Easter 2012

 Almond Butter Cookies

Cookies, Apples, Ginger Snaps, Butterfly Crackers and Bunny Gummies in the Ladybug Egg

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Exactly a year ago I joined the Prayer Shawl Ministry at Saint Elizabeth Seton Church in Rocky Hill. It is something  I wanted to do for quite some time, and I was so glad I was able to attend that first meeting. Now that I am part of it, I look forward every month to get together, not only to crochet, but also to admire other members work. I am always amazed by everybody's colorful shawls and beautiful baby blankets.  I am also fascinated to hear the inspiring stories from the recipients of our shawls. They send us thank you cards and tell us how comforting and healing the shawls have been for them.

Typically the meeting, which lasts one hour, begins with a prayer, followed by a short business meeting including a few minutes spent chatting and catching up. As the hour winds up, a period of quiet reflection allows the members to pray, relax and contemplate the work of their hands. Each meeting ends with the members praying over the shawls and asking for God's blessings for the recipients and for the members' own special intentions.

Prayer shawls are distributed by members of the ministry to friends, families and referrals gathered through the church office. Shawls are given to the Sick and Homebound Ministry, lap blankets are donated to Hartford Hospital and more recently to members of Masonic Care, and hats, scarves and mittens are donated to St. Vincent de Paul in Middletown. Recently Baptismal blankets have become part of our ministry.

Approximately 22 people attend the monthly meeting, and to date, over 1200 shawls have been distributed throughout the community.

Some members are unable to attend the meetings, but continue their ministry at home providing knitted, crocheted, or fleece items for the parish.

Mision of Prayer Shawl Ministry

The mission of our Prayer Shawl Ministry is: "....to bring comfort and warmth of God's love to those who are suffering, and support and love to those who are experiencing a special joy in their lives. A prayer shawl can be seen as a symbolic "hug" from God"

Prayer Shawl Instructions

There are not restrictions on the shape, color or yarn used in our shawls. Like the members in our group, no two prayer shawls are alike. We have members of varied skills and abilities. Some bring years of experience knitting and crocheting, while others come in as beginners. The below patters are merely suggestions.

Crochet Instructions

(Size M or N Hook)

1. Using a soft (washable) yarn, chain 122.

2. Starting in the 4th chain Double Crochet across the row.

3 Double Crochet two additional rows

4. Single crochet one row.

5. Repeat a pattern of Double Crochet for three rows and Single Crochet for one row until the shawl is the desired length. (approximately 24" or 24 rows)

Knitting instructions

(Size 13 Needles)

1. Using a soft (washable) yarn, cast on 57 stitches.

2. Traditional method: K3, P3 each row.

3. When shawl measures from wrist to wrist, bind off.

4. Add fringe or a finished border.

Recipe Club: Breakfast Foods

Tofu Quiche

1 TB sesame oil
1 onion, diced
1/2 lb broccoli, chopped
1/4 cup mushrooms, chopped
1 lb of tofu
1 TB white miso
2 TB sesame tahini
1 TB tamari or soy sauce

Heat oil and saute onions, broccoli and mushrooms. Cover, turn off heat, and let skillet remain on burner while you prepare tofu. Blend tofu, tahini, miso and tamari until smooth. Mix with cooked vegetables. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit for 10 minutes before cutting. Serve hot or cold.

Valentine's Day Lunches

Chocolate Soy-Nut Butter Sandwich, Craisins, Chocolate covered Cashew, Red Fishies, Strawberries, Apple-Walnut Muffin

Banana-Chocolate Muffin, Peanut Butter Crackers, Black Beans Brownies, Strawberries, Almods, Heart-Shpaed Ginger Cookies

Cranberry-Orange Muffin, Heart-to-Heart Cereal, Soy-Nut Butter Mini Sandwiches, Apple, Gold Fish in Heart-Shaped Container, Ginger Chew

Peanut Butter Sandwich, Brownie, Heart-to-Heart Cereal, Baby Tomatos with Non-Dairy Ceasar Dressing, Cranberry Muffin, Apple, Gold Fish in Heart Shaped Container

January 2012

Shining Star Lunch

Almond Buttter Sandwiches, Gold Stars, Mango and Cranberry Muffin

Peanut Butter Rice Cakes, Black Bean Brownie, Kiwi, Almonds, Baby Carrots w/Non Dairy Ranch

Chocolate-Mint-Peanut Cereal Crisp, Pumpkin Muffin, Apples, Veggie Sticks, Black Bean Brownie

Chocolote Soy Nut Butter Crackers, Carrots w/Raspberry Dressing, Veggie Chips, Blueberry-Wanut Brownie, Blueberry Apple Sauce