Includes ideas for what the class can be about

By Shiloah Baker

Brought to you by http://www.enrichmentcottage.com

We at the Enrichment Cottage take the pressure off the Relief Society leaders by coming up with fresh and fun themed activities and additional resources to make your calling easier! Why reinvent the wheel? We are here to help! Here are 15 Creative home and family ideas for names for the classes you can offer at your Relief Society meetings, workshops or midweek classes.

Class Names with ideas:

1. Mom’s Ride- car care for women on the go!

2. Kitchen Mojo- even the most dazzling women in the kitchen need a little inspiration now and then. This class is for you!
3. Mealtime Magic- dinner menus and ideas for meals that children will love.
4. Tag-a-longs- Ideas for making shopping with kids a breeze.
5. Shakespeare in Love- ideas for marriage and romance.
6. Dress your Kids on a Shoestring- shopping ideas with thrift in mind.
7. 100% Ethically Grown-how we can raise virtuous children.
8. Simple Solutions for Home Organization- self explanatory.
9. The Red Caboose- …. sunburn relief ideas.
10. Pink Bloomers- and other colored flower gardening ideas.
11. The Never Ending Story- and other tales of laundry woes. Ideas for winning the laundry wars.
12. Who Let the Packrats Out? – Clutter controlling and home organizing.
13. Water Music- hydrotherapy
14. The Littles- either a pest control class or class on parenting
15. A Squash for all Seasons- cooking with the various varieties of squash throughout the year.

There you have it! Fifteen fun, some of them humorous class names to spark your creativity.
________________________________________
Shiloah Baker is a mom of seven, pregnant with #8, married to the man she’s madly in love with. Exercise is her vice. She runs the Homemaking Cottage and educates her children in the home. In her spare time she sews, crafts, writes and reads.

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We want to treat you to a discount on both of our Class Names ebooks. We put them in a bundle for only $5.47! Hurry, this offer won’t last long!

100 Creative and New Class Names
Author: Shiloah Baker
Price: $4.74 Today only $5.47
Format: PDF

This list of one hundred class names is especially for Enrichment Leaders who need creative, new and fresh ideas for class titles or titles for their Relief Society nights. As you are planning, you might find inspiration among these for classes to add as well!

Some Examples: In Queso Emergency, Take a Dip, The Bod Squad. The categories included are: Cooking, homemaking, personal, holiday, family and extras. Next to each class name are suggestions on classes to go with titles.

50 Creative Relief Society Class Names
Author: Shiloah Baker
Price: $3.24 Today only $5.47
Format: PDF

We know that sometimes it can be hard to always come up with clever and creative class names for Relief Society. This ebook is your handy guide to look over for inspiration not only for class names, but for new classes you could have at your Relief Society Workshops.

“If inactivity is the problem, then seek out the sisters who do not attend and let them give you the reasons they are not coming. Only the inactive people know why they do not come. And once they can be heard—really listened to—and the leaders begin to respond to what they actually say, then a solution is probably very close. Local Relief Societies can make sure that the meeting rooms are attractive, that the lessons are good, that the atmosphere is friendly, and that the spirit of love pervades, especially to those who are being introduced to Relief Society or reactivated.” (1)

Be the Example

Many times the top two reasons people quit going to an activity is from either feeling left out or they were offended in some way. Most will not say something, they will just quietly quit coming.

Here is a story to illustrate this example. A sister went to a church scrapbooking group in her new ward. She was excited to meet new sisters and form new friendships. Everyone appeared friendly when she first came and set up her supplies.

However, the conversation turned ugly and they began to gossip about people they’ve known in the past who were receiving church assistance and how they felt that they were undeserving of it for this and that reason. This sister had hard times in the past and with the help from the church they worked past those times. She didn’t say anything, but was sad and offended at the judgmental conversation of these sisters. Later, the sister who was the most outspoken became the Relief Society President. While this sister did quit coming to the main church meetings, she did quit coming to the church activities in that ward to avoid future negative conversation.

While we can’t control everyone or anything and situations will surely arise at some point where someone is offended without the offending person having any intention of doing so, we can try to keep the atmosphere as light and loving as possible. When we show unconditional love, it is love without bounds or judgment.

Love them Back

No matter the reason the sister goes inactive, love her unconditionally. In another example, one sister took another sister under her wing and loved unconditionally her through her inactivity. She called this inactive sister every Sunday that she wasn’t there and told her how much she missed her. She would come to her house some Sunday’s to encourage and help her get her children and belongings to church. If the sister resisted, she agreed respectfully and told her she’d call her soon. She called often and shared her testimony and love whenever she had the opportunity. Some days this sister would come out to her car to find a note on her windshield with encouraging thoughts. She loved this sister back into activity. I’m sure there were many times she felt quiet discouragement when the sister resisted, but she never gave up.

Whatever position in Relief Society you are in, be it a Visiting Teacher or Relief Society President, we can each try to find that sister who needs the love in her life. She may not return to activity at this time- and that’s okay- at least you can show her unconditional Christ-like love. You may never know how far reaching that loving kindness can go.

1- Barbara B. Smith, “Relief Society Today,” Ensign, Mar 1980

Reprints of this article are permitted as long as it includes this byline.

We’ve been writing Relief Society (Formerly known as Enrichment) activities for over six years. We’ve helped thousands of sisters enrich the sisters in their wards with fun, spiritual and new activities.

We are now offering a Subscription for all new Relief Society Activities that fall within the guidelines set by the church.

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You will receive 1 ebook a month that is full of the new, themed, high quality ideas such as those we’ve offered in the past 6 years.

Can I Try Before I Buy?

Sure thing! We’ll send you two free ebooks from our previous collection. Simply email Shiloah Baker at pinkginghamom AT gmail DOT com.

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This is a savings of over $22 on 12 ebooks!

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Absolutely! All previously written 2010 subscription ebooks will be available for $8.95 each.

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Need more Information?

All of our downloadable Relief Society activity eBooks are pleasing to your visual senses and full of ideas to put together your Relief Society activity! These downloadable e-books are full of new and creative themed activities written for you, the Relief Society Activities coordinator!

Why eBooks?

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Shop anytime you have time; Relief Society activities eBooks are available in minutes. Always available!

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Choose from a variety of Relief Society activities with ideas and tips to get your entire meeting planned start to finish.

What is an eBook?

A PDF file that is downloaded after purchase. Once downloaded- save the file to your computer and print as needed.

No Relief Society Activities Leader, Relief Society President, or Second Counselor should be without these!

2010 Ebooks Currently Available

January 2010-

Along the Trail

ebook by Shiloah Baker

Summary:
The early pioneers who crossed the plains of America to settle in the west were doing so not only for themselves, but for future generations. These pioneers made many stops along the way and would build forts and plant seeds for food knowing they would never reap the benefits of what was planted. They were only stopping in these areas and knew they were moving on yet they were thinking of those who were coming after them.

Society today has become a “me” generation. What is to become of those who come after us? How are we remembering our posterity and planting the “seeds” to benefit those who follow when we are gone from this life?

Includes:

*Mini-class ideas with lesson
*Seed Packet Holder craft
*Decoration ideas and how to set up
*Printable Invitations

Buy it today for only $8.95

February 2010
This ebook will be available to new subscribers all of February.

Let Them Eat Cake! Relief Society Birthday Activity
ebook by Shiloah Baker

“Marie Antoinette it is believed to have first said the phrase, “Let them eat cake!” A birthday is a time for celebration and especially remembering the commemoration of the Relief Society, this birthday party is a cause for a true celebration!

Along with all the ideas needed to put this activity together, this ebook includes:

• How to Make Ice Cream Cake & Cupcakes
• Party Hat Decorating
• Decoration ideas and how to set up
• How to make sugared flowers and fruit

We even include ideas for fun, quick and easy decor, cake cliche’s and quotes in a Marie Antoinette style party theme.  This will be a Relief Society Birthday your sisters will never forget!

Price: only $8.95!

Order today!

The Women of Zion Sound
A Visiting Teaching Conference based on an ocean theme

Ebook by Shiloah Baker

Life in this world can easily be compared to sailboats sailing in a great ocean, many times battling the changing winds of life, the waves of temptation, and the storms of trials. At times these small sailboats have such a difficult time seeing through the darkness of the storm. But, there is the hope that the joy of the gospel brings, that joy will come in the morning.

Visiting teaching is a way that we can be the “lifeboat” to help sisters in their time of need. We can also be the “lighthouse” on the shoreline sharing the light of the gospel when we teach the lessons in their home as well as by living a life that exemplifies Christ.

We hope that you enjoy this Visiting Teaching Conference and that it makes your calling easier having everything together in one ebook.

This ebook package includes: class ideas, table decorating ideas with pictures, and recipes incl. Coconut Shrimp and so much more!

Price: $8.95

Send check or money order by emailing for the address Be sure to fix the @ and the dot.

Or buy and receive instantly using your credit card or paypal:

Drop Her a Line

This supplemental mini-ebook was written to give as a handout to the sisters at your activity.

This ebook contains 25 new and creative ways to keep in touch with those you visit teach and let each sister know she’s loved.

Price: $3.24

Stake Leaders
All ebooks for entire stake: $149.95

Send check or money order by emailing for the address Be sure to fix the @ and the dot.

Or buy instantly using your credit card or paypal:

By Jacque Reedholm

PURSE PURSUIT – by Marsha Jordan

Related Articles in the Homemaking Cottage Deluxe Edition

A New “Twist to Enrichment” By Shiloah Baker We aren’t trying to “twist” your arm to come to Enrichment tonight, but we’re sure you’ll have fun!…. Join to read more …. Are you a member?  Login and read	How Does Your Garden Grow? (Homemaking) By Shiloah Baker We, as sisters, are growing each day.  Our physical bodies need nourishment and strength, while our souls need spiritual nourishment, and our emotions need uplifting… Join to read more …. Are you a member?  Login and read

Use the following chart as a reference for how much to serve a large group for a party or Enrichment dinner.

Whipping Cream- 4 pints
Soup- 5 gallons
Meat Loaf- 24 pounds
Ham- 40 pounds
Beef- 40 pounds
Roast Pork- 40 pounds
Hamburger- 30-36 pounds
Potatoes- 35 pounds
Scalloped potatoes- 5 gallons
Vegetables- 4 #10 cans (26 lbs.)
Baked Beans- 5 gallons
Cabbage for Slaw- 20 pounds
Carrots- 33 pounds
Bread- 10 loaves
Rolls- 200
Butter- 3 pounds
Potato Salad- 12 quarts
Fruit Salad- 20 quarts
Vegetable salad- 20 quarts
Lettuce- 20 heads
Salad dressing- 3 quarts
Pies-18
Cakes-8
Ice cream- 4 gallons
Cheese- 3 pounds
Olives- 1 3/4 pounds
Pickles- 2 quarts
Nuts- 3 pounds sorted

By Em Yungfleisch

The theme of the night is “Stepping up to Higher Ground” to go along with our Stake’s emphasis of study this year which is “The Role of the Temple in Establishing Zion in our Homes and Lives”.

They made posters for each ward that were very simple but beautiful: with a picture of the Arizona temple lit up at night, on a gold back ground with lettering for the theme, date, and time printed on gold paper and pasted above and below the temple. It was quite striking.

The invitations for each sister were printed on paper that looks like the sky, with clouds at the top and sky blue at the bottom. It had a sketch of the temple and listed the 6 mini classes available. Each person can choose 2 to attend.

The mini classes are:

Base camp: “Teaching Gospel Principles to Children”
Staying on Course: “Personal Worthiness for Teens and Young Adults”
Traveling with the Buddy System: “Singles Are Never Really Alone”
The Trail Guide: “Stepping up Our Scripture Study”
Training for New Heights: “Preparing Ourselves for Temple Worship”
At the Summit: “Understanding Temple Covenants”
I was not involved in any of the planning, but thought some of you might like to hear what others are doing at the stake level.

By Lora Anderson

This was an incredible night, with the young women as the models for our “Fashion across the years”. We had them dress from the 1920’s,
1940’s,1960’s,1980’s to current times and then we had one of the sisters donate her wedding dress (for the evening) and had that at the very end of the show with music from each era as the girl walked down the “runway”.

We also decorated the tables the same way, each one from a different era. We had very simple refreshments since we put most our efforts into the show itself. GREAT way to bring the Young Women to R.S meetings. {smile}

By Alison B.

These are all my own made-up recipes, except for the Pinto bean fudge which is out of the cannery cookbook.

Stone Ground Wheat Bread

3 cups warm water
2 Tablespoons/pkgs of yeast
1/2 cup honey

Mix together. Let proof/rest 10 minutes.

In a large bowl mix:

1 Tablespoon salt
4 Tablespoon oil
2 eggs
7 plus cups whole wheat flour-can use 3 cups whole wheat and 4 cups white for lighter bread

Add yeast to flour mixture. Beat until well combined. Add more flour if
needed. Use dough hook to knead for 5-7 minutes or pour out onto floured surface and knead by hand for approximately 10 minutes. Let rise in greased bowl on counter until doubled in size. (About 1 hour) Form dough into 3 loaves. Place formed dough into bread pans , setting dough against 1 side of pan. (This will allow the dough to rise uniformly.) Let rise until doubled in size. Bake for 40 minutes at 350. Let cool in pan 5-10 minutes. Turn out onto wire rack to cool completely. Store in plastic bags.

Note: The crust on this bread is soft from the honey.
Makes 3 loaves.

Alison’s WW Chocolate Bundt Cake

Sift together: 3 1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
2 cups sugar or fructose
1/2 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda

Make a well in the dry ingredients and add:

1 scant cup oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 cups cold water

Mix by hand until it is mixed but still has some lumps in it. Batter will be
thin. Pour into greased bundt pan-I use Pam. Bake at 350 for 45-50
minutes-until knife inserted into center comes out clean. Cool on rack for 25 minutes.

Place plate over cake and invert. Cool completely and glaze. You can also use a 9×13 pan and bake for 30-35 minutes.

Chocolate Cocoa Glaze

Sift together: 3 cups confectioner’s sugar
1/2 cup cocoa

Add: 2 tablespoons oil
1/3 cup water

Stir briskly to remove lumps. Place paper towels around bottom of cake to catch excess glaze. Use spatula to spread glaze on top of cake. It will slide down the cake beautifully. If cake is in 9×13 pan, add a little more confectioner’s sugar to turn it into frosting.

Alphabet Soup

4 cans beef broth

1 cup water

1/2 cup cannery soup mix

2 carrots, peeled and sliced

1/2 cup onion, diced

1/2 cup celery, sliced

14.5 oz can beans and liquid

14.5 oz can tomatoes in juice (you may have a larger can)

1/3 cup corn

1/2 cup green beans

1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Bring broth and water to a boil. Add soup mix. Must do this step as written to soften soup mix. Add rest of ingredients and keep at a simmer with lid partially on for 50 minutes or until split peas and lentils are almost soft-you still want them to have a little “bite’. To keep warm, add to small crock-pot and keep on low. Makes about 10 cups. In the crock-pot it will get thicker as it sits.

Chicken Tacos

3 cans cannery chicken or pork chunks, drained
1 pint cannery salsa

Mix gently together in large saucepan until heated through. Can serve at this point on tortillas or hold in crock-pot on low until serving time. Add toppings of choice: refried beans, shredded cheese, lettuce, chopped onion, chopped tomato, sour cream, guacamole, etc.
8 servings/ about 24 tastes.

Cannery Pork Chow Mein

1 cups celery, sliced thinly(abt 4 stalks)
1 cup onion, diced
3/4-1 cups carrots, sliced thinly
1 TBL oil
1 can pork, chicken, or beef, drained-gently separate with 2 forks
1 can chow mein vegetables, drained

Heat oil in large pot, add above ingredients and saute on medium, stirring frequently until crisp-tender to your liking-about 5 minutes.

4 TBL cornstarch
3 TBL soy sauce
2 cups cold water
2 bouillon cubes-use chicken for pork and chicken, beef for the beef chunks

Pour 2 TBL HOT water over cubes and mash. Mix rest of sauce ingredients together until smooth-add bouillon cubes and water.

Add chow mein vegetables to vegetables in pot. Heat thoroughly. Add pork chunks and sauce. Gently stir over medium high heat until thick and bubbly. Serve over rice or chow mein noodles. Makes 6 cups. This recipe serve 6. (Double to fill small crock-pot.)

Summer Wheat Salad
Basic Bulgar

1 cup wheat
1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt

Put all ingredients in the top portion of a double boiler. Put water in the
bottom portion of the double boiler and bring to a boil, reduce heat to
maintain simmer. Place top portion of double boiler on the bottom pan and cook until most of the water is absorbed-about 30 minutes. Can use right away or refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

Summer Salad

1/2 cup basic bulgar
4 tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup fresh parsley or 2 tablespoons dried
1 cup chopped green onions or red or sweet onion
1 green peppers, diced

Can also add feta cheese, diced cucumber and any other vegetables you desire.

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Add dressing and toss lightly.

Dressing

1/3-1/2 cup lemon juice
3 tablespoons oil
salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in dressing. Whisk. Pour over salad and mix.
Refrigerate until it is time to serve. Basic recipe serves 4.

Peach Julius

2 cups water
peach half or 1/2 half banana
4 tablespoon powdered milk
1/2 cup cannery peach fruit drink
10-12 ice cubes

Place all in glass blender. Whirl around for 90 seconds-until all ice is
relatively smooth. Makes 4 cups.

Doris’ Whole Wheat Granola

Mix:
8 cups rolled oats
2 cups rolled wheat
2 cups coconut
2 cups wheat germ

Heat in saucepan until sugar dissolves:
1/2 cup honey
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup water
1 cup salad oil
1 tsp salt

Stir into dry mixture any of the following:
raisins
any dried fruit
any nuts

Pour onto flat cookie sheet.
Bake at 225 degrees for 2 hours, stirring every half hour.

Peanut Butter Balls

2 cups smooth peanut butter
1 cup honey
2 1/2 cups cannery powdered milk

Mix peanut butter and honey together. Add in 2 cups powdered milk. Add rest of powered milk in small increments and knead with hands until mixture forms a non-sticky ball. Pinch off 1″ amounts and roll in hands until it forms a smooth ball. Place on waxed paper or foil or in candy cups. Makes a little over 100 1″ balls. May also use chunky peanut butter.

Refried Bean Dip

1 cup cannery refried bean mix
2 teaspoon cannery dried onion
3/4 cup boiling water

Mix together. Let stand 10 minutes.

Add: 1 teaspoon oil. Stir until creamy. Add a bit more water if too stiff.

Spices: 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (depending how hot you like it)
1/4 teaspoon sugar

Add:1 teaspoon vinegar
Stir until blended. Serve with corn chips or on tacos, etc. Makes about 1 cup dip.

Pinto Bean Fudge

1 cup cooked, soft pinto beans, drained and mashed*

UP TO 1/4 cup milk

1 tablespoon vanilla

6 oz UNSWEETENED chocolate

6 tablespoons butter/margarine

2 pounds confectioner’s sugar

1/2 -1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

In a large mixing bowl stir and mash together beans and enough milk to look like mashed potatoes, stir in vanilla. Melt chocolate and butter over low heat. Stir into bean mixture. Gradually add powdered sugar. May have to knead to mix well. Add nuts if desired. Spread into lightly sprayed with oil 9″x9″ baking dish or roll into 2-16″ logs on plastic wrap-place rolls on cookie sheet.
Chill in refrigerator 1-2 hours.

*An easy way to cook dried beans is in your small crock-pot. Place 1 pound dried pinto beans, checked over for rocks and rinsed, in crockpot. just before you go to bed. Cover with 5 cups water. Cook on low all night. Test for softness in the AM. Use 1 cup for recipe when they are soft all the way through. Can freeze rest in 1 cup amounts with liquid. Or use in taco salad, refried beans, etc.

By: Shiloah Baker

In Proverbs 31:10–31, we read, “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” In those verses we are told that a virtuous woman weaves fabric, sells linen—her hands are not idle: “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.”

“The Church has always recognized the need for women to learn domestic arts. To support the sisters in developing homemaking skills, “work day” was established. That Relief Society activity day, which evolved into homemaking meeting, was held on a weekday in the middle of the day, and all the sisters attended the same class and worked on identical projects.” (1)

Homemaking is a service to our family, friends, acquaintances, and those that we know. Homemaking is a talent and as with all talents they disappear if not practiced. “It is important for all of us to learn homemaking skills; whether she is married or single, every woman is a homemaker.” (2)

Have you learned one or more valuable skills from homemaking or Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment Meetings? While these meetings are for much needed fellowshipping and socialization, it is also important to teach and to learn skills that are not often found in other places.

Put as much effort into the look and feel of the Enrichment activities as possible. If you went to a play and there were no backdrops and the actors wore little if any costumes, it would not be as enjoyable as if they put everything into the look and feel of that play. This doesn’t always mean money needs to be spent from the budget for your activity. Think of decorating ideas for the sisters to bring things from their home to add to the décor at the church or place of activity. Bringing nature indoors brings a greater appreciation for our Heavenly Father.

Remember that the sisters need to learn as well as fellowship. Enjoy being able to make a difference in the lives of others.

Works Cited:

1- Camille Curtis Anderson, “The Fruit of Her Hands,” Ensign, Sep. 1996
2- Barbara W. Winder, “Enriching and Protecting the Home: A Conversation with Barbara W. Winder, Relief Society General President,” Ensign, Mar 1986

________________________________________
Shiloah Baker has taught the art of homemaking for nine years via classes, articles and the websites she runs. The Homemaking Cottage & Co., an online business which sells books, eBooks, ideas, LDS related materials, and a special subscription service, and hundreds of free articles. For more information go to: http://www.homemaking-cottage.com