Home Economics: Grades 3 - 12
Future Christian Homemakers Handbook
Author: Laurie Latour
For more information or to order: www.futurechristianhomemakers.com

I've spoken with so many moms who long to teach their daughter's the skills needed to be keepers of the home, but who themselves didn't have a role model to teach them the skills they need.  Laurie Latour has come to our rescue with Future Christian Homemakers Handbook!  This oversized book provides clear instructions to begin and lead a FCH Club or simply teach your own daughters important homemaking skills.  She has included in one manual: devotionals, guidelines for group meetings, teacher and student pages, lessons on menu planning, grocery shopping, cooking, and housekeeping skills.  Are you thinking, like me, "I'm the one who needs a teacher?"  Not to worry - the Future Christian Homemakers Handbook has lots of color illustrations that accompany clearly written, step-by-step instructions covering every area of cooking: muffins, breads (quick and yeast), cookies, cakes and cake decorating, cooking with ground beef, poultry and herbs, microwave cooking, fruit, vegetables, and (of course!) casseroles.  The way this book is organized, anyone can successfully train young women to run a household while preparing and serving healthy meals for their family.

Although there are lots of great, easy-to-follow recipes and common-sense kitchen advice, this book is so much more than a cookbook! Presented in an orderly manner, are lessons on table setting, safety, and tips on housecleaning (including laundry!).  Sewing is touched on briefly, but no instruction is given in this book.  Instead, the reader is referred to several excellent resource/curriculum choices.  I especially appreciate the way Laurie uses devotions on topics such as abiding in Christ, contentment, kindness and more to remind us that the reason we serve is to bless others and honor Christ.

Even though I'm a mom of two boys, I'm thankful to have this book on my shelf for quick reference!  For those of you with daughters, The Future Christian Homemakers Handbook will provide you with hours of quality "mom and daughter" time. Enjoy making memories together!!

Making the Grade: A+
Cost: $29.97
Value for Your Homeschool Dollar: 10

Now available: Fun with Gingerbread by Laurie Latour

Whether you have boys or girls - this booklet provides foolproof recipes for creating gingerbread men, houses and ornaments.  As you'd expect, Laurie guides us through the baking and creative process with clear instructions and lots of illustrations.  She even provides instructions for easy, No-Bake holiday houses using graham crackers.  I have used these instructions with my boys and they had a great time creating their "masterpieces". 

Just in time for the holidays, you'll want to add Fun with Gingerbread to your favorite Christmas cookbooks.  In fact, with Laurie's "secret" recipe, you can bake the components of the gingerbread houses months before the holidays saving valuable time in the kitchen later! 

Making the Grade: A+
Cost: $5
Value for Your Homeschool Dollar: 10
"With a price of only $5 - this booklet is quite a bargain, especially when compared to the price of expensive gingerbread kits!"
Review provided by Cindy Prechtel, Editor