I got a wonderful email this morning from Melinda.  Check it out:

Hi Natalie!

I thought I would send you a quick email to let you know what an impact your idea for Project Feed Me has had. As I had said in an email before Christmas….we are going to continue the project all year here….and our local paper heard about what we are doing and they did an article which is in today's paper….Thanks again for the great idea!

Melinda

http://www.thewesternstar.com/index.cfm?sid=319441&sc=25 

This is so awesome. I love that Melinda and others around her are continuing the project all year round. 
Thank you for your example! You guys are awesome!!

Ever seen what about bob?  Remember this clip? That is how I felt this weekend, only with baking. Dave was out working in the garage and I went out and said…honey, I'm a baker…I bake.  He looked at me kinda weird and said what he thought I wanted to hear….oh, good job honey! lol! We had a FUN FUN weekend!  Here are some ( a ton) of pictures! (Sorry for the horrible quality. We have still not found the charger for our good camera, so the only camera I have is an OLD crapy crapy one that I can barley get to focus)

I spent the morning on Friday printing out yummy recipes.

I three hole punched them so I could add them to my future recipe book.

I love Christmas time because when I get home there always seems to be something waiting for me at my front door!

After I opened up the packages, I turned on the fire place, got my lap top and turned on my favorite Christmas music. After Renee sent me an email about personalizing a cook book, I remembered that my mother in-law had done this same sort of thing for me a few Christmas's back. I just had to find it! Since I haven't ever loved cooking/baking and haven't had a kitchen to cook or bake in I haven't put it to use just yet.  It is perfect though! Just what I needed! Thanks Julie!

Tabs for all the different categories

She had set it up perfectly! I added my new Christmas cookie recipes to the book and got started!
Dang my stupid old camera. Blurry every time. It's not me I swear!

In junior high and high school, our cooks would make Molasses cookies that were to die for. They were my all time favorite cookie so I decided I would give making them a try.

I'm messy.

I had to try the dough. I look cross eyed in this pic! lol

Finished product. Oh, they are so cute huh? Or am I just proud I baked something that didn't come from a premade mix?

Yum! They were really good. A little strong in the molasses area, but very tasty.  Dave didn't like them  much. He is more of a chocolate chip kinda guy.

Later that day, I wrapped Dave's Christmas presents and put them under the tree.  His are the ones with actual wrapping paper. The other perfectly square red and green boxes are just decoration.

Later that night we went and saw Avatar. It was really good. I loved it. I didn't think I'd like it that much, but seriously I loved it. The graphics were amazing.  Ever since I've known Dave, I've had a new appreciation for computer graphics. Since I now kinda understand how it works, it AMAZES me when something is done so well. This show was amazing visually and had such a great story. I seem to think everyone will like it!

Saturday was spent laying around watching movies for most of the day. Have you seen "The Holiday"…what a cute movie. I really liked it. Later in the day Dave worked on his four wheeler and I did some more baking.  Ever had Magic Bars? I think they really are magic.

They consist of  a buttery gram cracker crust, sweet and condensed milk, butterscotch chips, chocolate chips and coconut.  OOOOHHHHHH MMMMYYYYYY GGGGGOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHH these things are the best dessert I have ever tasted!

Would you think we were crazy if I told you we ate 12 of the 15 bars in just 2 days? That's 3 bars a day each. I think it was more like 4 for Dave 2 for me.  They are so good. Oh my. It was impossible to not eat them. IMPOSSIBLE I tell you.

Later that night, we headed to the mall to get some presents to complete our Christmas shopping yippe!  Look what else we got…
I Love yummy smelling soaps! 3 for $10…awesome!

After shopping we went to Olive garden where we split a meal. My grandma gave us a gift card and since spilt a meal, we will be able to go to eat twice with just one card! It was perfect and even though we split the meal, we left completely full!!

Last but not least when we got hoome, we put up Christmas lights on our pillars!! You can't really see them too well cus of the stupid camera but you get the idea.

Although you can't tell, the lights look really cute. I was super happy we got them up…just in the nic of time.

One more thing….I know I said I was going to deliver my PFM food this weekend, but there has been a change in plans.

On Wednesday night I saw a story about a family on the news whose home had caught on fire. They had no insurance and had lost everything. To make matters even worse, this was not their first tragedy this year.  Two months ago they had a 9yr old daughter die from swine flu complications. My heart broke as I listened to this story. After we turned off the tv and went to bed, I laid there not being able to sleep feeling so upset and heart broken for this poor family.  I wished there was something I could do. Just as I soon as I realized there wasn't much I could do..I had an Idea and realized there WAS something I could do. 

I took some time Thursday and Friday calling family, friends and co-workers asking them if they had any items around the house that they would be willing to donate to the family. They have nothing and need everything.  I figured everyone has something lying around the house, extra towels, blankets, bowls, etc.!  Yesterday we had a family party and I was able to gather a TON of stuff. Today at work people have been bringing me tons of stuff too!  Dave and I plan on delivering the items this Wednesday to the family.  What does this have to do with PFM you ask? Well, I decided that instead of dropping my items off at the bank, I would give them to this family.  My sisters and parents are doing the same thing.  It worked out perfectly, almost like it was supposed to be this way.  Because of Project Feed Me, between me, my sisters and my parents, we will be able to give this family over 100 items of food.  Not to mention hundreds of house hold items that everyone has pitched in to donate. I know most of you don't live in Utah and aren't able to donate any items, but if you can and would like to help, you can make donations to a pay pal account set up in their name.  Here is the account name: shahlufu@gmail.com . Any amount, even a dollar will help!  Or if you know any family or friends in Utah that may want to help, please spread the word!

I'll make sure to take some pictures of all the items that are donated. It seriously blows me away how willing people are to help! YOU are one of them. Thank you all for your efforts with PFM and with this family.  It is so wonderful to see people pull together to help those in need!  Like I said, our weekend was awesome. It was filled with everything christmasy and joyful. 

I plan on making another batch of the oh so magical magic bars tonight to take to my grandmas Christmas party.  These suckers are too good not to share! (and too dangerous to leave hanging around the house).  I also hope to get a little run in before the party BUT we are closing on our house today so I don't know if there will be time.  Ya, I haven't mentioned it, but we haven't close on our house yet. Crazy right? We have been in it for 6 weeks rent free and are just now closing. It has been a NIGHTMARE trying to get everything worked out since it's a short sale, but in the same breath it has been in our favor because we got to live for free for 6 weeks and we got a super low interest rate!  

I hope you all have a MERRY MERRY Christmas week! HO HO HO!!

PS…. If you live in Utah and would like to donate any items to this family, it's not to late. Please call me. I am not delivering the items until Wednesday afternoon. If you can't make it to me, I'd be happy to pick up the items from you!

QA: Since I'm now a baker (ha ha), I'd like some great baking Ideas.  So,what is your favorite holiday treat??

This email made my day….

"Hi Natalie!
I just wanted to share a pic with you ….we participated in the Project Feed Me at our workplace at a local beverage container recycling center. We loved it so much that we are going to carry on with project all year thru! Thanks for inspiring us!
Take Care and have a Merry Christmas!"

Melinda and the gang

Melinda and gang…thanks so much for participating! You guys are awesome. I love this picture!  How wonderful that you are continuing to keep PFM alive! You guys are AWESOME!!

Nicole over at Healthy Chow has been so great sending me pictures and updating me on your PFM progress throught the entire 9 weeks and I have loved it!  Here are her cute pics! Thanks so much Nicole! You're awesome!

Thank you for sending me your pictures guys! Keep em coming!!

My go to girl Cindy at A Sparkle Day sent me these cute pictures yesterday and I couldn't wait to share them! She told me she tried to get JJ her little boy to sit still long enough to get him to pose but he just wanted to play with the food and tell her to cook.  Too cute! Thanks so much for your support and friendship!

Faith from Thought 4 food also sent me a picture of her PFM stash! Faith has been so great to help get others involved just like the rest of you and I can't thank her and everyone else enough.  Here is Faiths PFM collection:

ps…love your table Faith, its beautiful!!
pss…I just found out what gender baby my sister is having! I'm so excited I can't stand it. I'm not sharing yet because I want to make sure she gets to tell everyone before I go blabbing it to the world!! CONGRATS SISTER!!
psss… We just had a work luncheon at an all you can eat brazilian restaurant where they bring you every meat you can think of. I think I ate enough for the rest of year..or my life. It was fun and really good though..

Yay, more PFM pics!  This first picture was sent to me by Krista from Krista's Kravings.  I love that she got her kids involved and excited about the whole thing! I remember my parents helping us kids participate in sub for Santa's or other service at Christmas time. It really helped teach us about the true meaning of Christmas!
Thanks so much for your support and excitement Krista! Love the picture!!

This next picture is from Tasha from The clean eating mama. She donated the first batch of food pictured at a local food Drive in November.  The second picture is of her sweet little boy and the rest of the food she had gathered!  I love this picture of her little boy….so adorable!  Tasha has been so supportive and excited about PFM and has helped many other people get involved! Thanks so much for all of your efforts!!

Thank you both for sending me your pictures! I love them!  I wanted to donate our PFM items on Saturday and  had them in the car ready to go, but after a CRAZY night (I'll post about it later) it just didn't happen. We set a date for this Saturday so for now, that is the plan!  

I am still short about 160 pictures from all of you, so if you haven't yet sent me your PFM picture…..I'm hoping you are all like me and just haven't had a chance to deliver your food quite yet, or you delivered it this weekend and are getting ready to send me your picture any minute!  I can't wait to see them!! Happy Monday!!

How cute is that?  This is my sister Erin and my  niece Kamryn (kam kam).  They are a few of my favorite people!

I love this picture! What a cute idea to spread it across the fireplace.  Erin is SO creative. To the point where you have to realize you will never be able to do ANYTHING as cute as her and just accept it and not let it make you feel bad. lol, but seriously!  She married my brother 10 years ago and ever since they started dating I considered her my real sister. She has been there through all of my unhealthy eating and exercise past, trying to help me change, giving me advice and suggestions (that I never took). I complained to her about weight loss, exercise and much much more throughout the years. She was always given me wonderful advice and tried to point me in the right direction. Unfortunately, I never applied the things she suggested. I just went about my unhealthy way, unhappy and unhealthy. We've talked in recent moths about the healthy changes I have made and concluded that before I was able to apply any healthy advice or make any changes, I had to be ready. I had to realize that I needed to make changes and make them for the right reasons. She has helped me so much along this journey and is a great example of someone who lives a healthy, balanced and happy life. Plus, she is my go to girl for decorating of all kinds! Did I mention she is the fashion queen too? ya, she's pretty much perfect!  Thanks so much for supporting and participating in PFM!  Love ya! ps…happy birthday kam kam!

My sissy Jacqueline  (and her baby  in her belly). She is glowing isn't she? What a babe! Thanks for sending me your pic shell (that is her nick name). I hope I get a whole heck of a lot more pictures this week from all of you!! DO NOT FORGET TO SEND THEM!!  Loves..

I can't believe we have reached the final week of Project Feed Me! Time has flown by! Every week of this project has been a blast and I have LOVED, LOVED, LOVED being a part of it! Can you believe we are only 3 three away from Christmas? I don't know about you, but I am super excited!! For me Christmas is the most fun when we are doing and giving to others! 

The first Christmas Dave and I spent together is one I'll never forget. We wanted to do some sort of Christmas service project but didn't have too much money to spend.  We headed to all a dollar and bought a bunch of items to go in back packs to give to the homeless.  We bought underwear, socks, tooth brush and paste, deodorant, soap, and the made PB&J's to throw in as well.  Once we finished packaging them all up we got in our car and drove around the city. We name the packages "bum" packages and had a riot laughing about all night long! We stopped at freeway entrance and off ramps and passed out these packages to homeless people on the side of the road.  I can still remember the feeling I got when we gave these people the small bag of items.  It is something I will never forget, and a priceless experience that Dave and I shared together. It brought us closer together and helped us truly enjoy everything that Christmas is.

I can't tell you how excited I am to gather up all of my food and take it to the food bank this week!

Recommended food item #9: 2 boxes of rice

(Sorry for the generic picture, I still can't find my camera charger EEK!)

I choose Rice A Roni because I have so many these on hand and can definetely give a bunch away . My parnets stocked us up with a ton of food when we moved into our new home and I have plenty of these to spare!!

Since this is the last week of Project Feed Me, I thought I'd do a recap on all of the recommended food items from week 1-9, in case you may have missed anything along the way.

Week 1
2 cans of chili

Week 2
2 cans of tuna fish

Week 3
2 boxes jac mac and cheese

Week 4
2 boxed meals

Week 5
2 jars of peanut butter

Week 6
2 cans of beans

Week 7
2 cans of fruit

Week 8
2 cans of veggies

Week 9
 2 boxes of rice

Ta da! All nine weeks!  Wow! I had a blast looking through each weeks posts and reading all your comments! You guys are AWESOME!!  I want to personally thank each and every one of you for your participation and support!  I am so happy with all we were able to accomplish in just nine weeks. I hope throughout this process you have felt the spirit of service and have been filled with peace and joy because of it!

Project Feed Me has a total 168 members! Incredible!  At the end of this week when we all take our items to the food bank, we will have donated over 3024 cans of food!  AMAZING!!

Thank you so much for all of your efforts! Thank you for spreading the word, for caring enough to participate and for sacrificing your time and finances to serve others.  You deserve a big GIANT hug!  Consider THIS my GIANT hug to you! Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU!

Project Feed Me Fun
This week's PFM fun is not really a suggestion…it is a MUST DO.  I am begging you to take a picture of you and your PFM stash before you take it to the food bank.  I would love to see and post all 168 pictures!   It would be so fun to see all the PFM participants with their goods getting ready to deliver them! 
So, my final request is this…gather your items, take a picture and then send it to me!!!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION!
I hope we can all continue to love, serve and give to those around us.
"In as much as you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me."

Merry Christmas!! xoxo

QA:
What is your favorite Christmas giving/service experience??

Katie from Yes I want Cake sent me a picture of her PFM stash last week! (THANK YOU!!) Katie is such a sweetheart and has such a fun blog that I love reading! She is a 3rd grade teacher and last week her school had a giant food drive. To show her 3rd grade class how easy it is to collect canned goods, she brought all her PFM items and donated them!  She said i f the teacher can do it…so can they!!  What a great way to lead by example and get them excited!  Thanks so much for sending me your picture Katie! Sorry for taking forever to post it. I finally have internet and am slowly getting back to normal!

I hope you all had a wonderful thanksgiving! I can't say that I'm happy to be back at work after sucha long break. I am however grateful I have a job.  It's so easy to take for granted everyday things like our jobs, homes, and the food we eat.  Sometimes it's easier to complain and feel bad about the things in life that aren't perfect, but in all reality, we have it so good!

Recommended food item week #8:  2 Cans of Veggies

I asked Dave if he'd let me take a picture of him for this weeks PFM photo. I thought it was fitting for him to be in the picture since canned green beans are the ONLY vegetable he can eat with out dry heaving.  He was so sweet to pose for the picture this morning, even when I could tell her really didn't want to!  Like most of us, Dave hated veggies when he was a little boy. Problem is, he never grew out of hating them. The taste of ALL veggies makes him quiver. He always looks at the veggies I'm eating and thinks they look pretty, but any time he gives them a try his taste buds tell him other wise.

The reason I chose green beans for my PFM donation,is just in case someone who hates veggies as much as Dave is given my cans of veggies.  Dave says that canned green beans are the mildest of all veggies and that most people who hate veggies can tolerate them. Feel free to chose any canned veggie you would like.  Since these veggies were so cheap, we picked up quite a few! Do what ever you feel comfortable doing!

I can't believe we are nearing the end of PFM. I am so excited to deliver my food to the food bank! ALSO…please don't forget to take a picture of your PFM stash before you deliver it, I'm dying to see them!!  Thank you so much for all your efforts!!  Have a wonderful week!!

ps…We STILL don't have Internet. Comcast is 10 days out on installation. WTFREAK!  We might go through another company and get it today, but I'm not for sure.  So if you have contacted me with no response, please don't think i'm ignoring you! Feel free to contact me at natalie.k.shaw@l-3com.com for a quick response.