Arm Knitting--January 5th Meeting Recap

 Happy New Year!

We kicked off our first meeting of 2016 with breakfast as usual, followed by a devotional by one of our mentor moms, Patti Ivance. We are so blessed by the presence of our mentor moms in our group.  Thank you, Patti!

After the devotional, Ashley introduced our craft project--arm knitting a scarf!  As a former creative activities coordinator for our group, I know how stressful it can be to plan and carry out a big craft like this one.  Thank you, Ashley, for all of your hard work!

First, each person selected one skein of yarn.  Then, Ashley and her sister, Lacey, demonstrated how to start knitting.  We found both ends of the yarn, pulled out two arm lengths, tied a slip knot, and looped it around one wrist.

Step 2 was the hardest for most people, but the picture below was a huge help.  It was uplifting to see so many of our members stepping up to help each other, too! We completed step 2 ten times to make a base row before moving on to the next step.

In step 3, we learned the method that we would use to knit the majority of the scarf.  After looping the "working yarn" (the side connected to the skein of yarn) over the thumb, we grabbed two strands at a time from our wrist, looped it over and put it on our other wrist until we made it all the way across the row.  Remember to keep your wrists pretty close together if you want a tight weave!

Once you got the hang of step 3, step 4 was more of the same!  We kept repeating the same motion trading the whole row of loops back and forth from wrist to wrist.  Ashley recommended making 12 rows before moving on to the next step.  I had a pretty tight weave, and ended up doing 14 to make the scarf the right length and I still had plenty of yarn leftover.  (Or maybe I just have a big neck...) ;)

Once the scarf was to the right length, it was time for step 5, "casting off".  We started by knitting two loops onto the open wrist and then dropped the working yarn, one stitch as a time, until both wrists were free.

To complete the scarf, we matched up both ends and used the tail (or the rest of the working yarn) to hand stitch the two ends together. Tie tightly on the loose ends, and voila!  New scarf!

Here is a youtube video that might help as well! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MMaw_TTxkY

I was hoping to include some examples of finished products, but you guys must be shy.  Here's mine!  I'd love to add more in--email your #mopsscarfselfie to me at mopsowatonna@gmail.com and I'll update the post! (Really....please send some in.  I'm feeling a little narcissistic with two pictures of myself in this post!)

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Our "Silver Spoon Award" winner for the week is me! (I swear, it's not rigged...) Here is the recipe:

French Toast Bake

Ingredient Checklist

1/2 cup melted butter (1 stick)

1 cup brown sugar

1 loaf Texas toast
4 eggs

1 1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Powdered sugar for sprinkling

Directions

1. Melt butter in microwave & add brown sugar....stir till mixed.
2. Pour butter/sugar mix into bottom of 9 x 13 pan....spread around
3. Beat eggs, milk, & vanilla
4. Lay single layer of Texas Toast in pan
5. Spoon 1/2 of egg mixture on bread layer
6. Add 2nd layer of Texas Toast
7. Spoon on remaining egg mixture
8. Cover & chill in fridge overnight
9. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes (covered for the first 30 minutes)
10. Sprinkle with powdered sugar
11. Serve with warm maple syrup (I don't do the syrup part)

And here's the link to the blog where I found it with step-by-step pictures and other information: http://sheldonrachel.blogspot.com/2009/03/french-toast-bake.html

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Announcements:

• At our first meeting in February, Ann VandeZande will be speaking on the topic of anger.  Please start thinking of questions you have on this topic. We will have a container out on the front table to collect your anonymous questions so our group can discuss any issues our members are facing during Ann's talk.
• Earlier this year, we collected cards and money for the Kerr family.  Shannon Kerr was in a terrible car accident back in September with two of her children. Her daughters have recovered, but Shannon's injuries were more severe. She has come a long way--God works miracles! (Follow her journey on Caring Bridge: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/shannonkerr/journal ) However, the medical costs associated with her hospitalization and ongoing treatment and therapy are extensive. To help take care of some of the costs, there is a benefit for the Kerr family.  Here are the details:
  
  Team Kerr Family Benefit
  Saturday February 6, 2016 5-9pm
  Christian Life Church
  6300 212th St W Farmington, MN
• From the official invitation:
  Join us for the Team Kerr Family Benefit. The evening will include dinner, a live and silent auction, and bake sale. All proceeds will go to the Kerr family to help with medical expenses.
  Tickets are $25/per. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance. If you are interested in advance purchase, please contact Heather- hlongawa@gmail.com or 612-741-7282
  Per our agreement with the facility, we request that only children 15yrs and older be in attendance.
  Schedule:
  5:00-7:00 Doors open, dinner, silent auction bidding
          7:15 Dinner last call, silent auction closes, Jason & Shannon
                  share
          7:30 Live auction begins
          9:00 Event closes
  Feel free to share this invitation! ---> http://www.evite.com/event/0317LH7YE6INWMDSWEPFWTTVDUU7PU?utm_medium=sharable_invite&utm_campaign=send_sharable_link&utm_source=facebook&cb=6119430591
• They are looking for help with the planning and preparation for the event as well.  Please see details below:
  SAVE THE DATE FEB. 6, 2016
  You're invited to participate in the Team Kerr Family Benefit! Our goal is to raise $50,000 with all proceeds going directly to the Kerr family medical fund. The event will include dinner, a live and silent auction, and bake sale.
  WE NEED YOUR HELP!
  1. Consider donating goods or services to be auctioned off or help pass along donation letters to businesses and individuals asking for donations. Ideas of auction items are restaurant gift cards, hotel stays, timeshares, sporting events, gift baskets, cleaning service-the options are limitless!
  *Immediate need for auction items-deadline Jan. 22*
  
  2. Where can you serve? We need volunteers for the following teams:
  Volunteers-Katie Moras (team lead)
  katie@ebeschool.com
  General Benefit Logistics-Heather Longawa
  hlongawa@gmail.com
  For financial donations to the family, please contact Heather
  Meal prep/service- Kirsten Shabaz (team lead)
  kirstenrenee2015@yahoo.com
  Auction-Gina Connell (team lead)
  gconnell@themlsonline.com
  Ticketing-Jackie Marks (team lead)
  jackiekmarks@gmail.com
  Bake sale-Traci Holm (team lead)
  zatholm@msn.com

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Looking forward to our meeting on January 19th:

This meeting is our annual MOPS University! We will start the meeting with breakfast as usual. At 9:30, we will break out into different rooms for classes. Each of the three class sessions will last approximately 25 min. We have a wide range of topics and presenters, including:
Shot in the Dark Photography
Representatives from Owatonna Christian School will speak about things to consider when selecting a preschool
Gratitude Journaling with the Mentor Moms
Self Defense
Freezer Meal Planning with Bailey Balzer
Oils
John Havelka will speak about how to save for college
Loose Leaf Tea
Roasting your own coffee
...and more!

Make sure you arrive on time to sign up for the classes you want to attend!  Some classes will have limited space available.

The EXQUISITE and SPIRITED tables are on for breakfast and the JOYFUL table is in charge of bringing snacks for MOPPETS this week. Please bring an unopened box/bag of snacks, remembering to keep allergies in mind.  Recommended items include Cheerios, Kix, Chex, Goldfish, and Ritz crackers. Thank you!