Free Printable Apostle Card- Updated!

I couldn't resist switching up the apostle cards a little to fit what I always like to do...print on photo paper. Many reasons why I do this (ink costs, sturdier, too lazy to have them laminated....)
Anyway, I just realized a huge bonus to printing on photo paper. Ready? You sure? It changed my life ;)...

You can use dry erase markers on the photo paper!!!

This means that you can write notes on the apostle cards, count the number of times each of the gospel related words is said during conference (included in my printable is a list of 70+ topics that are great to be continually studying straight from LDS.org!). You could also just let the kids have fun with some markers to get familiar with what each apostle looks like.
We will be compiling these into a book after conference with a hole punched in the top left corner and a ring or ribbon to tie them together. Sacrament meeting and family home evening will be so enriched by inviting these leaders into our homes!

So, without further ramblings, here is the link for the updated printable cards!

Printable Blue Apostle Cards

Walgreens
Walmart
Generic Upload
Costco Users- Email me to have me share them (so sorry, no easy link!)

Printable Pink Apostle Cards

Walgreens Walmart Generic Upload Costco Users- Email me to have me share them (so sorry, no easy link!) To use:
Click on the name of the store that you have your photos printed at Don't see your prefered store? Leave a comment!
Sign in to your account Select "Order Prints"  The full album should cost about $1.50 (check for coupon codes!) Cut each 4X6 "picture" in half for 4X3 cards
Enjoy and share (see terms of use)!

Because of the super awesome find that photo paper works with dry erase markers, I will be making a printable quiet book for Sacrament meeting which includes games such as tic-tac-toe and other fun games! Anything you would like included in a printable quiet book? Leave a comment!

LDS Apostles Printable Cards

Updated: Link for prints on photo paper (use with a dry erase marker- no lamination!)

With General Conference right around the corner and a rambuctious 3 year old, I knew I had to find something to keep him entertained while we watch. He knows the prophet, but I want him to learn about all the apostles, what they teach us and why Conference is so important. I hope you enjoy this Apostle Printable as much as I do!

Use this 3 page PDF printable which includes a card for each apostle with their ordination date as well as ideas for use and fun additional "informational cards" to:

Teach your children to identify the apostles, know their ordination dates, understand the organization of the general authorities, listen for key words during conference, play games like match and "go fish", study specific topics in family home evening...and much more!

The printable includes a whole list of uses for during general conference and after conference is over (Think Family Home Evening and teaching). My favorite part is the list of "keywords" that we will hear during conference (compiled using the "study by topic" section of lds.org). I plan to use that as a springboard for our FHE and other teaching moments...as well as studying them all myself....I included the instructions to count how many times each word is said, that repetition sure does help!

After conference is over, I will be making our cards into a "mini book" for church. I think these cards will be getting a lot of use in our house!

Click to print apostle cards in pink

Click to print apostle cards in tangerine

All information was found on lds.org including pictures

I want to know:

How does your family "celebrate" general conference?

Free Printable- Motherhood is near to divinity.

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I love this qute that was shared in the April 1999 LDS General Conference by Elder Russell M. Nelson. He stated that it was given years ago by the First Presidency, but I am unable to find who to credit with this beautiful quote.

 Photo Version

At Home Version (4 per sheet)
Full Size Print

Photo Version

At Home Version (4 per sheet)
Full Size Print

Download the:

At Home Version (4 per sheet to print on cardstock or paper)

Photo Version (to be uploaded to your favorite photo printing service *I use Walgreens* and printed on higher quality photo paper)

or Full Size Print (8.5X11) also to print at home

Visit my series on Feeding a Large Crowd on a Budget!

Thanks for hosting!

5 Tips to Feed a Large Group on a Budget- Part 2

Click to see the full series

1. Put in the effort. Time=money and the inverse is also true. If you plan ahead, you can save money with just a little extra effort. Example: we needed frozen strawberries for a dessert. Instead of buying the pricey frozen version, I enlisted the help of a friend and cut fresh berries and froze them instead. Saved us at least half.

2. Choose a smaller menu. Instead of trying to make 5 salads, make just one that is customizable. You will be able to buy in bulk if you make more of one item than 5 seperate items. Time is also saved.

3. Start with a "base". Think potatoes or pasta (see below). You'll be able to make that dollar stretch much farther with an inexpensive base. Breads for sandwiches are more expensive to buy, so start with a less expensive base if possible.

4. Go meatless or low meat. Substitute beans or make a sauce or "addition" with less meat. Instead of meatballs, try chopped ground beef in the sauce. Chili can be made with less meat than called for.  

5. Whatever you do, make sure you have enough food. Although a main concern is not going over budget, make sure you always have enough food to go around. This can get tricky, but look for an easy planner in an upcoming post!

Onto a menu idea with a price breakdown....

Build Your Own Pasta Bar

Pasta (1lb serves about 6, make sure to include gluten free version if needed).  

Choice of meat:
Chicken (3 large grilled breasts per 25 people if serving other meat options, at least 6 if it's the only option)
Spaghetti sauce with ground beef (3+ cans with 1.5 lbs of beef)
Meatballs (recipe below)

Sauces:
Spaghetti Sauce (store bought)
Alfredo (recipe below)
Pesto (recipe below. I used my local farmer's market price to total pesto price. Basil is much cheaper locally.)

Optional:
Veggies (I like broccoli, onions, zucchini, yellow squash and/or peas)
Mushrooms for a meatless version

Cost per person: $1.26 without meatballs, $1.68 with meatballs
Cost per 25 people: $31.38 without meatballs, $41.88 with meatballs

*Note-this is priced at a local grocery store with no sales in mind. You'll can spend less if you follow my tips and especially shop sales! I also took into account what most people have in their pantry (seasonings, oil, etc.)

Serve with a salad (add $10/25 people or about $0.40/person)
Or breadsticks (add $8/25 people or about $.32/person)

Recipes

Alfredo Sauce Copycat from Olive Garden from RecipeLion.com
I love love love this!
To make enough for about 8

Ingredients

1 pint heavy cream

1/2 cup butter

2 Tablespoons cream cheese

3/4 cup parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste 

Instructions

 In a saucepan combine butter, heavy cream, and cream cheese. Simmer this until all is

melted, and mixed well. Add the Parmesan cheese and garlic powder. Simmer this for

15 - 20 minutes over low heat.

Pesto from USU extension
Double recipe per 25 people.
3 cups fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup walnuts
1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
3-4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
1/2 t salt
Instructions:
In a food proccessor or blender, pulse until uniform consistency, but with some texture remaining. Note: pesto will brown in refrigerator, to minimize, place a piece of plastic wrap on top of the pesto and store in an air tight container.

Best Meatball Recipe from Chef In Training (Double per 25 people)

Olive Garden Breadsticks from Full Bellies (Triple per 25 people)

Printable- The Sacrament

Pin It I've been feeling guilty about not posting, but let's face it...with a part-time job, a crazy 3 year old that is getting more independent by the day and a baby due in less than 2 months (think nesting!) I have been a little preoccupied.
Here is a printable that I made for a lesson on the sacrament. After having to miss sacrament meeting for 2 weeks, yesterday it was so refreshing to partake of the sacrament...it prepared me for the week and was so refreshing!

I handed this out with jam. If you were presenting a lesson for a large class, you could bring some bread and jam as a treat.

Enjoy!

Photo Version

At Home Version (4 per sheet)

Download either the At Home Version (4 per sheet to print on cardstock or paper) or Photo Version(to be uploaded to your favorite photo printing service *I use Walgreens* and printed on higher quality photo paper)

5 Tips to Feed a Large Group on a Budget- Part 1

5 Tips to Feed a Large Group on a Budget

1. Keep it customizable. Start with a good base, such as the potato bar below or my upcoming post of a Build Your Own Pasta bar. Guests can choose what they want and skip the rest. It's also easier to accommodate picky eaters and special diets when the menu isn't take-it or leave-it. Preparation is also easier as guests do all the "assembly" themselves!  

2. Shop ahead. Many things freeze well or have a long shelf life. Start planning and watching sales as soon as you know you have an upcoming event.

3. Think outside the supermarket. Do you have someone who gardens near you? Ask if they would like to sell you produce on the cheap. Stop at that potato stand on the side of the road (oh...you only see those if you're close to Idaho?!) Utilize the dollar store. (More details to come on the money that can be saved just by shopping at your local discount store). 

4. Use what you have. My cost breakdown for a potato bar with salad below takes into consideration the fact that you have some essentials (flower, salt, common seasonings). Have bulk beans? Use them! Have deer meat in your freezer but no hamburger? Use that! Tweak recipes to match what you know you have.

5. Enlist help. Sometimes friends have items you don't that they may want to get rid of. Friends and family can help watch sales, may have coupons or be able to help you prepare more from scratch.

Looking for an idea for your next party, gathering, family ? Looking for as little work as possible? You want something that everyone likes?

My solution:

A Potato Bar with Salad

We recently fed 75+ women of all ages, some with special diets and using a potato bar we pleased the whole crowd!

I did the cost break down for you...a simple potato bar and greens with all store-bought, no fuss prep will set you back about $1.17 per person.

Up the ante with some homemade broccoli cheese soup and chili and it will set you back about $1.96 per person.

Use the tips from this post and upcoming posts and you can save even more!

So...what do you need to feed 25 people a fully customizable, gluten free meal?

Shopping list for a potato bar:

About 20 pounds of potatoes

Aluminum foil- 2 rolls. Wrap and bake at 350 degrees for about an hour. Cut in half length wise just prior to serving.

Sides:

Butter- 2 sticks softened

Sour Cream- 2 containers

Onions- 1 bunch green onions chopped

Cheese- 1 pound shredded

Chili- 1 large can. Heat in crockpot, add spices as needed.

Homemade chili and broccoli cheese topping are such a nice addition.

I found the following yummy recipes and by substituting the chili and cheese in the above list, you'll still come in under $2 per person!

Thick and Hearty Chili by Pioneer Woman
(this recipe is for a full meal, but I love that the chili is thick!)

Cheddar Broccoli Soup by Chef in Training

(increase flour and butter to thicken *note, this is not gluten free, but could easily be altered)

Check back later (or better yet, follow me!) for more tips and a breakdown of cost and what you'll need for a Build Your Own Pasta bar!

Thanks for hosting!

Free Printables- Patience and Temple Worship

I know, I promised tips on feeding many people on a budget...but...I had a little hangup with the printable I was making for ya'll. It will be up soon and I promise it won't disappoint!

So, today I thought I would post a few handouts that are perfect for a lesson or just for inspiration for someone you know.

Download either the At Home Version (4 per sheet to print on cardstock or paper) or Photo Version(to be uploaded to your favorite photo printing service *I use Walgreens* and printed on higher quality photo paper)

ENJOY! Leave me a comment if you download (keeps me motivated ;).

Pin It
Pin "Patience"

Patience

At Home Version

Photo Version

Pin It
Pin "Temple"

Temple

At Home Version

Photo Version

I want to know:

Who will you inspire with these words today?

Me? I need to get going on more family history, so the temple worship handout will serve as my inspiration today!

Large Party on a Shoestring Budget

Looking for ideas for ideas for a large party on a budget?

You're in the right place!

Over the next few posts I will be spotlighting ideas for all aspects of a party- food, decor, program and favors. Keeping a strict budget and not exhausting yourself while having an uplifting event is difficult but so so worth it when you see your guests leave feeling better than when they stepped in.
Our Relief Society Birthday Party was yesterday and was a complete success. This is basically a large dinner and program to celebrate the beginnings of the Relief Society organization, but all aspects of our event apply to all parties, large and small.

• Sticking to a budget of just over $100? Mission accomplished!
• Food for 70 people with minimum effort, a small budget and something everyone loved? Check! (complete with a gluten free diet in mind!)
• Decor that was cute, simple and inexpensive? Yes...and no (check back for my major fail in this area!)
• A program that uplifted and strengthened the women that attended? YES! (Tears all around count as uplifted right?)
• 70 (meaningful, useful) favors for $10? Accomplished!

So....check back tomorrow for details about food for a large crowd on a budget (and simple prep!) Better yet, follow me so you never miss a post!