Today is Peace Sunday in the Mennonite Church. I hope you enjoy this book of photos of people promoting peace!
Which of the ways that people share a little peace can you do today? What other actions can you do that aren’t included in this book?
Children’s Time: Add some salt!
In this children’s time, we explore what Jesus might have meant said, ” “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.'” Expect to learn some new facts about salt–and a method for working through metaphors and similes that children can start to practice on their own.
Funny Proverbs
Proverbs has a lot of humor in it. Here are some of my favorites!
Children’s time: “How I Learned Geography” by Uri Shulevitz
Today is World Refugee Sunday. As we seek to support refugees, this story about the author’s own experience as a refugee from Poland living in Kazakhstan reminds of us how our imaginations can bring us comfort even when we are far away from our familiar lives.
Children’s Time: “How Smudge Came” by Nan Gregory and Ron Lightburn
The gentle illustrations in this children’s book soften the story a bit, which may invoke complex emotions. Cindy’s friends are inspired by how much she loves and cares for her puppy. As you listen, pay attention to your feelings. When do you feel sad? worried? angry? What actions in the story make people feel safe and loved and respected?
In When Smudge Came, we see that Cindy’s friends at hospice show her love because she showed love to Smudge, which reminds me of this week’s lectionary reading: 1 John 4:7-21. Can you think of times when you were inspired to love others because someone loved you?
Children’s Time: “A Cool Drink of Water”
As we celebrate Earth Day, we hope you enjoy seeing photos from how people enjoy a drink of water around the world!
Some ways to enjoy leftover ham
Easter means ham, and that means leftover ham, which makes me very happy. At the request of a friend, I’m sharing some of our favorite ways to enjoy it:
- Ham and cheese quiche. Swiss, cheddar, and muenster are all lovely. Use a potato crust if, like us, you’re meh on pastry crusts.
- Macaroni and cheese with cubed ham. Make it fancy with asparagus (also an Easter leftover) and panko breadcrumbs on top.
- Fry ham slices with onions and pierogies.
- Breakfast cups. Shape biscuit dough into a cup in a muffin tin, then top with beaten eggs, ham, cheese, and ground pepper.
- Ham loaf. Yes, I mean it.
- Ham balls. A throwback recipe that pairs well with pineapple upside down cake and Kansas Public Radio’s Retro Cocktail Hour.
- Ham salad. Variations are endless.
- Potato hash. Use leftover boiled potatoes or shredded hashbrowns. Top with a jammy egg and a wilted bitter green like Swiss chard.
- Fettuccine alfredo with cubed ham and peas.
- Ham and potato soup–creamy, with crunchy bacon bits, sour cream, green onions, and cheddar cheese.
- Boiled red potatoes, cubed ham, and green beans in Italian dressing, served warm or cold.
- Ham and cheese scones.
- Ham, egg, and cheese bierocks.
- Grilled cheese with ham. Make it fancy with thinly sliced green apples.
- Buttered egg noodles with cubed ham and asparagus.
- Baked potatoes with ham, cheese, and broccoli.
- Dutch pancake with ham and gravy.
- Calzones with ham and ricotta
- Black beans with cubed ham.
- Scalloped potatoes with ham.
- Pineapple and ham kabobs
- Chef’s salad with ham, turkey, hard boiled eggs, and blue cheese
Sharing Box: 31 things we’re sharing in March
One of my favorite parts of my neighborhood is our Sharing Box, a small outdoor pantry where neighbors can put things to share and take what they need or want. It’s the perfect distance from our house for a walk with our dogs, and we go at least once a day.
In March, we’re working hard to add more items that women need or we think women might especially enjoy. Here are some things we’re sharing:
- menstrual care products
- favorite recipes on notecards
- small zippered bags for makeup
- lip gloss
- hand sanitizer
- masks
- nail polish
- recent magazines
- cooking utensils
- a baking dish
- hair ties
- bars of soap
- decorative candles
- craft supplies
- wrapping paper
- book of puzzles
- oil
- salt
- pepper and other spices
- Cuties
- grapefruit
- boxes of tea
- children’s books
- Vienna sausages
- granola bars
- individually-packaged cookies
- cheese-and-cracker packs
- juice boxes
- Pop-tarts
- individually wrapped bags of microwavable popcorn
- individual soda cans (provided it’s not freezing)
Children’s Time: “All Together Now” by Anita Jeram
What keeps a family together when they don’t look alike? Love!
Children’s Time: “Yes? Yo!” by Chris Raschke
The last Sunday of February brings us one more children’s picture book featuring Black characters: Chris Raschke’s Yes? Yo! It’s a lively dialogue (simple enough for early readers) about a new friendship. Hope you like it!
Family Foxhole 