Thank you and Cannery Prices Going Up and Down

First of all, I wanted to thank everyone who came to our annual Christmas Cookie Party. I had a lot of fun and hope that everyone else did too. I wanted to thank those of you who brought food for the Food Bank as well. That big box that you put your canned goods into is filled to the brim and a bit overflowing, so I am excited to take it to the Food Bank later this afternoon as a donation from our neighborhood and friends. THANK YOU! Let's do it again next year, but this time, let's double the amount of food -- what a fun tradition that I hope to continue, thanks to all of you!

Secondly, I got word that the cannery prices will be changing as of the middle of January (16th). Some of the prices will go up and others will go down. Be especially aware that the price of powdered milk goes up substantially, so if you have been procrastinating stocking up on milk, now would be the time. You can view all the price changes right here: http://www.utahpreppers.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Home-Storage-Center-Price-Comparison-Current-vs-Effective-Jan-16-2010.pdf

If anyone is interested in putting up some food at the cannery, I would be happy to go with you. Just give me a call or a shout out on this blog and I will coordinate a time that works for both of us. I would love to help! Seriously! This is my passion -- to help everyone become better prepared, as the Lord has told us to be.

Just so you can think ahead a bit, there are a couple of bulk orders that I will start putting together in January -- one is for a first aid kit that we can buy in pieces -- about $6.00 or so a month (or you can buy the entire thing at one time, but we get the bulk rate when we get a BIG group of people buying together). We will then each month buy the next segment of the kit until, when we are finished, we will have a BEAUTIFUL first aid kit.

The second bulk order that I am going to put together will be for "Rachel's Rice". If any of you were at the Relief Society Christmas dinner, you might remember the rice we served. I had several of you ask for the recipe. I could only purchase it via mail (Sam's Club used to carry it, but they don't anymore) and it is pricey, but in my thoughts, well worth the price. It is a sort of rice pilaf and a nice thing to have around when you want to spoil yourself. I will work with the company and see what price I can get for it. My guess is that the more we order, the less expensive the rice will be. We'll see and let you know.

I am also looking into bulk orders in the future on plastic storage containers (for spices, for pastas, flour, sugar, beans, grains and many other items) as well as a fresh spice order. Let me know on this blog which, if any of these orders, you would be interested in so that I can decide which one to start with. OR, if you have any other items that you would be interested in, jot that down as well.

Well, we are just a few days away from Christmas and so I just wanted to wish you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS. I want to carry this wonderful spirit of the season with me each and every day of the year. Let's make 2010 the year of thinking of others and not only thinking of others, but doing something for others -- each and every day. I have been looking into possible service projects for my family and there are a million of them out there -- from the very simple to the very complex. I pray that my little family (and especially I) will make a difference in people's lives in 2010. I challenge you to do the same.

ENJOY CHRISTMAS and all that that means to you and yours!

Susan

CHRISTMAS COOKIE PARTY

As you all know, our annual Christmas Cookie Party is next Saturday, December 19th (4-8 p.m.). We wanted to try a different twist this year and try to help out those in need at the same time. There are so many people hurting this year due to the economy and I just can't bear the thought of the over abundance of treats we get each year (although we love them, btw) when so many are struggling and hungry. So, as for our family, we hope you understand that the monies that we usually spend on neighbor gifts will go to providing food for the local Food Bank. Even though you won't get a neighbor gift from us, know how much we love you --

We would love for you to join us in this worthy cause -- and here is your invitation:

DEAR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS

At Christmastime we like to give to friends and neighbors dear,

but maybe we could think of those less fortunate this year.

Instead of giving neighbor gifts we'll fill the Food Bank shelves...

Let's warm the hearts of those in need like Santa's little elves.

As friends we'll join together and bring food in cans galore,

non-perishables are very best because of how they store.

Saturday night, December 19th will be the time that we meet

from 4-8 it's cookies, wassail and other scrumptious treats

The Wheatley Home is where we'll be with lots of fun for all

A time to relax and enjoy our friends -- heck, it will be more fun than the mall!

But if you cannot make it -- no big deal, you see

We'll still be glad to take your food to the Food Bank charity!

Just drop it off on Durrell and Susan's porch or ring the doorbell too

We'll take the food on Monday, the 21st so by golly,THANK YOU!

I hope you will join us in this chance to help those who are struggling at this time. We are all experiencing the economic crunch in some shape or form, but "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these...."

Please come to the cookie party whether you bring food for the pantry or not. Everything else is the same for the party -- come and enjoy each other's company, some cookies and wassail, and bring your entire family -- remember, we always play the Polar Express downstairs for the younger children (or the adults who love the movie as much as I do).

Hope you are enjoying the Christmas season -- the weather outside is frightful, but the warmth of our friendship and love will warm us next Saturday from 4-8 p.m.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!

STOVE TEC GROUP BUY - DEADLINE NEXT WEEK!

You have to see this -- this is WONDERFUL! I just received an email from Andrea Urban who is opening up a quick turnaround order on these stoves. They use wood or charcoal and that is a lot safer than storing lots of propane for your BBQ grill.

This is an amazing product that you can cook on every day if you have no other way to cook. It takes very little fuel. You can even use pinecones or twigs if you have nothing else. When the power is out, or your utilities are not dependable, or you are camping, hunting or just want to heat a pot of soup or hot chocolate for a group activity this will do the trick. It's called a Stovetec Rocket stove.

The website with all the info is here: http://www.stovetec.net/us/index.php I highly suggest that you watch the short video on this page and get an idea of how these work. This buy will be for the one that uses wood or charcoal. It retails for $40 + $20 shipping ($60), This group order will be for $34 +$6 shipping ($40). I really love the opportunity to help others that are less fortunate that we are. For only $9, this company will provide a stove for a family in a developing country. If you'd like to donate for that purpose, please add that to your order and I'll make sure those donations get where they need to go.

This link: http://www.stovetec.net/us/products/wood-charcoal-stove shows the details of the stove we are purchasing. It seems that there are now 2 diameter options for this stove (which causes a 4 lb weight difference) , I am waiting for a call for more info about that but in the mean time, please indicate which you'd like. If we must choose one option per pallet ordered, I'll go with the majority on the size to order.

These will be shipped to Santaquin, and will need to be picked up from there. We could possibly have Provo & West Jordan drop off points, if there is enough interest. (Indicate you you'd like these options.) If you aren't local (out of state), it will be to your advantage to order directly from the company because I'm not able to ship them this time of year and save you any money.

3 payment options: 1. Please send checks, made out to Andrea Urban, to 310 W 300 N, Santaquin, UT 84655. Remember to send them in time to arrive by the 11th. 2. You are also welcome to bring cash to me, but I wouldn't mail it if I were you. 3. I take paypal as well, (urbanmattandrea@msn.com) For this option please add $1.50 to cover the paypal fees that they charge me, and I need paypal by the 7th, so I can get the payment into my bank account in time to order. Please email with questions and I'll get back to you ASAP. Andrea Urban

Work directly with Andrea if you are interested in these stoves, as there isn't enough time for me to collect your money and turn around and send it to her. Besides, I am still waiting for some to pick up and pay me for their other past orders, so I don't have extra monies to upfront the costs this time.

Please, however, let me know if you are going to buy one -- just out of curiosity -- I would love to know if anyone took her up on her offer. I am certainly going to!!!! I already have my year's supply of charcoal, so this is a no-brainer for us!

And, can't forget the plug --

SUNSET 13th WARD RELIEF SOCIETY CHRISTMAS DINNER AND SERVICE EXCHANGE
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3rd 6-9 p.m.

Don't forget to bring your service exchange -- the best part of the evening!

See you there!

Susan