulous idea! Love the crafts - the cards are beautiful - (you guys should sell those!) - and the bread pudding - well - that is my very favorite!

I just want to take this little space to tell you how much I appreciate that you visit my blog -take the time to leave comments, and are such a vital part of my blogging journey. You mean the world to me - you really, really, do!

Vicki

Anonymous said...

Mmmmm....bread pudding..mmmm...pancakes...

Great times!!