Meeting Recap - October 13, 2011

So is your home filled with the delicious smell of homemade apple pie yet?  I'm saving mine for this evening but I'm sure it will be excellent!  Today's meeting was filled with fun and fellowship as we explored "traditions". 

First a big "thank you" to the Harvest Orange table for providing the delicious breakfast this morning.  For those that bring breakfast to the meetings; we would love to have the recipes for the dishes you bring.  You can post them here in the comments section, or over on our facebook page!

Next we had our "Guess Who" game.  We finally found out who had seen George W. Bush in his underwear...Christine H.  Mystery solved!  Ask her to tell you the story some time, it is hilarious! We also found out that Tara K. is not really a blonde, Amber B. was the editor of her high school literature magazine, Karen W. is a different person when watching sports, Sara D. has traveled to Tanzania, and Katie S. plays sports right handed but writes with her left.  Did you know Colleen A. has a doctorate in mechanical engineering?  And Kristina P. spent a year of college in England, Michelle P. lived in Slovakia for two and a half years, Cara B. grew up next door to Mickey Mouse (in Orlando!), and Gayle T. is truly a cowgirl at heart and wants to live in the Midwest someday.  Yeehaw!

Other announcements:  Don't forget, the Purple Popsicle table is hosting a Progressive Dinner on Saturday, October 22 at 6pm.  They will meet at the Dunlora clubhouse.  For more information or to RSVP please email Jenn L. at jmlljc@gmail.com.

Happy Birthday to our mommies born in October: Nicole J., Erin D., Betsy S., Lauren P., and Nancy R.!

Congrats to our door prize winners!  Emily B. won the "On Time Save Time" take home dinner provided by Mere C.  Jenn L. and Nicole J. won two tickets each to Martha's Market.  Wendi Z. and Amber won some cute bags. 

Trick-or-Treating on October 31 has been moved to 3pm.  We will be trick-or-treating at The Laurels of Charlottesville,  1165 Pepsi Place. 

Our special guest for this meeting was Kristin Smoot.  Kristin spoke to us and shared her heart for Poland; specifically the Elim Christian Mission.  Elim Christian Mission is a place where "God is being incredible", according to her young son.  The Mission feeds, cares for, houses, clothes, and teaches about the love of Jesus to many people in their region of Poland.  They have a clothing ministry, serve hot meals, practice "mobile evangelism" via bus, and are all about practical ways to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the people.

The Mission supports a church, but since 90% of the congregation is unemployed, they needed to come up with a creative way to have financial support.  God provided the answer with Nativity Sets.  These handmade Nativity sets employ 20 women in the congregation, and teaches them a skill that allows them to stay home with their families while earning a living.  If you are interested in learning more about Elim Christian Mission, or if you would like to purchase a Nativity Set, please email Kristin at smootbk@hotmail.com.  Thank you so much Kristin for sharing this wonderful way that God is working in Poland!

After our speaker, Lauren B. shared with us that First Baptist Church is hosting a seminar called "Calm Christian Parenting" on November 8, from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.  This event is free and there is no need to register.  For more information visit www.CalmChristianParenting.com. 

A special thanks to Mere C. for providing a printout with some great ideas for daily, weekly, monthly, and holiday family traditions!

Next, we were treated to our first "craft time" of the year, where we made an apple pie to take home and bake!  While some of us were pie-making novices, others were experienced bakers.  Either way we all had a great time. There were some really beautiful looking pies out there ladies!  Great job!

Here is the pie recipe from today's meeting:

Homemade Apple Pie

Ingredients:
1 pack refrigerated pie crust (contains 2 crusts, 1 for bottom and 1 for top)
4 apples, peeled and sliced
1/2 to 3/4 cup granulated sugar
1.5 teaspoons apple pie spice
2 to 4 tablespoons butter
Egg wash (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine apples, sugar, and apple pie spice in a bowl or plastic zip-top bag.  Stir (or shake)  to coat apples.  Layer one pie crust in a pie dish.  Layer the apple mixture over the crust.  Cut butter into small chunks and layer over apples.  Place top crust over the pie filling.  Pinch the two crusts together firmly around the edge of your pie dish.  (Excess crust may be cut off).  With a small knife, make several slits in the top of the pie.  Brush with egg wash if desired.  Bake in oven for 30 to 45 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbling.

If anybody has pictures of their baked pie (or your family enjoying it) we would love for you to share!  Head over to our facebook page to post them. 

Thanks for another wonderful meeting!