Soup, Service, Social, Saturday

Today has been a wonderful day. From 9 to 2 we met at church for a day of learning, talking, and making cool crafts.

We got a food demonstration to rival Rachel Ray in the art of making homemade dinner rolls. The yeast was poured in, the measured sugar, the beaten egg, all in neat containers ready to dump in the bowl. We watched the kneading process and one of the girls was brave enough to take a turn. That went into the oiled bowl, was covered and set by the stove. Out came the bowl set out to rise earlier and we learned what it looks like when the dough is risen enough. Then that was cut into pieces to make rolls and set in a pan, covered to let rise. Then out came a pan with rolls that had already risen and they went into the oven to bake. When they were baked we got to eat one. Ooh there is nothing so good as warm fresh baked rolls. Thank you N. for your excellent demonstration packed with information.

Our first project was to take felt-wrapped cans and glue on felt feathers, face features and feet for a turkey like no other. At Thanksgiving, the cans will be filled with practical and fun items for residents of a local nursing home. We will deliver them with a song.

We made book marks on a string with beads at each end. There were varied results from all the girls according to their individual tastes and creativity. I know I like mine and it will get used in all the reading I do.

We had a delicious lunch. There were four flavors of delectable soups to choose from. Of course, I couldn't resist -- I tried all four. I loved the corn chowder; definitely my kind of soup. The vegetable soups were tasty, too. The white chili was fun. It had chicken, black and white beans topped with cheese, diced fresh tomatoes, sour cream, and scooper torillas. You can't beat good soup! (I'm really good at making soup out of leftovers at home, while my hubby makes sandwiches out of leftovers.) We enjoyed more warm rolls. The dessert bars I took must have been a big hit -- the large tray emptied in no time.

Then we made Jacob's Ladder photo books. The papers we were offered to choose from were gorgeous and the choice was tough because of that. We got explanation of how the process worked and were given time to catch up before the next step was explained. I was thrilled to be able to punch out some coordinating designs in complementary colors to embellish my pages. I was very pleased with the result. When we looked at each others' accomplishment we saw how they all were beautiful; the same, and yet entirely different and unique.

Finally we made 'where Jesus walked' ornaments with sand, shells, a raffia tie, and bow hanger.

It was a good day. I thought everyone enjoyed the experience as well. I am very appreciative of the hard work that the organizers put in for our enjoyment. There is a lot that has to be done. Soup had to be made. The rolls baked. The desserts put together. The tables set up. Supplies shopped for and assembled. Processes understood to facilitate teaching. Clean up done. Thank you ladies for your effort and for the day.

I stopped by J's house and helped her download PAF onto her computer. We started entering data -- her info, husband's partly, parents' names. Then she could see how the family group would look, the beginnings of a pedigree chart, and the individual listing. I encouraged her to look at the print preview options for some real look-forward-to printing. I got to see her Alaska tour photos which were beautiful. She was so grateful for helping her get up and running that she just had to share a memento from her tour.

Interestingly... when I started out the sky was cloudy gray and raining. When I came home, the sky was blue, the air clear and comfortable. Like my gray feeling turning into sunshine. I went home with a smile on my face and a warm feeling flowing through me from having spent a fulfilling day. I feel blessed.