September meeting

Chapter 9: Give Your Children a Work Ethic

"The principal cause of boredom is the hatred of work. People are trained from childhood to hate it. Parents often feel guilty about making children do anything but the merest gestures toward work. Perhaps the children are required to make their beds and, in a feeble and half-hearted fashion, tidy up their rooms once a month or so. But take full responsibility to clear the table, load the dishwasher, scrub the pots, wipe the counters? How many have the courage to ask this of a ten-year-old? It would be too much to ask of many ten-year-olds because parents have seriously asked nothing of them when they were two or three. Children quickly pick up the parents’ negative attitudes toward work and think of it as something most sedulously to be avoided."

--Elisabeth Elliot

What are your views on the above quote that Kim uses to introduce this chapter? Do you agree or disagree?

In this chapter, Kim addresses teaching our children a Christian work ethic. What does that look like in our homes? In her home it involves working on her farm, pulling up fences, scraping hog floors and feeding calves. But how do I teach my children a strong work ethic when the most arduous chores on our  list are taking out the trash and cleaning off the table? This is something I struggle with and look forward to getting the groups' opinions on this topic.

Kim then states “hard work builds character.” And what is character? “Character is having the ability to see beyond this second in time and to preserve beyond what feels good. It is learning self-discipline to make your body do more than your feelings want to. It is the training the mind to overcome the flesh (74)."

Many time I find myself asking, “ Can character be taught among our not-on-the-farm-chores of table setting and wiping down the bathroom sink? " What are your thoughts on that? What are ways your family teaches character in your home?

Chapter 10: Repeating Yourself?

We can easily fall into the repeating habit without even realizing it. First-time obedience and ways to combat that detrimental habit are presented in this chapter. 

Chapter 11:Teaching a New Chore

Not only are there effective steps in teaching a new chore to our children, but considering their attitudes while performing those chores is an essential part of chore training.  Some of the struggles of the attitudes are presented in this chapter, along with Bible verses that pertain to a particular struggle.

September's Challenge: Take at least one picture from this checklist, or commit to taking one, to be entered in this month's drawing.

August Meeting


Chapter 12: Rejecting Me-Centeredness, Redeeming Time Alone

Feelings, like thoughts, must be brought into captivity. 

No one whose first concern is feeling good can be a disciple. 

We are called to carry a cross to glorify God. -Elisabeth Elliot

In this chapter, Kim discusses how we can redeem time alone . She breaks this chapter into 
several subtopics and elaborates further in each one. Below are questions to consider and discuss with the group after reading the chapter. If you don't have the book, don't worry. I highlight the reading in the meeting and bring out the points I feel will be good discussion material.


Morning:
Do you have a set morning routine to begin your day? How do you react if someone or something throws a'wrench' into that routine? 


Afternoon:
If you are a stay-at-home mom, do you require a quiet time in your household? What do you and your children do during that time?
If you work outside the home or have no children at home, do you need some time in the afternoon to refocus or have some quiet before the evening activities?


Evening:
Do you have a set bedtime routine? What bedtime routines have you established with your children?


Relationships:
We have many relationships in our lives. We need to learn that relationships are not all about us--that can be selfish love--but about Jesus to others. Your husband, your children, your extended family, your church and those in your sphere of influence are all relationships with opportunities to serve. How do you serve those whom Jesus has placed in your life? 


Friendships:
How do you maintain your friendships? Does you family establish a Hospitality Night? 


Time to Read:
Books can be a wonderful aide in our spiritual growth, or they can bring us down. How do you find time to read during the day? Be prepare to share some God-honoring books with the class.

June Meeting

Chapter 5: Attitude is Critical


"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flows the springs of life." Proverbs 4:23

"As wives and mothers, it is critical that we do not just have it together on the outside, but that we regularly examine our hearts before God and renew our minds with His Word..." -Kim Brenneman

Chapter 21: Office Day

• Ordering the Paper Monster Out of His Lair
• Managing Your Desk
• Managing your Calendar
• Managing your Computer Time
• Planning Menus
• Planning Chores
• School Planning
• Bill Paying System

Here are three recipes for homemade laundry detergent that we talked about last night. 

Tara's recipe:
http://frugallygreen.blogspot.com/2008/05/how-to-make-your-own-laundry-soap.html
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Diana Bean's recipe:
2 cups borax
2 cups super washing soda
2 bars fels naptha soap

If you want to use a different soap (such as ivory), you'd probably need to use 3 bars. Fels Naptha is larger bar and is supposed to be the best for laundry. Mix together in the food processor.
Use 1 or 2 Tbsp a load.
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Diana Burks' recipe:
1 4 lb 12 oz box Borax
1 4 lb box Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
1 box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda 55 oz
3 bars of Fels-Naptha soap (grated)
2 small containers of Oxy Clean (optional)

This made a large Tupperware full (I'm guessing 10" by 16" and maybe 6" deep. Use 1-3 Tablespoons. I use 2 especially with my husband's work clothes an have been happy with the outcome!

LFL Group: April Meeting

Chapter 4: Self-Discipline

“You can have wisdom on how to rightly live and have the most refined set of goals and well-tuned system in the world on how to get there, but if you don’t pursue your goals and implement your plans, your ideas are next to worthless.” –Kim Brenneman

Ouch.

For the past two months we have been talking about setting goals and making plans, but this chapter challenges us to stop talking and start doing.  And to get to the “doing” part requires self-discipline.

John MacArthur says it this way, “Biblically, self-discipline may be summarized in one word: obedience.” Our sin nature groans at this thought! It is so easy to give in to the flesh and do what it wants to do right now. (pg 51)

For this month’s meeting (and even the weeks leading up to our meeting), I challenge you to look at your goals and start moving toward them. Recognizing our ultimate goal should be God’s goal-godly womanhood.

Chapter 8: The Psalms-Your Spiritual Multi-Vitamin

I am embarrassed to admit this, but the book of Psalms was toward the bottom of my favorite books of the Bible a few years ago. I could never get into all the feelings and poetry of this book. I wanted stories. I wanted action. I wanted application and parables and lessons.

But then my baby daughter died.

And I found myself running to the book of Psalms. When I couldn’t verbalize what was in my heart, I would read back to God a chapter as my heart’s prayer. When I needed desperately to know that God was bigger than death, I would read through the verses and read about His sovereignty and awesomeness. And eventually my heart was opened to the beautiful praises and thanksgivings in this book and I would repeat those out loud to Him.

In this chapter, Kim encourages us to read the book of Psalms everyday and then read them to our children. She writes it is a sure cure “for many ailments of the heart and mind.”  I whole-heartily agree:).

Chapter 19: Laundry Day

Laundry…such a dirty word. But, yet, we all have to deal with it or it will deal with us.

In this chapter, Kim discusses ways she tackles her laundry and started doing the laundry “as unto the Lord.”  She challenges us to …

Learn to love laundry. Study how to do it correctly, and make it an art!

I know many of you have started making your own laundry detergent. I want to hear the scoop (*snort*) on how this is working for your family. Bring your recipes and hints to the next meeting, so we can share about our experiences…the good, the bad and the dirty (*double-snort*).

Recipes I

Recipes I

Below are recipes that Tara L. graciously sent to share with everyone.  I think I am going to try the Italian Noodle Chicken this week:)! Thanks, Tara!

Cashew Chicken Broccoli Stir-Fry

Sauce

            ½ cup chicken broth

            ¼ cup creamy peanut butter

            2 TBL soy sauce

            1 TBL honey

            Dash of ground red pepper

Vegetables and Chicken

            4 cups broccoli florets

            3 stalks celery, cut diagonally into ½” slices

            3 green onions with tops, cut into 1” pieces

            2 tsp finely chopped, peeled gingerroot, divided

            1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1” pieces

            4 tsp vegetable oil, divided

            2 garlic cloves, pressed, divided

            2 packages ramen noodles, any flavor

            1/3 cup cashews or peanuts

1.      For sauce, combine chicken broth, peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, and ground red pepper in small bowl.  Mix well.  Set aside.

2.      For vegetables and chicken, cut broccoli, celery and green onions.  Finely chop peeled fresh gingerroot.  Set vegetables aside.  Cut chicken into 1” pieces.

Heat 2 tsp of the oil in stir-fry skillet over high heat until hot.  Add chicken, 1tsp of the gingerroot and 1 garlic clove.  Cook and stir 6-7 minutes or until hot and chicken is no longer pink.  Remove from skillet; keep warm.

2.      Reduce heat to medium-high.  Heat remaining 2tsp oil in same skillet.  Add broccoli, celery and remaining gingerroot and garlic.  Cook and stir 2 minutes.  Add green onions and continue cooking 2 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender.  Return chicken to skillet.  Stir in sauce; bring to boil.  Remove skillet from heat.

3.      Meanwhile, bring 4 cups water to a boil in small saucepan.  Break noodles and add to boiling water (discard seasoning packets).  Cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally; drain.  Stir noodles into chicken mixture.  Sprinkle with cashews.  Serve immediately. 

Yield:  4 servings

Cheesy Potato Soup

1 quart water

5 chicken bouillon cubes

4 medium potatoes, chopped

2 carrots, shredded and thinly sliced or grated

½ onion, finely chopped

Cook all the above until tender, then add:

1 cup milk

¼ cup corn starch (mixed well into the milk)

Cook on low until thick, then add:

½ pound Velveta cheese

Add garlic and pepper to taste

Chicken Pot Pie

   

1 Box Pie Crust

1 tsp. dried celery salt

12 oz. Frozen Classic Mixed Vegetables

Diced potatoes

10 3/4oz Can Cream of Mushroom Soup

Cup of milk

Corn start (to make swirly)

2 Cups Shredded Colby (or Colby Jack) Cheese

2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (or buy a precooked rotisserie and pull meat off)

1 Clove Garlic, Pressed or Chopped

Make crust according to recipe on box.  Add celery salt to your pie crust, but be sure not to over-mix.  Boil (or bake) chicken until fully cooked.  Chop or shred (based on your preference).  Meanwhile, pour frozen vegetables in pan.  Cover with water.  Boil for 8-10 minutes, until al dente.  Drain.  Meanwhile, make swirly.  Add  3/4c milk to small pan.  In separate bowl, mix together remaining 1/4 c milk and 2 TBL cornstarch.  Mix well.  When milk on stove gets hot, add swirly and stir until thick.  To large bowl, add soup, swirly, cheese, chicken, vegetables, and garlic.  Place one crust in pie plate.  Pour mixture into crust.  Top with remaining crust.  Bake at 375 for 45 minutes or until golden brown.  Wait 10 minutes.  Serve.

Italian Noodle Chicken

Multi-colored spiral noodles

Bottle of Italian salad dressing, may be fat-free

3 Boneless, Skinless chicken breasts

Parmesan cheese

            In crock pot, place raw chicken and pour salad dressing over it.  Cover and cook on low/medium for 6+ hours.  When ready to serve, boil noodles according to package; drain.  Shred chicken with forks while in crock pot.  Add noodles and stir.  When on plate, add fresh Parmesan cheese.

Macaroni and Cheese

1 lb box penne pasta

¾ lb sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

½ lb Gruyere cheese, shredded

½ cup Asiago cheese, shredded

3 TBL unsalted butter

3 TBL all-purpose flour

2 cups milk

½ tsp onion powder

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Coat a 2-qt broiler-safe baking dish with cooking spray.  Bring a large pan of water to boil.  Salt water after boiling.  Once water boils, add penne pasta and cook 6 minutes; drain.

 In a large bowl, toss together the cheeses.  Set aside.

Meanwhile, melt butter in medium-sized saucepan over medium heat.  Whisk in flour until smooth and slightly bubbly.  In a thin stream, whisk in milk.  Stir in onion powder, salt, and cayenne.  Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.  Reduce heat and simmer 3 minutes.  Remove from heat and whisk in 2-1/2 cups cheese mixture.

In pasta pot, stir together cooked penne and cheese sauce.  Pour ½ of the mixture into prepared baking dish.  Sprinkle with a generous cup of the cheese.  Spoon remaining penne into dish and top with remaining cheese.

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.  Increase oven temperature to broil and bake an additional 3 minutes until top is slightly browned.  Cool slightly before serving.

*Note:  This can be all thrown into a crock pot instead of the oven and cooked on low all day if you desire. * 

Chicken Pesto Pasta

2T olive oil

16oz (1 box) angel hair pasta

1 small onion

2 cloves garlic, pressed or finely chopped

½ c  butter

1 ½ TBL flour

2 cups ½ & ½  (I use fat-free)

1 ½ C Romano or Parmesan Cheese

1 c Pesto

Rotisserie chicken

Shitake mushroom caps, sliced

1 pkg sundried tomatoes

1 can artichoke hearts

Toasted pine nuts

Heat oil (med heat) and sauté onion.  Stir in garlic and butter.  In small bowl, dissolve flour in ½ and 1/2, then stir the mixture into the pan with onions, garlic, and butter.  Season with salt and pepper and simmer for about 4-5 minutes.  Add cheese until melted.  Stir in the pesto and let cook for about 2-3 minutes.  Add the mushrooms, tomatoes, artichokes, and chicken and let cook for about 4-5 minutes.  In the meantime, cook the pasta and drain.  Add the pasta in with everything and get it nice and mixed up with all of the ingredients.  Let cook for 1-2 minutes and it’s ready to go.   

Helpful hint:  I like to prep everything a couple hours ahead of time so I don’t feel so rushed.  For example, I pull the meat off the chicken, chop the tomatoes, mushrooms, and artichoke hearts.  I combine all these in one big bowl.  In separate small bowl, I chop the onion.  Having everything prepped before hand makes this BIG meal come together so quickly. 

Enjoy!!!  This will serve about 8 people.  I like to serve this with a Focaccia  bread.  All the veggies are already included, so it’s a complete meal.  

Blessings and joy!

March Meeting

March Meeting

This month we will be talking about meal planning and organizing our kitchen.We will cover Chapters 3, 20 and 44.  If you don’t have the book, below is a synopsis of each chapter, along with questions to think about and discuss.


Chapter 3: Systems ( We ran out of time and did not cover this in the last meeting).


In this chapter, Kim Brenneman discusses systems we may have in our household and the need to recognize good systems and not-so good systems.

What are some of the good systems that you have established?

 What are some not-so-good systems?

Chapter 20: Kitchen Day

"The kitchen is key to effective home and time management."

Deniece Schofield (LFL)

This chapter focuses on kitchen organization.  Kim tackles the dilemma of how we can keep our kitchen areas clean and clear of clutter. She challenges us to "train (our) eye to constantly evaluate the clutter factor in (our) most important workplace."

Kim then presents the idea of scheduling a Kitchen Day one day a week. This is the day you will concentrate on big kitchen tasks and cleaning your kitchen. She gives examples of kitchen cleaning chores and how to get your children involved in helping in the kitchen. "Big families make big messes" and she suggests that by keeping a day focused on your kitchen, you will not be overwhelmed with all those messes.

Do you have a set way you clean the kitchen?

 Do you fight keeping your kitchen and counters clutter-free? If not, what are some ways you keep your kitchen and counters clutter-free? How do you get your children involved in cleaning the kitchen?

Chapter 44: Meal Planning

Kim points out that "there are 1095 meals a year that we as home managers are responsible for. Food, presentation, etiquette and conversation direction are responsibilities we need to take seriously as the matrons of our homes." 

In this chapter, Kim offers several ways to meal plan and gives several reasons why that will benefit our family. She also gives hints on ways to  save money in the grocery store.

How do you meal plan? Do you have a budget? How do you stay on budget? What are some struggles you may have with meal planning?

Do you cook ahead or freeze your meals? What are some suggestions you can share on how to avoid eating out?

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We have three mothers that have agreed to share at this meeting. I am so excited that they will be presenting how they make it work with their families. We are all different and I think it will be encouraging to hear how other mothers feed their families. 

Remember to bring your favorite recipes or menus to share with the group. You don't have to make a copy for everyone. If you will bring me a copy, I will scan/type it and post it on this blog for everyone to refer back to after this meeting.

Hope to see you in a couple of weeks. 

Blessings and joy!