Garden of the Good Shepherd~Week 2

I am posting this now for all those mommies who use Friday/the weekend to look ahead to next week. Remember, these are just lists of things we would like to do. I don't expect to accomplish them all. I also wanted to point out that I updated the Week 1 post to include a picture of our Sheepfold Gates which turned out really lovely thanks to an idea from Marisa.

The theme for the second week is:
"Welcome to the Lord's Table"

8. The Table: Read Genesis 43:26-34

• set the table with fancy dishes and silverware, fun folded napkins and enjoy one of our favorite meals (homemade fried chicken!)
  

9. The Chairs: Read Genesis 18: 1-8

• The purpose of this symbol is to recall the hospitality and good manners that Abraham and Sara offered the three strangers. We will talk about hospitality and make arrangements to offer our home and neighborliness to a friend later this week.
• Read some books about manners from the library and God's Wisdom for Little Girls and Little Boys. The Dangerous Book for Boys has a section on manners too, I think.
  
• We are also in desperate need of some outdoor furniture. We might spend some time today deciding what will serve us best and looking for a good deal.
  

10. The Bread : Read Ruth 2:8-14

• Make bread. I can't wait to try out one of the various no-kneading bread recipes out there but I think punching and kneading is what the children will enjoy most. Although, they (and Husband) are still really crazy about the Irish Soda Bread. Maybe we'll make both.
• Play with salt dough or break out the homemade playdoh.
  
• Bread Dough Art

~Bread Dough Recipe~

Aleene's Easy Flow Tacky Glue is perfect for creating a porcelain look from bread dough. To create modeling dough, mix with softened bread or cornstarch until you achieve the desired consistency. A basic bread dough formula is one slice of bread to one tablespoon of Aleene's Tacky Glue.

Remove all of the crusts from the number of slices you'll need for your project and tear into small pieces. Put the bread in a plastic bag and pour the appropriate number of tablespoons of glue into the bag (1 piece bread to 1 tablespoon glue). Knead the dough for 10 minutes or until it becomes smooth and workable. At first it will be sticky, but keep kneading. Due to differences in climate and moisture in the area, you may need to adjust the ratio of bread to glue. If after 10 minutes the mixture is still too sticky, add more small pieces of bread. If it is too dry or stiff add a few more drops of glue. You can color the dough by adding a few drops of food coloring to the dough. Only add color to the amount of dough you'll need in that color. Roll the dough out on a smooth and clean surface as you would with cookie dough. Dust with flour if necessary. Use your fingers or cookies cutters to mold and cut shapes. Small projects will take hours to dry, while larger ones could take days. You can store the dough in a sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator for several months. Health & Safety: Nontoxic

11. The Wine : Read Isaiah 55:1-2

• Sparkling grape juice with dinner in fancy glasses (wine for the grownups, woohoo!)
  
• Read the story of Christ's miracle with the water and the wine
• Read The Grapes of Math: Mind Stretching Math Riddles
• Paint our own bunch of grapes.
  

12. The Milk : Read Deuteronomy 26:8-10

• Make leftover Easter candy milkshakes. Grammie sent some whoppers that will be perfect to use in this recipe.
  
• Read milk themed books like The Milkman, The Milk Makers, It Looked Like Spilt Milk and a biography of Louis Pasteur.
  

13. The Pot of Honey : Read Mark 1:4-6

• Buy some local honey at the Farmer's Market.
• Make some Honey Butter, Bee Healthy Honey Oatmeal Cookies or this Australian Honey Cake.
• Read The Honey Makers by Gail Gibbons and Honey by Louise Spilsbury.
  

14. The Fruit : Read Song of Songs: 4:16

• Make fruit salad and add a fruit you have never tried before.
  
• Talk about the differences of fruits and vegetables using Cool As a Cucumber, Hot As a Pepper as a guide. Also read Eating the Alphabet and From Flower to Fruit.
  
• Magically slice a banana.
  
• Make a 3D fruit mobile.
• Have an apple taste test. We have been enjoying the Jazz apples that Suzanne recommended and it has inspired us to try other kinds.