Care Packages for "Neighbors in Need"

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view […] until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." 

--Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee)

I live in a small town, enough in the country and away from the city that, for the most part, means I experience "small town" things as part of my norm. We know our post office and library ladies on a first-name basis now, and the kids eagerly anticipate the treats we will get when we stop by. I always see at least 3-4 people I know in our town grocery store. And our local hardware store looks like something from"The Andy Griffith Show." Idyllic, right? And our family is working on developing good relationships with our neighbors - you know, the ones who live in our neighborhood. It's not easy, and I'm personally not very good at easy hospitality, but I've been working on it. 

Yet every time I think of the story of the Good Samaritan and the lawyer's question to Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" I can't get certain people out of my mind's eye. They're the ones that we pass

on a regular basis as we're driving into "the city," standing on sidewalks and street corners with their signs and backpacks. My lack of familiarity with homeless people means that I usually try to avoid eye contact, especially since I never have anything to give them. Because, I mean, who wants to smile and wave ... and nothing else? I feel terrible the whole time. And not because of some emotional urge to make myself feel like a good person, but because I always hear that question, "Who is my neighbor?" Driving past these people is a somewhat- regular occurrence. So yes, they are my neighbors.

Jesus, through a question, allows the lawyer to see who is being the true neighbor: "the one who showed him mercy." I remember

someone telling me that part of mercy is the compassion that comes from "putting yourself in other peoples' shoes." It's what Jesus literally did for us. I can't always do that physically speaking, but God has given us the gift to imagine, I believe, so that sometimes we can do just that: put ourselves in the place of others - imagine what they are feeling and why they are doing what they do. Even if I don't always understand it. 

So, over the holidays I remember seeing an idea on pinterest for some "care packages" that you can pass on to anyone you run into that has a need - even as quickly as handing it out the window while driving. I didn't act on it then as I should have. But after another reminder at last night's ladies' Bible study (on reaching our neighbors with true hospitality), I knew it was time to act. Below in pictures is what I hope will be a means to show love to my neighbors in need that I pass on the street corners (one of which came up to me in a parking lot the other day looking for food). I tried to put myself in their shoes to see what the needs might be - and if anyone has more ideas to add to this, please feel free to let me know! I hope we can start overwhelming our neighbors with love in caring for some of these needs. 

Note: most items included are hygenic in nature, because what I have heard from friends who work with the homeless a lot is that these hygenic items can be somewhat expensive and hard to come by (we all know how this stuff adds up). Most items are from Target/Aldi/Dollar Tree.

CARE PACKAGES FOR "NEIGHBORS IN NEED"

Contents 

Care packages all laid out

• socks
• 3 granola bars
• shaving cream/razor
• toothbrush/paste/case
• washcloth/soap
• shampoo
• flushable wipes
• gum
• water bottle
• lemonade packet
• hot beverage pack (tea, hot cocoa)
• chapstick
• lotion (girls only)
• Feminine pack (girls only)

TOTAL COST: about $6 each

• Additional items not in packages: Hats, gloves, handwarmers (to pass along as needed)
• Also going to print off little notes to go inside - with encouragement and some info about our church's food ministry.

Girl's care package

Guy's care package

Feminine pack

granola bars inside socks
held with hairband 

                                     

Aldi has great divided boxes to put these in
for easy car travel. Mine sits up front. 

One for husband's car (recycled lego bin)

Stored in the box

I also put a few sets of hats & gloves and
handwarmers in case there's a need.

Hope's Prayers - a great Mother's Day gift idea

Samantha & Michael with their Mom, Hope. 

For anyone familiar with our family, you're probably aware of the incredible and sweet story behind Joanne's marriage to Rob (she details their engagement in 2 parts here and here). We were all so excited at God's leading and provision for Joanne (in a husband) and widower Rob (in a wife - and mother for his 2 children). But what I didn't know was much about Rob's first wife, Hope (the mother of my niece and nephew, Samantha and Michael). For the past 10 years, Rob has been compiling memories, letters, interviews, and poems in order to produce a special book - addressed to Michael & Samantha - about their mom. But even though it's written from his perspective to his children, it's also a very moving and accessible story for us "outsiders." I thoroughly enjoyed reading it as I traveled to South Carolina last week to spend some time with my parents (as my mom was recovering from major surgery). As I was expressing my thoughts about this story to my mom, the thought occurred to me that this would be a great gift for mother's day. So we're sharing some reviews here about it to hopefully pique your interest and give you a great gift idea. 

-Megan Albright-

Hope's Prayers, by Rob Pfeiffer, is available on amazon.com and Barnes and Noble online in both print and e-reader friendly versions (kindle & nook). 

REVIEWS FROM THE SISTERHOOD

Michael & Hope

Samantha and Michael have such a treasure in this book. They are able to read of their mom's life and many of her thoughts through her beautiful poetry. Their dad, Rob, so kindly lays out the many trials and lessons learned that their family endured. It's an encouragement to see the truths of Scripture woven throughout the book not only to admonish and advise Samantha and Michael as they prepare to leave home, but also to challenge us as believers in many of life's aspects. 

-Julie Rudie-

Last picture as a family
July 4, 2004

Rob Pfeiffer shares with his children, using their mother's own letters and poetry, insights into Hope's personal struggles as well as her growing walk with Christ, her Savior. Each chapter begins with snippets of the final hours of her last day. These snippets provide a compelling backdrop that draws the reader into learning more of Hope Pfeiffer's life.Then each chapter details their mother's life's journey as a daughter, wife,and mother. I believe the reader will learn along with Samantha and Michael that "life is hard" and sometimes "life is very hard," but Christ is the only hope.  

-Grace Albright-

As I read through Hope's Prayers I was constantly reminded of God's grace. Grace through strength and perseverance in trials and God's amazing grace over sin. It was a joy to see the truths of God's Word left to my niece and nephew, through the life of Hope. And, it was a great privilege to be allowed to look in as an 'outsider' and learn more about God's grace.

-Jill Dow-

Although written mainly for his children, Rob Pfeiffer's book Hope's Prayers is a beneficial read for anyone who encounters life's trials. The journey God planned for their lives was difficult, but God's faithfulness was abundant. 

-Faith White-

Through this book I was given much new insight into the life of the mom I barely knew. Also, I learned about what my relationship with God should be, based on her example. Never in my life could I have asked for a better gift.

-Samantha Pfeiffer-

Freezer Meals for the New (or recurring) Mom

Welcome back to the Sisterhood! If you're wondering where we've been, well, it's been that kind of winter. I, personally, just recently had our third child, so I've been a little busy. But thanks to my dear sister and an idea we're going to share with you today, I'm actually finding myself with more free time than I imagined. So if you know someone who is about to have a baby (maybe someone in your church, a good friend, a sister, a daughter, etc.), I'm going to strongly recommend that you consider being a HUGE blessing in their soon-to-be crazy lives by providing them with a freezer full of make-ahead-and-dump-in-the-crockpot meals. 

Tonight's dinner

As I type this, I'm currently enjoying the aroma of "Italian chicken with potatoes and green beans" that's cooking in my crockpot. My sister (bless her heart) came to visit us a few weeks after my delivery. And besides caring for my high-maintenance 4 & 2 year-olds, she spent the entire week preparing almost 30 bags of meals and snacks (like this peanut butter granola and these yogurt freezie pops for the kids) that store in my freezer. My favorite part is that these aren't just meals for supper. She also put together some snacks, 3 bags of "breakfast muffins" (think omelets in the shape of a muffin that you can warm up in 30 seconds), 2 bags of french toast sticks, and 2 bags of pre-made, non-processed breakfast sandwiches. These have been awesome to have since most mornings I am really dragging (after middle-of-the-night feedings) and can barely feed myself let alone my other kids.

We have available now a PDF copy of all of the recipes she used. So if you are interested in getting a copy, just send us an email at albright.sisterhood@gmail.com and we'll send it right back to you to use in whatever way you want (you can certainly make these for yourself as well if you are needing to "stock up"). And again, as a new-again mom, I can't encourage you enough, if you have the time and means, to do this for someone. It has been a wonderful gift that has blessed our whole family the past few weeks. Thanks for reading, and enjoy! 

Tomorrow night's dinner, thawing in the
refrigerator - can't wait! 

Megan for the Sisterhood

Sugar Cookies (Sisterhood Christmas Treats)

Sugar Cookies - the iconic Christmas cookie, and yet everybody's idea of that perfect sugar cookie varies drastically - Thin and crisp, or think and soft? Royal icing, or buttercream frosting?  Dough and frosting from a tube? Buy them from the grocery store?

The original Albright Sisterhood grew up with a multi-generational sugar cookie recipe that we continue to make every year - one which makes a soft sugar cookie and requires mixing the dough in advance and chilling it in the fridge for a few hours.  Yes, it requires the mess of rolling, cutting, re-rolling, cutting, and baking along with the extra work to make the frosting.  And it will probably also result in a kitchen full of colored sugar crystals and sprinkles. But the sentiment, memories, flavor, and tradition wrapped up in these cookies is, to us, worth each step of the process.

Sugar Cookie Recipe 

(from the kitchen of Leora Potter, our great-grandmother)

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup margarine (margarine keeps the cookies soft; butter makes them crispy)
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 2 tsp. cream of tartar
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cream together margarine, vanilla, and sugar. Add eggs. Then mix in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. 
2. Refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour - but overnight works beautifully.
3. Set out dough to bring to room temperature. Roll out dough on a floured surface about 1/4 inch thick (may require kneading in a little more flour to keep dough from sticking on surface). Cut out cookies using desired cookie cutters.
4. Bake 8-12 minutes at 375 degrees (until cookies look dry throughout the middles - if cookies turn brown, they are over-cooked)
5. Let cookies cool.
6. Freeze, store, or frost cookies (frosting recipe below).

 

Buttercream Cookie Frosting Recipe 

(modified from the Wilton buttercream frosting recipe)

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup butter (real, unsalted butter)
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2-4 Tbsp. water
• 1 lb. (4 cups) powdered sugar
• pinch of salt
• food dye/color as desired

INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. Cream together butter, shortening, vanilla, and 2 Tbsp. water. Mix in powdered sugar and pinch of salt.
2. Add little bits of water to bring frosting to desired consistency. Mix in food dye to create desired color (Americolor brand is wonderful).

HELPFUL HINT: To get red frosting, first make frosting pink, then add Americolor red color, next let set for about 15 minutes (because color darkens over time), adding a little more red at a time until the right color

Royal Icing Option 

(for beautiful, stackable cookies)

The tutorial found here, is fabulous!  I recommend following these directions for royal icing sugar cookies.  I used these directions last year for some gift cookies.  However, we prefer the flavor of the buttercream frosting.

One More Sugar Cookie Tip:
Because it can be difficult to display and transport decorated sugar cookies efficiently, I sometimes bring a platter of unfrosted cookies with a dish of frosting for guests to frost their own sugar cookies.

Joanne for the Sisterhood

Chocolate Peanut Pretzel Bark (Sisterhood Christmas Treats)

Today we're featuring a guest post from a sister of a sister in the 'hood (Megan's sis, Melissa), who is going to share a favorite Christmas treat recipe from their grandmother. 

I don’t know about you, but this Christmas season has been rather stressful and busy for me. We live near lots of family members, and making sure we get time with all of them is a blessing as well as tricky. So when I need a quick and easy treat, I resort to my family’s Chocolate Peanut Pretzel Bark (NOTE: You may need an extra dose of self-control to keep from licking the bowl as you prepare this recipe). 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 1 12-oz. bag of semisweet chocolate chips (or dark chocolate, if you prefer - just not milk chocolate)
• 1 12-oz. bag of peanut butter chips
• 1 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter
• 2 c. pretzel pieces
• 2 c. unsalted peanuts (seasoned or dry-roasted peanuts taste weird – trust me)

INSTRUCTIONS: 

Combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and peanut butter into a large microwave-safe bowl and begin melting process.  TIP: Don’t heat the chips for more than 20-30 seconds at a time before stirring. Burning chocolate is the WORST. I have a small, weak microwave, so I did three sets of 30-second melts, stirring in between each one. You will probably need less.

Crush up some pretzels until you have two cups of bits (HINT: this is a great phase for your little "helpers"). The easiest thing is to just dump a bunch of pretzels in a gallon ziplock bag and whack away with a wooden spoon.

Add the pretzel pieces and peanuts into the bowl with melted chocolate. Mix thoroughly until everything is coated.

Pour the mixture on a 9x12 or other large baking sheet covered in wax paper, and spread it out as thinly as possible – once the chocolate hardens it gets pretty thick. Place baking sheet in the refrigerator (or outside if cool enough) for about an hour until chilled and hardened thoroughly.

Once chilled, break your "bark" into small pieces and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator (or out on the deck, as my grandmother used to do – saves room in the fridge). Enjoy! 


Melissa for the Sisterhood

Praline Pecans (Sisterhood Christmas Treats)

I love the varied traditions and specialties that Christmastime brings out. And even though I'm a great lover of the vast assortment of Christmas cookies produced by everyone, my very favorite treat this time of year is my mom's praline pecans. She found the recipe for these in one of those cheap little paperback cookbooks years ago (you know, the kind that you can pick up in the grocery store check-out lanes - back before Google and Pinterest). And I think we just decided to try them out one year as gifts for our friends and coworkers. They were a smashing success with every recipient - and so my family's tradition of giving "Christmas Nuts" each year was born. So here, for the many friends and family who have asked for this over the years, is our "secret" (not really) Praline Pecan recipe. 

My "elves" getting ready to help me make a batch of Christmas Nuts

Praline Pecans (aka. "Christmas Nuts")

INGREDIENTS: 
(all can be gotten very affordably at Aldi - esp. the nuts, which are rather expensive everywhere else)

• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup
• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3 cups (or 2 6oz. bags) of pecan halves
• 1 bag of craisins (dried cranberries) - OPTIONAL

INSTRUCTIONS: 

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees (may need to raise temp in electric ovens, depending on how high your heat gets - I use 250 in a gas oven, my sister uses up to 300 in her electric). Spray a 9x13 baking pan (I highly recommend a non-stick pan) with cooking spray, and lay out the pecans in the pan. At this time, I also usually get my "cooling pan" ready as well - typically a baking sheet/jelly roll pan covered in foil (lip or edge around it recommended). 

Next, put the brown sugar, corn syrup and butter into a small saucepan, and heat for 1 minute on medium. After 1 minute, stir the ingredients and heat for another minute. The mixture should be starting to boil at this point - and once it is, you can quickly add the baking soda and vanilla, continuing to stir. Mixture will get really "foamy" at this point. One it reaches the Foam-Stage, turn the heat off, keep stirring it, and pour it over the pecans. Using a spatula, stir the pecans, covering as many as possible in the glaze. 

Put the pecans in the oven and bake in 3 20-minute cycles, stirring between each cycle (60 minutes total bake time). This is the time when I try to get little projects/cleaning tasks done. So I set the timer for the first 20 minutes, and get one bathroom done. Stir pecans. Set the timer for another 20 minutes, and vacuum the upstairs. Stir pecans. Set the timer for the last 20 minutes, and get the other bathroom done ... well, that's my ideal anyway. Most of the time, I set the timer and then spend 20 minutes settling disputes over Legos, changing diapers, cleaning up unrolled toilet paper, etc. You know how life goes. :-) 

When the pecans are done, IMMEDIATELY dump and spread them out on the foil-covered jelly roll pan to cool. If you need them to cool quickly, feel free to throw them outside (if winter), etc. Once they've cooled, you can break any clusters apart and store them or package them up in your gifting containers. 

For gifts, I usually get 2-3 cellophane bags worth out of a "batch" of pecans. We've also gifted them in those little put-together boxes at times. And if you want to just do one bigger gift to someone, you can give them the whole batch (I certainly wouldn't complain about a whole batch all to myself. :-) NOTE: If you want to add some color & texture to your Christmas Nuts, you can throw in a handful of craisins (dried cranberries). Lots of people like these, but since I'm not a fan myself, I usually just skip the craisins. 


Feel free to let me know if you have any questions about these. They're actually fairly easy and fast to make (beyond the waiting 60 minutes to cook). Hope you enjoy!

Megan for the Sisterhood