I Should Explain...

Christine's leaders for Young Women have started a focus on preparing the Laurel class to go away to college and eventually be in charge of their own homes.  Their class activities once a month are centered around this.  They each have a binder with all kinds of helpful hints, ideas, how-to's, recipes, sewing, laundry etc. and add to it each month.

As a mom, I LOVE this.  You know how great daughters are, but sometimes they are too busy to listen to their mothers when we try and teach this kind of thing.  I think it's a brilliant idea to reinforce what is learned at home.

This month (two weeks ago), their activity was on learning a simple quick meal, menu and meal planning, and how to hem and sew on a button.

One of their leaders started with the Mexican Beef and Noodle Skillet.  She had the girls divide up and cook it.

While it was simmering, I taught the Menu and Meal Planning portion.  I will post my handouts next.  I had a worksheet for them to learn to begin.  First they had to list everything in a certain category that they could make or wanted to learn to make (perhaps a recipe from their mom, grandma, aunt, friend, show, etc.).  Then list the ingredients they would need for it on a Grocery List.  We talked about how you will spend less money and time if you plan at least weekly your daily menus.  You will know exactly what you need, and it takes the guess work out of what are you having for dinner when it's 5pm and you are scrambling around doing homework, studying for a test, or have a family to take care of.

We also talked about how important it is to set the table.  Even if it's just for one.  I told them the about my cousin, Britta, who didn't marry until she was 40 and how she made meal time nice so she would feel special.  She would set the table for herself with a nice placemant and place-setting and then while she was eating she would read the Ensign and also be fed spiritually.

Next, was a workshop on sewing a basic hem and a button. Good tips and handout and they each had a piece of fabric that had been prepared to be hemmed with a needle and thread and a button to sew on after.

It was a great evening.  Thanks Leaders!