Seeds, Life, Herbs and Spaghetti

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Erin

Advice from my mom: “Your kids may be too young to learn about S-E-X but they’re definitely old enough to learn about the birds and the bees.”

Her point? If kids start learning young about God’s plan for life– in an age-appropriate way– then when the time comes to have “the talk”, they won’t be surprised, but instead will be ready, haven been given a framework on which to hang these ideas. Plus, she also says that as a parent, you have to become the “expert” to your kids– so that when they hear something at school, the first thing they’ll think is “Well, my mom knows a lot about this, so I’m going to go home and ask her.”

My mom’s pretty smart, isn’t she?

So, how do you teach preschoolers about the birds and bees? You teach them about life!

This Spring, we’ve been growing our own patio herb garden. We started out by going to the store and buying pots and seeds. I let my kids pick the pots they liked and the seeds they wanted to grow (my daughter picked the packet that had the prettiest pictures, my son picked the biggest seeds). When we got home, we talked about how God can take a tiny seed and with proper conditions, turn it into a plant. We planted and fertilized the seeds and diligently watered them. A few weeks later, the plants sprouted. More water, fertilizer and sunshine and they started to grow. And now, two months later, we have beautiful, thriving herbs– herbs that we can use for spaghetti sauce, salads, pizzas and more.

But the fresh herbs are just the added bonus. The best part of this little family project is the questions it has brought forth. Here are a few of the things my kids have asked:

From Kate (age 4): Mommy, if I didn’t water my plants, they would die, wouldn’t they?

From Joey (age 6): Why does it take so long for God to make plants grow? Why can’t they just pop up overnight?

And, the doozy, from Joey: Do animals and people grow from seeds just like plants do? (I admit I had to call my mom before I answered this one… but I did come back to Joey and tell him that yes, in fact, God does take a seed from a man and a seed from a female and join them together to create a life. Glad my mom helped me with that one!)

Anyway, this has been such a great project that has helped my kids to ask great questions… and has started great conversations.

Question for you: What do you do to teach your kids about God’s creation of life?

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Pasta Primavera w/ Asparagus and Turkey Sausage

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Erin

1 lb. penne pasta
1 bunch asparagus
1 lb. turkey Italian sausage
1 pkg. fresh sliced mushrooms
1 red onion, sliced
6 oz. fresh mozzarella
Fresh basil & oregano, torn
salt & pepper to taste

1.  Cook pasta in boiling, salted water according to the package directions.  2 minutes before pasta is done, add asparagus to water and blanch.  Drain pasta and asparagus together.

2.  Meanwhile, place sausages in large nonstick pan and cook until cooked through.  Remove from heat and set aside.

3.  Add onion and mushrooms to pan.  Cook until tender.

4.  Slice sausage.  Add to pan and cook 1 minute until warmed through.  Toss sausage mixture with pasta and asparagus.  Add herbs and mozzerella at the end.

4.

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The 20 Minute and $8 Skirt (Really)

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Erin

I’m not a seamstress.

I AM, however, a see-something-I-like-and-try-to-replicate-it kind of girl. So, when I saw a cute two-layer skirt at the mall that cost $46 (!) that I really, really wanted for Kate, I decided to try to make my own. And here’s the thing: It cost me less than $8 to make and took me less than 20 minutes AND anyone could make this even if you’ve never sewn a thing in your life. I promise. My four-year-old helped me.

What to buy:

*  1/2 yard of cotton calico fabric (I bought mine at Hobby Lobby.  It was 30% off and cost $5.99/yard to begin with)
*  3/8  yard of a coordinating but not matching calico fabric (Again, Hobby Lobby)
*  3/4 yard of 3/4 inch wide elastic
*  1 pkg single fold bias tape (that matches the fabric) or 1 pkg ric-rack (2 yards total)

How to Make it:

1.  Measure your child’s waist.  Take fabric #1 (the one you bought 1/2 yard) and cut it into a rectangle that’s width is DOUBLE your child’s waist size.  The length is up to you.  Kate’s skirt in the picture above is 12 inches.  You can go longer or shorter.  Kate’s rectangle measured 35 inches X 12 inches.

2.  Take fabric #2 (the one you bought 3/8 yard) and cut it into a rectangle that’s double your child’s waist in width and 3 inches SHORTER than the rectangle you already cut.  Kate’s second rectangle measured 35 inches X 9 inches.

3.  Carefully sew bias tape or rick rack onto the hem of each piece of fabric.

4.  Once both fabrics have a hem, place the SHORTER rectangle on top of the LONGER rectangle (both print-side down) and sew them together along the top edge.

5.  Turn the fabric around and iron them out flat so the shorter layer hangs neatly over the longer layer.

6.  Fold the ironed fabric in half width-wise right-side in and pin the hems so they match.

7.  Measure one inch from the top of the skirt, then stitch along the edge down the open seam, leaving an inch at the top open for the elastic.

8. Then, go back to the top and sew a casing for the elastic, 1 inch from the top of the skirt.

9.  Use a safety pin to thread the elastic through the casing.  Stitch it to the desired size and then close the hole with a zig-zag stitch.

Easy, peasy, right?

Some more photos to inspire you to get sewing!

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You’re Invited to A Twitter Party… and you could win a $25 Gift Card!

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Erin

You’re invited to a TWITTER PARTY!

In celebration of the FREE Kindle giveaway of

“The Christian Mama’s Guide to Having a Baby”

(Get it for FREE through April 17th only!)

We’re throwing a big old Twitter Bash!

And we’re giving away awesome prizes– including a $25 gift certificate to Zulily and a $25 gift certificate to Destination Maternity to make the celebrating sweeter!

Here’s how you can join the fun!  Log onto Twitter on Monday, April 16th at 11:00 am (ET) and follow @guidepostsbooks and @emacphe then search #christianpregnancy.  We’ll be posting questions and giveaways throughout the half hour so keep your #christianpregnancy feed active and respond often to win!

Don’t know how to party on  Twitter?!  It’s easy!  Log onto www.twitter.com and create an account.  Then find the magnifying glass “search box” and search @guideposts_books.  Press “follow”.  Then search @emacphe and “follow”.  Finally, search #christianpregnancy (make sure to add the #) and keep that window open and respond to any posts that come up in that feed.  Feel free to email me (erin@christianmamasguide) if you have questions!

The Fine Print:

*NOTE:  All times are EST

We will be giving away 4 prizes throughout the half hour:

Win a $25 Zulily Gift Card: At 11:01, we’ll post the question:  “What’s your favorite thing about being pregnant?” at twitter hashtag #christianpregnancy from @guidepostsbooks.  Respond to that question on Twitter (make sure to use the hashtag #christianpregnancy in your response) before 11:20 and we’ll draw one person at random for the gift certificate. We’ll PM you on Twitter to tell you you’re a winner and get your address to send you your gift card.

 

Win a signed copy of “The Christian Mama’s Guide to Having a Baby”: At 11:11 we’ll ask the question:  “Tell us your favorite pregnancy website”.  Answer that question before 11:25 (make sure to use the hashtag #christianpregnancy) and we’ll draw one responder at random to win an author-signed paperback copy of the book!  We’ll PM you on Twitter to tell you you’re a winner and get your address to send you your book.

 

 

 

Win a $25 Gift Certificate to Destination Maternity: At 11:19 am, we’ll ask the question:  How often do you pray for your unborn baby? Answer before 11:30  on Twitter (make sure to use the hashtag #christianpregnancy) and you’ll be entered to win!  We’ll PM you on Twitter to tell you you’re a winner and get your address to send you your gift card.

 

Win a signed copy of “Daily Guideposts for New Moms”:  At 11:26 am, we’ll post the question:  Who is most excited about your new baby’s arrival? Answer on Twitter (make sure to use the hashtag #christianpregnancy) before 11:45 am and you’ll be answered to win!  We’ll PM you on Twitter to tell you you’re a winner and get your address to send you your book.

 

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My Book: Better Than Free!

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Erin

As a big thank you to all of you… the people who have supported me on my writing journey… Guideposts has agreed to offer a FREE Kindle download of my book!

So, starting today, for one week only, my book,
“The Christian Mama’s Guide to Having a Baby”
is FREE on Kindle!

Download it now!

But the only thing better than free is BETTER THAN FREE! So, along with the free download, we’re hosting a contest… which means you could win free stuff just for downloading a free book.  How’s that for awesome?

Here’s how (and what) you can win:

1.  Download the book (and forward me your email confirmation to erin@christianmamasguide.com) and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a care package sent from yours truly directly to you. (Hint:  It will involve something delicious to eat.)

2.  Write an Amazon review of the book after you downloaded it (email me at erin@christianmamasguide.com to let me know you posted the review) and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a $10 Amazon gift certificate.

3.  Spread the word on your social networks (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest… tag me) or email your friends about the free download (cc. me) and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a summer fun kids care package sent directly to your house… complete with fun summer activities for your kids.

Happy Downloading and spreading the word!  And THANK YOU!

Here’s how to get in contact with me so you can enter:

Email:  erin@christianmamasguide.com
Twitter:  @emacphe
Facebook:  Christian Mama’s Guide or Erin Schuknecht MacPherson
Pinterest: Erin Schuknecht MacPherson

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