Christmas party!

MOMS!  I am so looking forward to the upcoming Christmas party!

 Our next meeting will be Decemeber 19th and will be our annual festive party!  Please come with am empty belly, as we will all be enjoying a bountiful amount of food... we will have music and games and a great time socializing!  I don't know about you, but I have never eaten so many goodies in all my life, that cookie exchange has left me 5 lbs heavier I'm guessing.  It was such a great time, you ladies all pulled through with LOTS of yummy cookies and goodies and it was a great time had by all. THANK YOU!

Please keep in mind the following:

* $5 gift:  Please don't go under or over this limit.  We need to be respectful of all moms, so of course, if this is a problem please let your table leader know and we can arrange something.  Please bring a gift that you would like to receive yourself!

*Don't forget to let your moppetts workers how much you truly appreciate them. After all, it's they that allow us to get together and enjoy our mom time in peace.

*Everyone is asked to bring something to share for breakfast. mmmmm I can't wait!

Until then, lets's remember the real reason for the season.  Jesus Christ!  Let's not only remember this, but SHARE it with someone else . Let a fellow mom know, let your kids know how important it is to share this with their friends.  Sing songs in praise and worship to the Lord and thank Him for the gift of his son sent to us that gives us this beautiful reason to celebrate.  Talk about the nativity and find ways to celebrate every day, not just on Christmas.  And as Diane shared with us last week, remember to have FUN with your kids! If you choose to play Santa Claus in your home, do it without shame, remembering that we don't have to be overly spiritual at the holidays.  Christ wants us to live life and live it to the FULLEST.   Have FUN!  Get on the floor and play with your kids, chase them around, make crafts, just PLAY!  But let them know that Jesus of course is the real reason we celebrate!

Homemade Laundry soap in 8 minutes for .06 cents a load!

I have been wanting to post about this for a while, so now I am.  Do you know what I am SO EXCITED about?  Laundry detergent!!!  WHY, you ask?  Because I home make it, it saves me about $100 a year and it takes about 8 minutes to make!  You will do a load of laundry for only 6 cents!!!  I have been home making my own detergent for a year now and I have never been more pleased.    

the # 1 question:  Does it clean as good as the top leading brands?  And my answer is YES!  It DOES!  
#2 question:  Is it safe and gentle for my baby and children's delicate skin?  And my answer is YES! It IS!  You just purchase the most gentle soap that you wish and use that.
I am not saying that it's not being a good steward of your money to buy premade detergents.... but for my family, it's a way to save hundreds and use that money towards paying off debt and much needed things.  It costs about $6 to get your initial supplies. 

All supplies you need are found in Walmart or your favorite grocery store in the laundry isle
Supplies:  
1 box borax
1 box Arm and Hammer Super washing soda (NOT baking soda!!)
several bars of Fels Naptha soap, Ivory, or Zote... or some other soap if you wish
measuring cups
a cantainer with a lid
a cheese grater or potato peeler


STEP 1:  Grate a whole bar of soap into a bowl with a cheese grater or potato peeler.  This is the longest you will spend on this project and takes about 5 minutes.  This is a GREAT step for older kids to help with.

What is Fels naptha you ask? This is the original laundry soap
and gets the tough stains out!   

STEP 2:  Measure out 1 cup each of borax and washing soda
STEP 3:  Mix very throughly for about 3 minutes with the soap shavings
STEP 4: Put in a container with a lid and store a measuring cup in it.  Use 1/4 cup per load

That's it!  Add a pretty label and store by the washer.  How much simpler can that be?  Come on moms, I know you have 8 minutes to spare, and you won't be dissapointed.  This will NOT ruin your clothes I promise.  

$6 Christmas wreath

Here is my first ever craft inspiration for you ladies and guess what?  I ONLY do crafts that I can afford and I can always find a craft to do and find all the materials at the DOLLAR STORE!  Everything for this project was found at the $ store except my trusty glue gun.  Never separate a girl from her glue gun!  I love it, seriously.  You can make an easy and beautiful wreath like this for only $6 total and make it for Thanksgiving OR Christmas, just change up the colors.  I bet no one else will have a completely homemade wreath looking THIS awesome for only $6!  Here's a tutorial from start to finish on how to make it!

Step 1:  Purchase *2 rolls of wire ribbon, gold and red, *a naked woven reed wreath, *glue sticks (yes they are at the $ store too in a big pack!), *green decorative reed grass, *2 packages of Christmas painted fruits, pine cones and berries.  (you may even be adventurous and make these yourself...lower the price by another $2.00!)

STEP 2:  cut off the long, hard stems from the green reed grass.  bundle up the loose pieces.  Starting glueing is the hardest part, but once you get the hang of it and start tucking the grass around the wreath, it will get easier.  Glueing as you go, wrap the grass around the wreath leaving spaces in between.  

STEP 3:  unravel and glue one end of the ribbon to the wreath.  Make sure you don't let it bunch up as you wind it around.  You won't need hot glue until you have it all wrapped around the wreath.  Make the ribbon go OVER the grass. The grass peeks through and gives it a unique look.  Hot glue the end to the wreath.

STEP 4:  Hot glue the accent fruits, pine cones and leaves on, varying them along the bottom.  After they are dry, puff out the leaves and branches for fullness

STEP 5  HOW TO MAKE A BOW:  Unravel a whole roll of the red ribbon and gather it in your hand like you would folding a paper fan.  It will be as big as the loops are long.  Loop it back and forth in your hand about 6-7 times.  Leave about 6 inches unlooped.  Pinch the ribbon in the middle.  Take the hanging piece and wrap it tightly around the middle of the loops.  Hot Glue the end of the middle and snip off excess.  Fan the loops out to make a pretty bow.  Then hot glue the center of the bow onto the top of the wreath.

The Finished result!  Enjoy your wreath and save it for years to come :) I hope you enjoyed my tutorial!  

Thankful

I have come away so encouraged from MOPS  lately.  I'm excited to see what God is doing, how he is growing me through new relationships and boundaries, and giving me the opportunity to serve is amazing!  

I am excited to announce that we have a guest blogger joining us soon from Albuquerque, NM who just happens to be my one and only sister, Rebekah.  God has put this Godly woman into my life as a sister, encourager, confidant and friend.  She has 3 children and a lot of wisdom to share and just happens to be on steering for her MOPS group.  I am going to be featuring an article written by her for some encouragement for you ladies!  More to come, please stay tuned!


That time of year is upon us--wait a second, didn't we JUST finish Halloween? It doesn't even seem like it's all about fall anymore, but all about Christmas already all around us. Pretty much every store I go into my 2 year old pulls on my sleeve while pointing his chubby finger and there is no quieting him as he yells in his high pitched voice "CHRISTMAS MOMMY!  LOOK!  CHRISTMAS!"  I am so excited this year to share the true story of Christmas with my son.  Also in a future post, I will be giving ideas for cute advent calendars.  I'm making mine this week and I'm so excited about it.  All of our MOPS kids are at a prime age for explaining why we celebrate. They soak things up like a sponge.  For now, lets focus on Thanksgiving!

I am so very very thankful to God for giving me the new relationships that I have made.  I have been stretched beyond what I thought I would be to relate to women who are not exactly in the same exact situations as me.  Stepping out into steering was intimidating at first, but very quickly, God has allowed me to pour into other's lives and I am thankful that He has done that!  I am thankful for a group of moms that understand and sympathize with me when I am having a rough day.  Where else can you go to be with a group of ladies for 2 hours and discuss why your clothes smell like mildew, why your house is a mess, how your week has been, how to potty train, and what are you cooking for dinner that night?  It's so encouraging and for THAT I am thankful.  What are you thankful for about mops?  

I have a GREAT example of how you can plunge into relationships this year!  My husband is deployed. We have been married almost 8 years and literally have spent 2 Thanksgivings together.  This year, one of my table members invited me and my son over to her house to spend the day with her for Thanksgiving. I just got such a warm feeling inside, it was great.  Christian love at it's finest. This is what mops is all about.  Just a challenge going out to you ladies to think about possibly opening your home to a lady that doesn't have anywhere to go for Thanksgiving.  You won't regret it, I promise!  

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Fall Recipes

Need some inspiration for fall recipes?  Try these!

Apple and Cinnamon Oatmeal Pancakes

Ingredients:
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup rolled oats (ground in food processor)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 cup milk (or buttermilk)
1 egg
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
2 tablespoons apple sauce
2 tablespoons rolled oats
1 apple (peeled, cored and chopped)

Directions:
1. Mix the flour, rolled oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl.
2. Mix the maple syrup, milk, egg, butter and apple sauce in another bowl.
3. Mix the wet and dry ingredients.
4. Mix in the rolled oats and apple.
5. Heat a pan and melt a touch of butter in it.
6. Pour 1/4 cup of the mixture into the pan and cook until the surface starts to bubble and the bottom is golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.
7. Flip the pancake and cook the other side until the bottom is golden brown, about 1-2 minutes.

Creamy Chicken and Spinach Tortellini Soup

1 (9 ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini

1 (14 1/2 ounce) can fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth

2 (10 3/4 ounce) cans reduced-fat, reduced-sodium cream of chicken soup

1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed

1 (9 ounce) package refrigerated cooked diced chicken breast

2 cups fat-free milk

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Cook tortellini in a Dutch oven according to package directions, using 1 can broth instead of water.  Add soup and remaining ingredients, stirring well.  Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook until thoroughly heated.

Serves 6 ( 1 1/3 cup servings)

Fall Pork Dinner

1/4

cup packed brown sugar

1

tablespoon firm margarine or butter, cut up

1/2

teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2

small acorn squash

1

small unpeeled red cooking apple

1/3

cup Bisquick Heart Smart® mix

1/2

teaspoon seasoned salt

1/8

teaspoon pepper

5

saltine crackers, crushed

1

egg white or 2 tablespoons fat-free egg product

1

tablespoon water

3

boneless pork loin chops, 1/2 inch thick (3/4 lb)

• 1Heat oven to 350°F. In small bowl, mix brown sugar, margarine and cinnamon until crumbly; set aside. Cut squash into 1/2-inch rings. Cut rings in half; remove seeds. Cut apple into chunks.
• 2In shallow dish, stir together Bisquick® mix, seasoned salt, pepper and cracker crumbs. In another shallow dish, mix egg white and water. Dip pork into egg mixture, then coat with Bisquick mixture.
• 3Spray 10-inch skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium-high heat. Cook pork in skillet 6 to 8 minutes, turning once, until coating is brown.
• 4Place pork in ungreased 8-inch square or 11x7-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish. Arrange squash and apples around pork. Sprinkle with brown sugar mixture. Bake uncovered 40 to 45 minutes or until squash is tender and until pork is no longer pink in center.

Fall Fall Fall!

Fall is such a fun time of year, I love love it!  I just wanted to write and give you ladies some inspiration to decorate, curl up under a nice cozy blanket with a fall drink, do a fun fall craft with your kiddos, and give you some fun fall activities to do with your kids!  

From my poetry days long ago:

 Warm sunlight, yet cold faces

Pumpkin carving and potato sack races

Turning leaves and cherry pie

Delightful aromas, wood smoke filling the sky

Daylight fading faster, nights becoming long

The soft spooky call of an owl's song

Colors soft and warm filling the skies

Fall arrives as the last of summer dies

Decorating for fall is SUCH fun.  One of my favorite things to do is go down to the basement and bring up my big box o' fall decorations, turn on some Michael Buble music ( i love his music!), and decorating every room in my home.  

If you are low on finances, here are some SUPER cheap things you can do.  These are pictures from around my home and they ALL come from my favorite place... the dollar store!   

Decorate all around your home with dollar packs of leaves over door frames, on the kitchen table, on top of your tv.  Set out cute bowls of dollar store candy corns.  Make cheap displays on top of bookshelves and table tops of pumpkins, gords, pine cones, baskets.  purchase a pack of 3/ $1 battery tea light candles that flicker and place them all around your home and inside pumpkins:                            

 

My husband's biggest love language is acts of service.  He loves it when he comes home to a clean house that smells warm and cozy.  This is a GREAT idea for fall to get your home smelling like a picture in a magazine and it's totally cheap!  

*You can pick up a big jar of cinnamon (or even cinnamon sticks) at the dollar store. 
*cut and peel orange skins... the more you use, the more it will smell.  
*sprinkle cinnamon on top of orange peels.  About 1/2 TBS. should do it.  Bring to a rolling boil and continue to simmer as long as you want.  Will make your house smell DEVINE!

*You can also reuse the peels.  Simply drain and refrigerate until the next use!


Another great way to show your husband or family  some support after a long day's work:  FOOD!  Food is the way to anyone's heart... right?  Here are some YUMMY fall treats that I'm dying to have right now. To keep this post shorter, I'm adding these onto the recipes tab at the top of the blog.  Simply match up the photo and it will be located there for you.
                                                         

Stay tuned for a big blog post on some fun fall crafts for your kiddos and some fall time activities you can do as a family!

Prayer and ponderings

Moms!  I know I cannot be the only one out there feeling this way.  In fact, I know I am not.  I LOVE pinterest.  Love it.  If I actually had the time to do so, I'd sit there for hours repinning (most of the time probably pinning things that I will never get to).  Things that I want, ways in which I wish my house to be, ways to be a more spiritual parent, crafts I want to make, recipes I want to try.  I get on there with such high expectations of myself, such as getting inspired to take the plunge into trying to cook with only my crock pot for an entire year.  It can be done, but that's not who I am.

      Do you ever come off of a website like that feeling inadeqate?  I do, all the time.  Why can't I be like Martha Stewart?  Why can't my house smell of roasting oranges and cinnamon for my husband when he comes home from work? Why can't my child's room be so put together that it looks like something out of a magazine?  Why can't I cook like that?  Why can't I ever put together outfits like that?  Why can't I come up with unique and original ideas?  Why aren't I a size 2?  WHY?  WHY? WHY?

        I'll tell you why.  It's because in my own life, the minute I start comparing myself to the perfection of others, I fall short.  My #1 ministry (as I am learning a LOT lately) is to my family.  But if I am so engrossed in taking time to research how I much better I could be doing at my job, it's a sin to me.  God wants ME.  He wants ME.  He wants ALL of me.  He wants WHAT I have, creative or not.
            I  just bet you that if you really got on there and researched into someone's life, such as someone with a story book kitchen, that you would see that their kitchen may very well be the ONLY thing that's like that.  I'm not saying there is anything wrong with having a beautiful hobby, or cook a fantastic meal.  But it's the moment when you start second guessing yourself that isn't right.  I am guilty of it first.
        My family wants ME!  My 2 year old Blake doesn't come to me and say "Mommy thank you for my awesome crafts that you let me do" or "Mommy the house looks AMAZING" ... he comes up to me and says "Mommy, I need you" or "Mommy I love you"...or he comes up and tickles me.   He wants Mommy, not mommy's perfection.
        I have decided that instead of pouring over magazines and webpages and books about how I can constantly better myself, that I will take some of that time, praying for my son.  He's only 2 years old, but still needs prayer. (I'm not giving up pinterest completely, I'm just not going to obsess anymore)
Ironically, I found this on pinterest :)   But how TRUE.  I always have dreamed of being the kind of parent to pray for my children.  I think I will actually sit down and do it now that I have a physical list in front of me.
Be encouraged ladies. We are in this thing together to encourage one another in love and prayer.

encouragement and announcements

WHAT an awesome meeting we had yesterday!  I feel like we are all getting to know the ladies at our tables a little better, and I don't know about your table, but mine went so smoothly.  Everyone had something to share, we stuck to the topic, AND I came away feeling really encouraged.

Rachel's C.H.A.T. acrostic was really great, I think it's genius!  It's great and applicable for any gathering of women, MOPS or not.

Let's all remember to:
C
H
A
T

      The message this week was great! Plunging into relationships with other women creates an impact!  There will be a BIG SPLASH and will affect a lot of areas of our lives and families.  Plunging is all about going deeper and being authentic in our friendships, taking risks to use the gifts and talents that the Lord has given each one of us!  We encourage you to find that gift inside that you have and use it as your expression of love!

Some notes and reminders:

Thank you to Dana B. for coordinating our first big group play date!  "Picnic in the Park" Weather permitting, we will be meeting at City View Park on Tuesday, Sept. 25th from 10:00-12:00.  Bring your lunch!  Address: 2073 Kempsville Rd., VA Beach

                                                                                  

Our next group play date will be the "Holy Ghost Wiener Roast" at the New Life.  More details to come!


If anyone is still interested in joining the "Good Morning Girls" bible study group on facebook, please send Cresta  a friend invite and she will get you added.  Cresta can be found on our MOPS facebook page.http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/2012/09/how-to-soap-your-quiet-time/


Please be SURE to label your child with a bright yellow allergy sticker if they have an allergy. 

The book "Mom Connection" is available for purchase for a very discounted price of $7.  If you would like more out of MOPS and to follow along with the studies and get encouragement from them, the book is available.  Please contact Shawna M.    #530-604-9606

Check out these GREAT muffins!

Cheese & Bacon Breakfast Muffins

3 slices bacon (rind removed and chopped)
1 tablespoon olive oil
400 g button mushrooms (finely chopped)
1 1/2 cups plain flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt (freshly ground)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
1 cup cheese (grated, tasty, cheddar is good)
2 tablespoons chives (finely chopped)
80 g butter (melted)
2 eggs (lightly whisked)
2/3 cup milk (skim milk was used)
Directions:
In a frying pan (skillet) fry bacon over a medium-high heat until light and golden stirring often, about 4 minutes.
Remove to a kitchen paper covered plate.
Increase heat to high, add oil and mushrooms to the frying pan and cook for 5 minutes till tender and then set aside to cool.
Preheat oven to 200 degree celsius.
Grease a 12 hole muffin tin (regular size) or a 6 texas size (3/4 cup) muffin tin.
Sift flour, baking powder and salt and pepper into a bowl and add cheese and chives and mix together.
Whisk butter, egg and milk in a jug and pour into dry ingredients, stirring gently until almost combined.
Fold through the bacon and mushrooms.
Spoon mixture into prepared pan.
Bake for about 15 to 18 minutes for regular size muffins and about 20 to 25 for texas size.

Read more at: http://breakfast.food.com/recipe/cheese-bacon-breakfast-muffins-264533?oc=linkback

Some more recipe ideas!

Breakfast Hash Brown Casserole

1 package simply potatoes southwest hash brown
1 lb breakfast sausage (I like the Sage flavored. )
1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese or 1 cup freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 dozen egg
2/3 cup Bisquick
1/2 cup sour cream
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup water
Directions:

Follow cooking instructions on sausage packaging and crumble while cooking. Drain any excess liquid when finished. In a large bowl, toss together hash browns, sausage and cheese, set aside. In a separate bowl combine the remaining ingredients and whisk or use a hand blender until the eggs start to foam on the top. Coat a 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spay or butter. Place hash brown mixture into baking dish and pour egg mixture over the top. Make sure the egg mixture completely saturates the potatoes. Cover and place in the refrigerator if baking in the morning. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 1 hour. Place foil over the casserole about half way through as the top will start to brown.

OPTIONS: You can sprinkle additional cheese on the top before taking it out of the oven.
I usually use some freshly grated cheese in the recipe, as it seems to have more moisture and I find the packaged shredded variety a little dry. This usually will make a difference when refrigerating and reheating leftovers, so the casserole won't become too dried out.
Try adding any leftover or fresh vegetables you might have on hand. Remember that frozen veges will contain some water, in which you would need to increase your baking time.
Substitute the sausage with precooked crumbled bacon. Not sure how much you would use.
Serve with salsa.

Breakfast casseroles!

here's some fabulous ideas for some easy breezy breakfast casseroles!

Sunrise Breakfast Casserole

What you’ll need: 
12 ounces Johnsonville breakfast sausage links
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 onion minced
5 eggs
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon ground dry mustard
salt/pepper
4 cups frozen hash browns – thawed
1 1/4 cups cheddar cheese – shredded, divided

What to do: 
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place sausage links into an oven proof dish. Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes OR until no longer pink. Slice cooked sausages into 1/4″ sections. Set aside.

2. WHILE sausage is cooking, into a small saute pan add oil and onions. Cook until softened. Allow to cool.

3. Into a large bowl add: eggs, milk, mustard salt/pepper. Whisk together to combine. Add: potatoes, 1 cup cheese, sausage, sauteed onions. Mix to combine.

3. Spray a 13×9 baking dish with cooking spray. Pour mixture into dish. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup of cheddar on top.

4. Increase oven temperature to 375. Bake for approximately 30-40 minutes OR until set and lightly golden. Allow to set for approximately 10 minutes prior to serving.

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

This is one of my very favorite recipes of all time!

Strawberry Pretzel Squares
(Source: Kraft Foods)

2 cups finely crushed pretzels
½ cup sugar, divided
2/3 cup butter or margarine, melted
1½ pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
2 Tbsp. milk
1 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
2 cups boiling water
1 pkg. (8-serving size) JELL-O Brand Strawberry Flavor Gelatin
1½ cups cold water
1 qt. (4 cups) strawberries, sliced

PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Mix pretzel crumbs, 1/4 cup of the sugar and the butter. Press onto bottom of 13×9-inch baking pan. Bake 10 min. Cool.

BEAT cream cheese, remaining 1/4 cup sugar and the milk until well blended. Gently stir in whipped topping. Spread over crust. Refrigerate until ready to use.

MEANWHILE, stir boiling water into dry gelatin mix in large bowl at least 2 min. until completely dissolved. Stir in cold water. Refrigerate 1½ hours or until thickened (spoon drawn through leaves definite impression). Stir in strawberries. Spoon over cream cheese layer. Refrigerate 3 hours or until firm. Cut into squares to serve. Store leftovers in refrigerator.

Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze

Serves 18
Ingredients

⅓ cups Water
1 can Pureed Pumpkin (15 Oz)
2 whole Eggs
1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
2 teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 box Yellow Cake Mix (18 Ounce Box)
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 cup Brown Sugar, Divided
½ cups Flour
4 Tablespoons Butter, Melted
¼ cups Granulated Sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
¼ cups Heavy Whipping Cream

Preparation Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350F.

In a large bowl mix together the water, pumpkin, eggs, 1 Tablespoon of vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice until well combined. Add the cake mix and baking soda and mix until just combined.

Grease a 9×13 pan with butter and pour batter into pan.

In a small bowl mix together 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 cup flour and melted butter. Use your fingers to sprinkle over the top of the cake. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

For the glaze, combine the other 1/2 cup brown sugar, granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and heavy cream in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat and stir until all sugar is dissolved.

When cake is finished baking, poke holes in the top with a toothpick. Pour glaze over the cake, making sure to cover all surfaces. Serve cake warm or at room temperature.