AshevilleMommies

Time Is Running Out!!!!

2012-05-28T11:44:00.001-04:00

Time is running out to vote for your favorite non-profit, The Mommies Network, in Eleventy Marketing Group's Eleventy Group's 4Good contest The winner will receive a free ONCORE marketing package to maximize fundraising- freeing up our volunteers to focus on our mission of providing a safe, secure, FREE place for mothers to find support and encouragement from other mothers and to empowering them to be better women, parents and community leaders. Fundraising not only provides technology upgrades to our expanding network, but it also goes to support all our Chapters and the "moms on the ground."

So join our facebook event to vote and share. Get those votes in by 11:59 p.m. EST and help us spread our wings!

This Week With the Mommies

2012-05-25T08:00:00.000-04:00

We chat online in a private forum — discussing everything from the best photographers to the worst temper tantrums and all that lies between — and meet up regularly at member-driven events around town. Whether it's a late-night commiseration about a crying baby (there are 4 a.m. posts to prove it) or a Moms' Night Out, AshevilleMommies provides what our members need, when and how they need it.

Click here to go directly to our calendar, and stay up-to-date on all our events scheduled for this week.

The Mommies Network needs your help!

2012-05-21T16:56:00.001-04:00

The Mommies Network is a finalist non-profit in Eleventy Group's 4Good contest With a simple click to vote and another to share, you can help boost TMN's fundraising power. Better fundraising means technology upgrades, an expanding network, and more time for our volunteers to focus on what they do best: make mom-to-mom connections everyday.

Join our facebook event to spread the word that will help us spread our wings. Voting costs nothing but a minute of your time.

From everyone at The Mommies Network, thanks for your support.

This Week With the Mommies

2012-05-18T08:00:00.000-04:00

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2012-04-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

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2012-04-06T08:00:00.000-04:00

Adult Literacy Month: How to Help

2012-04-03T08:30:00.000-04:00

Adult Literacy: How to Help When You Don't Have Time

"I'd love to teach an adult to read, but I just don't have time." We've all been there- when the list of want-to's is longer than the day. You can still make a difference in your community and promote adult literacy without dedicating a lot of time. Here's how:

- Donate used books. When you finish a novel or your little one outgrows a story, pass it on to a local organization that offers reading classes and tutors. Homeless shelters, prisons, and job skills training groups can also use your gently-loved books.
- Talk about it. Let friends and family know that adult illiteracy is a real problem. Share the statistics (1 in 7 American adults cannot read) via social media and face-to-face conversation. Ask them how they can help.
- Inspire teens. Most schools now require volunteer hours for high school graduation. Encourage the young adults in your life to tutor someone struggling with reading.
- Lend financial support. Organize, participate in, or purchase from a bake sale or other fundraiser for literacy programs in your area. Cut out one cup of coffee a week and donate it.

It doesn't take a lot of time or money to improve adult literacy, but small gestures can make a huge impact on lives in your community.

This Week With the Mommies

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2012-03-23T08:00:00.000-04:00

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2012-03-16T08:00:00.000-04:00

Prevention:Literacy

2012-03-15T08:30:00.001-04:00

An Ounce of Prevention: Literacy

One of the easiest ways to raise adult literacy rates is to ensure that children learn to read. Instill a love of reading at an early age by trying some of these simple things:

Be a good example- become a regular at your local library. Read for pleasure and for knowledge.
Establish family story night- turn off the tv for a night and discuss what you are reading with your family. Play storytelling games. Retell the family history or keep a family journal of interesting daily events.
Volunteer- donate an hour a week at a local school, library, or church. Start your own storytime circle or tutor a struggling student.
Read to and with your children- make reading part of your family's routine, as a group and individually. Include storytime during sleepovers or longer playdates. Re-live your childhood adventures by reading classic chapter books together.
Make reading fun- Bring the stories to life with silly voices and encourage the children to act out their favorite scenes. Read the book before seeing the movie.

Throughout March The Mommies Network and its local chapters are lovingly recognizing Adult Literacy Month. We encourage you to find ways to increase adult literacy in your community

This Week With the Mommies

2012-03-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

March is Adult Literacy Month

2012-03-04T08:30:00.001-05:00

One in seven American adults cannot read this blog according to the U.S. Department of Education's National Assessment of Adult Literacy. The Mommies Network is teaming up with local organizations across the country this month to promote adult literacy. As leaders in our communities, we are dedicated to improving the world around us, one mom at a time.

Reading impacts our daily lives in ways many take for granted: From understanding a utility bill to helping a child with homework, literacy is an essential skill. Without reading, adults have difficulty finding a job or getting promoted, participating in their child's schooling, and keeping up with important local and world issues. Even grocery shopping can be a daunting task.

Imagine your day without the benefit of reading. Find ways you can volunteer your time, your talent, or your resources by visiting Volunteer Guide and join The Mommies Network in promoting adult literacy.

This Week With the Mommies

2012-03-02T16:00:00.000-05:00

Free Premium Membership Access for a Limited Time

2012-02-28T17:00:00.001-05:00

Ever wonder what's so special about Premium Access to the National Forum? For a limited time The Mommies Network is offering FREE access to premium content like Debate This and Buy/Sell/Swap to all members.
See what you've been missing by logging on to http://www.themommiesnetwork.org/nationalforum/index.php and get started today.

Free Premium Access is available to all current and new members of The Mommies Network National Forum. It is available NOW through April 30th.

This Week With the Mommies

2012-02-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

This Week With the Mommies

2012-02-17T08:00:00.001-05:00

Learn a New Language During Cultural Awareness Month!

2012-02-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

Bonjour! Ciao! Hola! Have you been checking the National Chapter and participating in Cultural Awareness Month? In our Multicultural Mommies forum, we’re talking about foreign languages and discovering fun facts about different cultures. Join the celebration, and add some new words and phrases to your linguistic repertoire!

Do you have something to add to the conversation? Share your knowledge with other moms who are learning a language with their children. Go global with TMN as we highlight the many languages and cultures that make our world wonderful!

This Week With the Mommies

2012-02-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

Menu Monday: Birthday Scones

2012-02-06T16:20:00.001-05:00

I made these scones for MIL's (I call her mom, but anyway) birthday tea. It was so fun! (Scroll down for more pictures.) Sister in law and I made/set out:

Chicken salad sandwiches

Cucumber Ranch sandwiches with sprouts- also posted here, from DD's birthday tea

Deviled Eggs- I just made them with mayonnaise, salt, pepper, mustard powder and paprika

Kale Chips

Cherry Orange Scones- recipe follow, with Lemon curd

Easy Peasy Stuffed Peppers

Kiwi and tangerines

Bleu cheese, prosciutto slices, Everything crackers

Olives and pickles

We bought some Palimers, cheese cake with blueberry crumble topping, German chocolate cake, rum balls, chocolate chip cookies, eclairs and these amazing buttery shortbread with raspberry preserves.

We sipped an amazing Chocolate Mint tea- YUM.

Depending on what kind of scones you want you can change up the mix ins- nuts, dried fruit, chocolate chips, butter scotch chips, peanut butter chips, cardamon, cinnamon, make them with maple sugar, pumpkin the possibilities are endless.

Birthday Scones

3 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
5 teaspoons of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup of butter- very cold
3/4 cup cream
1/4 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract or almond depending on type of scones you want

2 tablespoons cream

1 tablespoon of sugar

MIX ins

1/4 cup chopped dried cherries
zest from one orange

Mix the dry ingredients in a medium sized bowl. Add orange zest if using.

I don't like cutting butter into flour so I either use a food processor or grate cold butter with a grater into the flour. Either way you want to cut the butter in or grate it in. (I also grate butter for biscuits- HERE is the recipe.)

See? Easy. Once grated- work fairly quick it gets warm/to room temperature quick once grated, stir gently to incorporate into the flour mixture.

Add the beaten egg, milk, cream and vanilla. Stir until combined.

I had a helper.

Stir in any mix ins you want.

I give it some good turns/stirs with a spatula or wooden spoon.

Put the dough between two sheets or parchment or wax paper and pat it out to 3/4 inches thick and slice.

Place on a parchment lined baking sheet or baking sheet- un greased. Brush with cream and sprinkle with sugar. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 15-17 minutes.

Post provided by the Please Give Peas a Chance Blog.

This Week With the Mommies

2012-02-03T08:00:00.000-05:00