Be a DC Insider!

What a great Relief Society activity! To all those interested in learning the ins and outs of DC secrets, this meeting did not dissappoint! I've lived here a year and still discovered some new places I didn't know about that I will definitely be visiting! To anyone who didn't get a chance to grab a handout, or to those that weren't able to make it, here's some of the great places we learned about. Special thanks to all the ladies that helped put this list together!

Click here to view the PDF list of places to visit in DC

Fabulous Relief Society Friday Meeting!

Come one come all to a Fabulous Friday night of crafts, cake, and friends

When: November 4th, 7 pm to 10 pm
Where: 23rd Street Chapel, 3rd Floor
What: Crafts, Cake decorating class, Book Nook, and Recipe Station

Class:

Boutique Cake DecoratingThe lovely and talented Nicole Garcia will be teaching us how to frost cupcakes like the boutiques do, how to fill and tort cakes, and tips for icing a cake. If you're lucky (or you help set up or clean up), you might get a sample.

Crafts:

Fabric Painting Designs Using fabric paint and freezer paper to stencil tote bags, or bring your own onesies, aprons, tees, etc. Why not make a hat with a little mistletoe stencil to liven up life?
COST: Free! TIME TO MAKE: 15 to 35 minutes

Holiday Heart Banner Create custom holiday banners to use again and again through the years!
COST: Free! TIME TO MAKE: 30 minutes

Coasters

Don't let mugs of hot chocolate or spiced cider mar your tables, even if you do live in a furnished apartment!
COST: $1.50 for set of 4 coasters
TIME TO MAKE: 30 minutes

Hair Bows and Flowers
You or your little loved one will never be mistaken for a boy again!
COST: $1 each (comes with clip AND band)
TIME TO MAKE: 15 minutes EACH bow/flower

Giant Craftstick Snowflakes

Just in case we have another 60 degree Christmas Day . . . .

COST: $7 for all three, or $2.50 for each large design, $2 for each small design

TIME TO MAKE: 30 minutes EACH snowflake

Holiday Glitter Trees

Put these by your stocking to blind Santa with bling.

You can choose any variety of heights: 9”,12”,15”
COST: $22 for all three or $10-15”, $7-12”. $5-9”
TIME TO MAKE: 30 minutes EACH tree

Payment and Signups due by Saturday, October 30, 2011. Please give payment to Deise Clements.

Photo's from the church history tour of the Capitol Building

For our Relief Society Activity in April, we took a church history tour of the US Capitol building. It was interesting to hear the history of our Church Prophets and their interactions with past US Presidents and members of Congress. It was actually really neat to find out where Joseph Smith and other Apostles stood in the US Capitol Building when they went to "lobby" Congress on the behalf of members of the church and the persecution they were facing at the time.

We had two tour guides, one for the Capitol history

And the other for the Church history

Thanks to everyone who came!

RS Activity on April 16th: Church History Tour of the Capitol Building 1:30pm

We hope you can join us for this fabulous opportunity!

TRAVEL OPTION A: Meet inside the Crystal City metro station by the ticket machines at 12:45pm. We'll hop on the train promptly at 1pm. There is free parking on Saturdays at the lot next to the Crystal City metro at the Crystal City Shops Parking (click here for a map) If you are unable to pay for a metro card, please email alisia.essig@gmail.com by Wednesday, April 13th so we can get you a metro card or schedule a carpool.

TRAVEL OPTION B: Meet up with the metro group inside the Capitol Visitors Center in front of the HUGE Lady Freedom statue at 1:30pm. You can't miss it! The Capitol Visitor Center—the new main entrance to the U.S. Capitol—is located beneath the East Front plaza at First Street and East Capitol Street, NE. Go here for directions.

April Playgroup Schedule

April 6- Fairlington Park (3308 S. Stafford Street Arlington, VA 22206)

April 13- Frying Pan Farm Park (2709 West Ox Road, Herndon, VA). They have quite a few baby animals who have just been born or are due soon. Check out their birthing schedule here.

April 20- Alcova Heights Park (901 South George Mason Drive Arlington, VA 22204)
April 27- Fort Scott Park (2800 S. Fort Scott Dr. Arlington, VA 22204)

January Playgroup Schedule

Weds. Jan. 5th, 12th, & 26th @ 10am - 12pm-- Playgroup will be held in the church gym. Bring toys and bikes.

Weds. January 19th @ 10 am-- Playgroup will be held at the Natural History Museum downtown, located at 10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW, in Washington, D.C. 20560. The museum opens at 10am so please try to make your way to the elephant in the main atrium by 10:15 am. More information about the museum is available here: http://www.mnh.si.edu/visit/

Fabulous Friday Recipe #2

Catherine G's Cake Pops

Check out the video on the Cake Pops Amazon page for a cake pops demonstration.

Thanks to Catherine and Kate for sharing their skills at Fabulous Friday!

Walk with Christ

Thank you to the Relief Society Meetings Committees from both Relief Societies for putting together this year's Walk with Christ packet. If you weren't able to pick one up at the kick-off meeting, you can get a copy on Sunday at Relief Society. You can also access a digital copy by clicking the image below.

The packet has quotes, scriptures, and questions to help bring us closer to the Savior this Christmas season. Enjoy, and Merry Christmas!

Fab Friday Recipe #1

Kate M’s Egg Rolls (makes about 20)

Egg Roll filing:

*1 pound ground turkey

*1 ounce of rice or mung bean thread noodles (they are dried, look like thin white strands and come in a plastic package of about 3 ounces. If you don’t want to use the noodles, substitute 2 cops of shredded green cabbage.)

*1 ½ Tablespoons minced garlic

* ½ tablespoon salt or 1 Tablespoon chicken bullion crystals (I prefer bullion)

* ¼ teaspoon black pepper

* ½ Tablespoon soy sauce

* ¼ cup finely chopped cilantro (or 1 Tablespoon dried, or to taste)

* 1 cup shredded carrots

* 1 cup shredded green cabbage

* 1 package Spring or Egg roll wrappers. These are not dried. They are fresh or frozen. I prefer fresh. They can be found in the produce section of the grocery store. Most come in a package of 20 wrappers. Egg roll are chewier than Spring Roll and fry better.

* Raw scrambled egg or water (water works as well as egg—hence, “egg roll”)

* Vegetable oil

* Sweet Chili Sauce

Follow the directions on the Egg Roll wrapper package. If frozen, they will need to thaw. Soak the noodles in a bowl of hot water or until soft. When soft, drain and cut into strips about 3 inches long (this isn’t a precise measurement). Add a little oil to a frying pan or wok. Put in all filing ingredients at once (except the egg roll wrappers). Use a spatula to constantly break up the turkey and combine all ingredients. Fry until meat is cooked, but don’t dry it out. (Most egg roll recipes don’t cook the mixture before rolling in wrappers. I prefer not handling so much raw meat and it also ensures the meat is cooked. If you mix it all together raw, you won’t have to cool it before wrapping.)

When meat mixture is cooked, it will need to cool until warm or room temperature. If too hot, it can melt the wrapper. I usually spread it on cookie sheets and put it in the fridge as I prepare the wrappers.

Heat the oil in a deep fryer or wok. You can use a frying pan, but this takes much more time and the oil doesn’t have to heat as long. Take the wrappers out of the package and keep a damp cloth or paper towel over them so they don’t dry out. Scramble an egg in a bowl or just use water. Peel off one of the wrappers and lay on a flat surface so one of the corners points towards and away from you. Put some of the meat mixture (about the size of a Lifesavers roll) on the wrapper, a little lower than the middle. Put the corner of the wrapper closest to you over the mixture and fold the other side corners over the mixture (like a burrito) and wrap. Try to wrap it tightly, but don’t tear the wrappers. You don’t want any holes on the sides. These will fill with oil when frying and the filling can come out. You want the entire thing sealed. When about 1 inch of the top corner is left, dip your fingers in the egg or water and wipe it on the corner. This will act like a paste. Continue rolling until entire egg roll is sealed.

Use tongs or a dipping spoon to put egg rolls into the oil. Fry until slightly golden brown and put on paper towels to soak the grease. The dipping sauce can be bought at an Asian store or the Asian aisle. It’s called sweet chili sauce and is the finishing touch for these babies!

Walk with Christ & Cookie Exchange

Thursday, December 2nd

7:30-pm-9:00pm

King Street Chapel - RS Room

We are so excited for you to join us for our Walk with Christ activity on December 2nd! We will be handing out a packet that will have a different thought and scripture focused on Christ for each day leading up to Christmas. We will be doing the first day together as a group at the activity and having a group discussion on the topic provided.

We are also having a cookie exchange, so, if you'd like please bring 2 doz cookies to share and we will provide plates and baggies for you to take home a fun plate of cookies for your family and/or friends! (But, don't worry, if time doesn't permit, we're sure there will be plenty of cookies for everyone even if you can't bring something!)

We are looking forward to meeting together as sisters in the ward to welcome in the Christmas season by focusing on our Savior. We hope you will all join us for a wonderful evening!

babysitting will be provided

December Playgroup Schedule

Dec. 1st @ 10 am-- King Street building gym. Bring bikes and toys.
Dec. 8th @ 10 am-- King Street building gym. Bring bikes and toys.
(We will not hold playgroup the rest of the month due to the holidays.)

Playgroup this Thursday

Assuming the weather cooperates, playgroup on Weds. November 17th will be held at Fort Ward Park (4301 W Braddock Rd Alexandria, VA 22304). If it is too cold or wet we will have to cancel, so check your emails that morning before you head out!

If you're not on the playgroup email list yet email ccwardplaygroup(a)gmail.com to be added.

Fabulous Friday Reminder

Fabulous Friday

Nov. 5
7:30 pm to ~11:45 pm
King Street building

Join us for a night of crafts, cooking, and socializing. If you haven't turned in your money yet, please get it to Ali Essig or Catherine Ladd ASAP. Even if you aren't doing a craft, please come! There will be door prizes and a free craft. Refreshments and babysitting provided.

November Playgroup Schedule

(All playgroups are at 10 am)

November 3- Alcova Heights Park (901 South George Mason Drive Arlington, VA 22204)

November 10- Penrose Park (2200 6th St. South Arlington, 22204)

November 17-Fort Ward Park (4301 W Braddock Rd Alexandria, VA 22304)

November 24- No playgroup (day before Thanksgiving)

Fabulous Friday Crafts and Classes! November 5th- 7:30-11:30pm

1) Plastic Bag Organizer - $5.00
There are also options for the plastic bag if you are interested.... if you would like to bring your own fabric, please sign up, but, indicate that you will provide your own fabric (3/4 yd) and we will provide the additional materials. you also might want to bring the color of thread that will match your fabric in case we do not have the right color available.

2) Cake Pops - Cooking Demo/ Make and Take: Starts at 8:00pm - FREE

We will be having a Cake Pop making demo, where you too will be able to learn how to make them, and you'll also get to take them! :) Please sign up if interested so that we can have a general idea of a number to plan for.

3) Felt Finger Puppets Farm Animals - $2.00

- includes: Cow, Horse, Mouse, Chicken, Roster and Pig

4) Felt Finger Puppets Jungle Animals - $2.00

- includes: Lion, Monkey, Crocodile, Elephant, and Tiger

**** all finger puppets will be pre-cut for our activity

Family Home Evening Packets - 5.00 each - Each Packet includes: Story, Picture Sheets, Game, Scripture, Treat Recipe

*** if you purchase all 4 packets, you receive the FHE Chart free
5) FHE Packet - The 1st Thanksgiving

6) FHE Packet - King Benjamin

7) FHE Packet - Mary and Joseph

8) FHE Packet - Tall Tale of Telling the Truth

9) Navy Blue Tote Bag - $12.00

10) Green Tote Bag - $10.00

11) Red Tote Bag - $10.00

**** please note that all bags will be pre-cut prior to our activity
**** if you would like to make the tote bag, but, would like to do a different matterial, please sign up and contact Catherine Ladd (catherinegladd@gmail.com) for more information.

12) Apothecary Stand - $10.00 each

13) Fantsy Felt Food - Option 1 - $2.50

*** includes 2 cupcakes, 2 sugar cookies and one chocolate chip cookie

13) Fantsy Felt Food -Option 2 - $2.50
*** includes 1 piece of cake, one sugar cookie, and 4 chocolates

*** all felt food will be pre-cut for activity

14) Cake Platter - $3.00 (see platter that 'Fantsy Felt Food' is displayed on)

15) Corn Husk Wreath - $10.00

16) Paper Floral Wreath - canceled - sorry, but, we will not be doing this craft

17) Photography Class - 8:45pm - FREE

*** please indicate if you are wanting to join this class so we can have an idea of how many people to expect. Thanks!

18) Cooking Demo - Eggrolls - 9:30pm - FREE
*** please indicate if you are wanting to join this class so we can have an idea of how many people to expect. Thanks!

19) Table Display - Bringing Christ back into Christmas

20) Table Display - Creative Gift Giving Ideas

and, of course yummy food to eat, fun friends to meet and holiday music to enjoy!

We are really looking forward to our Fabulous Friday! We hope you will all join us and bring your friends!

21) FREE CRAFT - Magnets

** if you would like to sign up via our blog, please just let us know what you would like to do in your comments or send an email to catherinegladd@gmail.com OR alisia.essig@gmail.com Thanks!