Apr 30, 2020

Bookworms Stay At Home Reading List

The NHWT Book Club, The Bookworms have put together a list of must reads while we are all inside and apart...

Here's their faves:

1.  Where the Crawdads Sing - Delia Owens
2.  All the Light we Cannot See  - Anthony Doerr
3.  The light between Oceans - M.L. Stedman
4. The Help - Kathryn Stockett
5.  Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons - Lorna Landvik
6.  A Man Called Ove - Fredrik Backman 
7.  The Nightingale - Kristin Hannah
8.   Becoming - Michelle Obama
9.  The Rosie Project - Graeme Simsion
10.  The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto - Mitch Albom

Apr 28, 2020

Crockpot Pulled Pork

by Tawn H.

1 Pork loin roast-frozen, put in crock pot. 
Add about 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar. 
Add about 1/3 cup molasses. 
Sprinkle liberally with Tastefully Simple Rustic Herb Seasoning that you can get from Teri Burkstrand. 

Cover and cook on low 8-12 hours. My measurements are just guesses as I don't measure when I cook. When the roast is done, it will shred very easily. I don't even add any BBQ sauce, although you can if you would like. The left overs make great omelets the next day.

Apr 26, 2020

Effective Writing


Imaging you as an author! 

This effective writing activity is a great way to think outside the box and exercise your brain muscles during our separation. Pick up a pen or keyboard and start writing. Preferred article length is 400 to 800 words. Stories and articles can be on any topic, social lesson, skill to share, or personal story. They will be shared on www.NewHopeWT.org. Email your completed stories and articles to Together@NewHopeWT.org

Apr 25, 2020

The Bookworms are still Meeting!

Our next book club meeting is May 14th.  We are planning on doing a zoom virtual meeting for anyone that wants to join.  The book is Uneducated by Tara Westover. If anybody wants to join us for the virtual meeting they can email me at dlwind@comcast.net

These are the books we will be reading yet this year:

The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes

Little Fires Everywhere - Celeste Ng

Woman of God - James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

Sold on a Monday - Kristina McMorris

Apr 24, 2020

Parking Lot Trivia

ARE YOU TIRED OF STAYING HOME?

MISS YOUR WOMEN OF TODAY FRIENDS?


COME JOIN US FOR PARKING LOT TRIVIA!

WHO: Chapter members and guests

WHAT: Play Trivia with your friends outdoors while maintaining social distancing. Bring your folding chair and a beverage. Not a trivia buff? Don’t worry, just enjoy the company and being outdoors. It’s all about getting together!

WHEN: Thursday, April 30th, 6:30PM

WHERE: Holy Nativity Parking Lot

WHY: Because we need to have some FUN! Safe prizes too!

Apr 22, 2020

Gettysburg Address

By Josephene O

November 19th, 1863 Lincoln gives the Gettysburg Address to commemorate the thousands of lives lost in battle. Ironically, he believed that what he said was not important, except that what he said was actually really important. No one talks about what happened that day, they talk about what Lincoln said because it was that influential to the progress of the war. When giving the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln reinterprets the Declaration of Independence, redefines “people”, and he notes a shift in the people v. the government to the people are the government. Lincoln announced what everyone had been thinking, what everyone knew but wouldn’t admit. By giving the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln announced a point of no return that was reached when limited war became a total war. He was announcing his refusal to recognize the Confederacy as anything but rebels and his plan to end the war with no conditions.

At the beginning of the war, many believed that the government had no jurisdiction to interfere with an individual’s right. The right of the state was more important than protecting federal law. This is the premise under which the southern states seceded from the Union. Lincoln did not see this as a legitimate secession. He refused to acknowledge any legitimacy of the Confederacy. This is evident in his Fabian policy in which he stalled response and action in order to preserve the union. His policy was to hold, occupy, and possess. Lincoln was convinced that the war would be done just as soon as it had started. This was not the case. A limited war soon became total war. For example: 90-day enlistment turned in to a three-year draft; preserving the Union turned in to starting anew; total war signaled the end of Fabianism to which he turned to his policy of peace through victory. Victory could only truly be a victory if the Confederate states returned to the Union—and Lincoln refused to have it any other way.

Beyond just the beginning of the war, by reinterpreting the Declaration of Independence Lincoln challenged the founding fathers’ ideas of what the country should be. “This nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” He redefined “people” to include far more than what the founding fathers had intended. For instance, when the Declaration was written only landowners could vote, Lincoln reestablished this to be all people regardless of land ownership or occupation. Additionally, not only does Lincoln use “people” differently, he also makes it clear that they are working by their own agency as citizens rather than by “the laws of nature and of Nature’s God”. This new Union would be a government “of the people, by the people, for the people”. This was even more significant because now, Lincoln was referring to everyone, not just the wealthy or those who owned land. Lincoln set a precedent for commanding the country during times of internal conflict. He was direct with his speech, making it clear that he would have none else but peace through victory.

In conclusion, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, although brief, had a substantial impact on the end of the war. Lincoln announced his plans for ending the war in a Union victory. Except, this announcement marked a point of no return. Only a few weeks later on December 8, Lincoln announced his plans for reconstruction. This man meant business and he wasn’t going to negotiate with rebels.

Apr 20, 2020

Together We Can Be More


Looking to try a new meal or snack? Have a go to recipe to share? 

If yes, this fun Together We Can Be More project is for you. Any recipe you love will do. Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, treat, beverage… If you love it, share it! Email your recipes to Together@NewHopeWT.org and they will be spotlighted on www.NewHopeWT.org for other members to see and try. 

P.S.: The chocolate chip cookies are a big hit. Serval people have already made them. Have you?

Apr 19, 2020

Popovers

By Anna N


Makes 12

Ingredients
·         1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted, plus softened butter for muffin pan
·         1 cup flour
·         1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
·         2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
·         1 cups milk, at room temperature
·         Muffin Pan (1 twelve cup or 2 six cup)

Directions:
1) Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
2) Whisk together the flour, salt, eggs, milk, and melted butter until smooth. The batter will be thin.
3) Add a small dab of butter to the bottom of each muffin pan cup.  
4) Place the muffin pan in the oven for 2 minutes to preheat.
5) Remove tin from oven and immediately divide the popover mix between the 12 muffin pan cups and bake for exactly 25 minutes. Do not peek.
6) Remove popovers from oven. Serve warm.

Apr 18, 2020

EMPTY BOWLS 2020 Still Needs Support!


Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the need for food assistance is greater than ever and Minnesota Foodshare has extended their proportional matching funds deadline to April 30th.  Please consider a financial donation, your dollars can go further to support local hunger at PRISM and NEAR by giving to:   Empty Bowls

Apr 17, 2020

Sudoku -02



The goal of Sudoku is to fill a 9x9 grid with numbers so that each row, column and 3x3 section contain all of the digits between 1 and 9. As a logic puzzle, Sudoku is an excellent brain game.

Apr 16, 2020

Puzzles & Games Oh My!

Call your family members and challenge them to a NHWT puzzle or game. Two (2) to three (3) new puzzles/games are uploaded each week. Who finished the Sudoku faster? You? A niece or nephew? A grandchild/child? Your BFF? Another chapter member? How about the word finds and crosswords? Share photos and stories of your at home adventures and completed activities by emailing them to Together@NewHopeWT.org

Apr 15, 2020

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

By Rita J.

3/4 C softened butter
2 1/2 C sugar
1  1/2 tsp vanilla
3 3/4 C flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp nutmeg
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 C vegetable oil
3 eggs
3/4 C sour milk
6 T. Baking Cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp soda
1/4 tsp cloves
3 C zucchini, finely chopped
1 C chocolate chips (1/2 in cake, 1/2 on top)

Mix dry ingredients, set aside.  Combine oil, beaten eggs, sour milk, half chips and zucchini. Add dry ingredients, pour into floured cake pan. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes, remove from oven and sprinkle remaining chips over entire cake, then return to oven for 20 - 25 minutes.

Apr 14, 2020

Change Cup Challenge

What are you doing with your extra time at home? Cleaning out the couch, shelves, closets. 

Consider starting a change cup for Wishes and More. Each time you find spare change add it to the cup. As a group we will bring all our change cups to our first in person general meeting. Together we will watch a little change add up to a big different for Wishes and More.

Why Wishes and More? Wishes and More is Minnesota-based, 501(c)3 tax deductible children’s charity that connects with families in Minnesota.They go beyond the wish by providing extraordinary experiences to kids battling a terminal or life-threatening condition and support the entire family. 
  • Grant wishes for kids from birth through their nineteenth birthday
  • Fulfill ALL types of wishes – without bias against wishes related to hunting, fishing, and outdoor sporting activities
  • Award a Scholarship of Hope® providing faith in a child’s future
  • Provide a monetary gift to families who lose a child before they could experience a wish through our unique Memorial Program
  • Continue to support families by providing family-friendly opportunities donated to us by our supporters. Once a “wish kid” or “wish family”, always a “wish kid” or “wish family”.

Apr 13, 2020

Sloppy Ritas

By Rita J.

1 1/2-2 lbs ground beef
1 small onion or 2 T.  onion flakes
1 can tomato soup
2 T. Brown sugar
1/2 c Ketchup
2 T. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp chili powder
Salt & pepper to taste

Brown the ground beef and onion. Add remaining ingredients and simmer 10 minutes. Serve on hamburger buns.

Apr 12, 2020

Sudoku - 01


The goal of Sudoku is to fill a 9x9 grid with numbers so that each row, column and 3x3 section contain all of the digits between 1 and 9. As a logic puzzle, Sudoku is an excellent brain game.

Apr 10, 2020

Date Scones

By Wendy C.



Tool to “cut butter into rice size pieces”

Apr 8, 2020

Buffalo Chicken Chili

By Jenise T. (Fridley WT)

Garlic, 2-3 cloves, minced
Celery, 2-3 stalks, sliced
Onion, one medium, chopped
Saute in oil until tender
Add:
1 can white beans
1 can fire-roasted tomatoes
1 can kernel corn
1 pint chicken broth
Shredded chicken(I used most of rotisserie type)
1/3 to 1/2 cup hot sauce
1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
8 ounces cream cheese, cut in chunks
1 package Ranch dressing mix
Warm through
Put in bowls. Top with tortilla chips, more blue cheese crumbles
(This can also be made in crockpot)

Apr 6, 2020

Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever

By Jennifer A


INGREDIENTS

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour¹
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt2
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Preheat the oven to 350 F.
  • Microwave the butter for about 40 seconds. Butter should be completely melted but shouldn't be hot.
  • In a large bowl, mix butter with the sugars until well-combined.
  • Stir in vanilla and egg until incorporated.
  • Add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Please read the recipe note about properly measuring flour. 
  • Mix dough until just combined. Dough should be soft and a little sticky but not overly sticky.
  • Stir in chocolate chips.
  • Scoop out 1.5 tablespoons of dough (medium cookie scoop) and place 2 inches apart on baking sheet.
  • Bake for 7-10 minutes, or until cookies are set. They will be puffy and still look a little underbaked in the middle of the oven

Apr 5, 2020

Announcing!! Youth of Today's Project for April

BIRTHDAY BAG collection and donations for NEAR Food Shelf and Prism (provider of basic needs services) Do you have any birthday type items already at your home OR perhaps you might like to shop and donate some items for the organizations? i.e. coloring books, word finds, crayons, books, toys, tooth brushes, Play dough, cake mix, frosting, candles, ETC ETC ?????? Please bring items to the April Meeting !!

Apr 4, 2020

MNWT 70th Anniversary Gala

 Save the Date: October 17, 2020 

Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd Lakes, Baxter, MN 

Early Bird $55 per person – received by April 15, 2020. 

Cost is only $70 per person from April 15 to September 1. 

Registrations after September 1, 2020 will be $80. 

Enjoy special entertainment from Grammy and Dove-nominated Singer Gary Timbs with Dawn Timbs. You won’t want to miss this wonderful event! 

Contact foundation@mnwt.org for ticket sales and information.

Apr 3, 2020

Step To It with NHWT

Registration for the 2020 Step To It Challenge is now open and begins on May 1, 2020. 

Every one must register, even if you have registered in the past.  We have created the NEW HOPE WOMEN OF TODAY group.  If you do register, please join our group.  See below for more info and the link to register.

New Hope finished in 11th place out of 25 local communities in 2019.  175 participants logged over 37 million steps.  Great job everyone and let’s keep up the great activity in 2020!

This year’s challenge will be May 1-May 28 and registration will 
open online April 1st at www.steptoit.org.

 It’s FREE and you will be able to win various prizes! 
You can participate as an individual or virtually with a group.  

It’s not just about walking, most activities (even household activities) can be converted 
by stepsby using the online step conversion chart.  

Log your activity daily or weekly in an online Step to It account.