Apricot Jam

This was a lot more work than I thought it would be. My mother-in-law was given an apple box half-full of yummy, delicious apricots. She told me to take a few home (a few is about 30-40 apricots), I love apricots but I couldn't eat that many, even if a wanted too they would spoil before I could. So before it got to that point I thought I would try to make some jam. I have never made jam before and always thought it required some special kind of talent and besides that, that's something my grandma does. I was amazed on how easy it really was, it just took a lot of time, maybe because I was doing it myself. All in all I think I had roughly around 175 apricots. It took about 7lbs of sugar, 6 lemons, and 4-5 hours, oh and all 175 (give or take) apricot. Right now I'm a little sick of apricot jam which really stinks because its my favorite kind of jam.
Anyways, I made 2 different kinds of apricot jam. The 1st one was freezer jam, which consisted of blanching the apricots, peeling the skins, pitting them and them pureeing them. Adding the sugar and lemon juice. Making the jelly on the stove, mixing and canning. Pretty easy.These ones will have the stay in the freezer.

The second kind of jam was over the stove. 1st I cleaned the apricots, cut them in half, pitted them. Then threw them in a large pot with some sugar and water. Cooked them until they were soft and tender, then I added the rest of the sugar and lemon juice and let it cook on low for about 45 minutes. When it was done I jarred them, they will seal themselves. These ones can go in the pantry. I made 46 half-pint jars in all.

YUMMY!

72 Hour Kit (Top 10 List)

We know that getting started on a 72 hour kit can be a daunting task, so here is a list (in order) of the top ten things you should have in your 72 hour kit.

* Container (Backpack, rolling duffel bag, rubbermaid container, etc)
* Water (for 72 hours)
* Food/Medication/Can Opener (special consideration for infants/pets)
* Scriptures
* Money
* Vital Info/Documents
* AM/FM Radio/Batteries
* Flashlight/Batteries
* First Aid Kit/Sanitary Supplies
* Change of Clothing/Wet Wipes

A container is listed first, so that as you collect supplies you will have a designated place for everything.

Here are some other websites to get you started and motivated!

* Ready.gov
* FEMA (Are You Ready?)
* FEMA (Basic Disaster Supplies)
* Lou & Lou Safety Patrol (Watch the video "Get Ready, Get Set, Emergency")

Preparedness FHE Ideas

Here are some great ideas for getting your family prepared through Family Home Evening activities and lessons. Some of them are really easy and some of them require a little more planning. I know that if we CAN teach our families NOW while they are still young about things that WILL happen, we will be a better and MORE PREPARED family unit and will also be a lot closer. We need to teach them to always be prepared for the worst and trust Heavenly Father, that he will NEVER let us down but in order for that to happen we need to do our part and heed the counsel of our latter-day prophet Thomas S Monson and other church leaders and get our affairs in order to make way for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So that we then can be united and live FOREVER in his presents. Some of the affairs we need to be doing are getting out of debt, paying a honest tithe, attending the temple, teaching our children about being prepared, and serving our fellowmen. I hope that these simple activities and lessons can help you and your families to be prepared. *Just click on the pages to enlarge.*