MOPS

Long distance Romance

2009-06-19T13:32:00.001-05:00

The next time your husband goes out of town without you, write out exactly what you're going to do to him when he walks in the door. Get the note to your husband while he's on the road. There's a pretty good chance he will be hurrying home just as fast as humanly possible. ( www.52projects.com)

photography project

2009-06-19T13:29:00.000-05:00

* Buy a disposable camera. Take pictures of each waiter/waitress at each restaurant you go to. When you have finished the film, send it in to be developed. when you get the pictures back see if you can remember which server was at each restaurant. Try to see how much you really take notice of the people who touch your lives if only for a little and whose lives you touch. (my idea)

Decorated Coffee Jar

2009-06-19T13:00:00.002-05:00

Don't throw out your coffee, jam or pickle jars, especially if they are those really beautifully shaped ones that you get nowadays. All you need are some sequins or diamantes, which cost literally pennies from haberdashers. Stick them on at random and glue a label to the front with "coffee,” "spice,” "pasta" or anything else, which the jar might be utilized for storing. Tie a silver or gold bow round the neck of the jar.

Tick Removal

2009-06-19T12:56:00.003-05:00

Tick Removal:
I had a pediatrician tell me what she believes is the best way to remove a tick. This is great, because it works in those places where it's some times difficult to get to with tweezers: between toes, in the middle of a head full of dark hair, etc.

Apply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball. Cover the tick with the soap-soaked cotton ball and swab it for a few seconds (15-20), the tick will come out on its own and be stuck to the cotton ball when you lift it away. This technique has worked every time I've used it (and that was frequently), and it's much less traumatic for the patient and easier for me.

Unless someone is allergic to soap, I can't see that this would be damaging in any way. I even had my doctor's wife call me for advice because she had one stuck to her back and she couldn't reach it with tweezers. She used this method and immediately called me back to say, "It worked!"

1st Annual MOPS Scavenger hunt (we're doing it again next year!)

2009-06-03T19:36:00.003-05:00

Our first Mops scavenger hunt, of the digital variety was organized by our wonderful Josie.

We gathered at the agreed on location before we started out on our nefarious mission. There would be winners and there would be losers.

Josie’s daughter Colleen would be the judge...

The winning teams:

Someone doing the Monkey Bars

The Winning Team (Veronica, Flo, Karla, Danielle)

)

The runner up (Sara, Emma, Dawn)

Strangers Kissing

Drinking Fountain

Two people on a slide together

Mops Member sitting at a bar

Stranger doing a return

Stranger talking on phone while driving;

Something with a MOPS logo

Black Minivan:

Hugging a stop-sign

ringing someone's doorbell and asking for a picture with them

stranger modeling clothes

group eating french fries:

picture of someone pumping gas

Stranger buying something from Carters

group doing Chinese Fire Drill at a stoplight

MOPS member donating money:

MOPS members sneaking dessert from the room without being caught;

someone buying something at grocery store

And... a sighting of Jesus:

Taste of MOPS

2009-05-19T14:44:00.001-05:00

I REALLY enjoyed our Taste of Mops meeting. It was fun to be able to try so many great recipes at once. ;And now I’m ready to start making some at home, and I’m guessing you are too.

Ladies,

Thanks again for bringing in such tasty stuff. I know how hard it is to just get out the door with your kids for the meetings, much less come with a dish in hand. Thanks for helping to make it a great meeting. It was also so nice to hear how much our group means to so many of you. I LOVE MOPS!

Looking forward to seeing you & your kiddos at the parks this summer!

In Him,

Natalie

Photography project

2009-05-19T13:29:00.000-05:00

* Document a regular day in your life -- the household in the morning, the place you buy your coffee before work/school/ playing at the park, the goings on in your office/living room, the lunch hour, snack time, nap time, your husband getting home from work, preparing and eating dinner, the evening hours, getting ready for bed and just before the lights go out. (adapted from www.52projects.com)

Play Do Play Do Play Do

2009-05-18T13:10:00.001-05:00

Play Do
2 ½ C flour
½ C salt
2 pkgs unsweetened Kool-Aid
2 C boiling water
2 Tbsp oil

Combine and knead as it cools. Add flour if needed. Smells fruity rather than like icky play do!!

cyanide hour dinner meals

2009-05-18T13:08:00.001-05:00

One thing that I do that’s super easy is I always have smoked sausage in the house. Even if its frozen, it can be nuked easily and quickly. Sauté some sliced onions and potatoes in a skillet with butter and/or oil. Add in the sausage, a can of diced tomatoes and a dash of thyme (add salt and pepper to taste). Serve with any frozen or fresh veggies you can scrounge up (steam them first tho)!!

Lori Olson

potato casserole

2009-05-18T13:07:00.001-05:00

One bag (about 2lbs) of the hashbrown potatoes
one can cream of chicken soup
1 pint of sour cream (I used sour cream with chives this time)
about a fourth of a cup of minced onions
2 cups shredded cheese (your choice...I used a "casserole blend")
salt and pepper to taste
3-4 T of melted butter
and this time I actually fried a few slices of bacon and crumbled them into it as well...totally optional

bake uncovered at 350 for 45-60 minutes. If the top starts looking too brown I put a piece of foil on it, but let it crisp up at the end.

I hope you enjoy! Thanks!
Angie

Play Dough Cookies

2009-05-18T12:56:00.002-05:00

Play Dough Cookies
3/4 C butter
3 ounces cream cheese
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 t vanilla extract
2 and 3/4 C flour
1 t baking powder
1/4 t salt
assorted food coloring (gel or paste works best)
...

1. In a bowl cream butter, cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. Add
egg and vanilla. Beat until smooth.

2. In a bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add dry
ingredients to the creamed mixture. Stir until soft dough forms.
Divide dough into Fourths. Tint each with a different food coloring.
Wrap in plastic and chill for two hours. (I stuck it in the freezer
for 15 minutes because I hate to wait!)

3. Preheat oven to 350. Shape colors into 3/4 inch balls. For each
cookie place one pink, one orange, one green, and one blue ball
together and roll to make one giant ball. Roll into a 12 inch long
snake, and then starting at one end coil roll to make a cookie. Place
cookies 2 to 3 inches apart on greased cookie sheet to allow for
spreading.

4. Bake for 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool and store in an
airtight container.Enjoy!

Think about this: your belly button will never be cleaner than when you're pregnant! - Josie Bailey

2009-05-18T12:50:00.001-05:00

"Watch your thoughts...they become your words.

2009-05-18T12:46:00.001-05:00

Watch your words...they become your actions.
Watch your actions...they become your habits.
Watch your habits...they become your character.
Watch your character...it becomes your legacy."

English Shortbread From the Kitchen of: Emma Kalinowski

2009-05-15T19:36:00.001-05:00

English Shortbread

From the Kitchen of: Emma Kalinowski

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Work butter with spoon or fork until fluffy; add sugar gradually. Stir in
dry score
ingredients. Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut in desired shape and
place on
ungreased cookie sheets or press dough into an 8x8-inch ungreased baking
pan and
dough in size squares you prefer.
Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for approx. 20-25 minutes until
delicately
browned.

Nanaimo Bars Variations, From the Kitchen of: Lana Bistritz

2009-05-15T19:36:00.000-05:00

Nanaimo Bars Variations,
From the Kitchen of: Lana Bistritz

Named after the city of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, these are a fixture
at every
Canadian bake sale, wedding shower, etc

INGREDIENTS
Base:
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar
5 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Filling:
1/3 cup butter
3 Tbsp custard powder, Bird's brand (or substitute vanilla jello pudding
powder)
1/4 cup milk
3 cups icing sugar

Topping:
8 ounces semisweet chocolate
2 Tbsp butter

DIRECTIONS
Base: melt butter in heavy saucepan. Stir in sugar and cocoa until
smooth. Whisk
egg with vanilla and stir into butter mixture. Remove from heat. Stir in
crumbs,
coconut and nuts. Press evenly over bottom of greased 9" square pan.
Chill until set,
at least 20 min.

Filling: Beat butter with wooden spoon until light. Beat in custard
powder and
milk. Gradually beat in sugar. Spread over chilled base and let set in
fridge.

Topping: Melt together chocolate and butter; stir until smooth. Spread
in even layer
over chilled filling. Store in fridge until choc. topping begins to harden.
Score
topping into bars. Cut before totally solid, use a hot knife, wipe clean
between cuts.
Store in fridge or freeze for up to 2 months.

NOTE: These look wonderful on a tray of goodies and people love them.

VARIATION: Peanut Butter Filling
2 T Custard powder
1/4 c Milk
2 Tbsp Butter; softened
1/2 c Peanut butter, smooth
2 c Sugar icing sugar or confectioners -sifted

VARIATION: Grand Marnier Filling
2 c Icing Sugar
1/4 c Butter; softened
1/4 c Grand Marnier or orange liqueur
1 tb Orange rind; coarsely grated

VARIATION: Cherry Filling
1/4 c Butter; softened
1 Tbsp. Cherry juice
2 c Icing sugar
1/3 c Maraschino cherries; chopped
drop or 2 of red food coloring

VARIATION: Mint Filling
1/3 cup butter
3 Tbsp custard powder, Bird's brand (or substitute jello pudding powder)
1/4 cup milk
3 cups icing sugar
1 tsp. peppermint flavoring
1 or 2 drops green food coloring as desired.

VARIATION: Cappuccino Filling
2 Tbsp milk
3 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 tsp instant coffee or espresso powder
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 cups icing sugar (aka powdered or confectioners)

VARIATION: Bailey¹s Irish Cream Filling
1/3 cup butter
3 Tbsp custard powder, Bird's brand
(or substitute vanilla jello pudding powder)
1/4 cup Bailey's Irish Cream
2 - 3 cups icing sugar

Nanaimo Bars (Variations, 2 of 3)

From the Kitchen of: Lana Bistritz
Nanaimo Bars (Variations, 3 of 3)

From the Kitchen of: Lana Bistritz

Strawberry Jello Cake (very low fat!) From the Kitchen of: Natalie Schneider

2009-05-15T19:35:00.002-05:00

Strawberry Jello Cake
(very low fat!)
From the Kitchen of: Natalie Schneider
INGREDIENTS
1 angel food cake, cut into 1-2” squares
16oz bag frozen strawberries
6oz pkg strawberry jello
1 ½ cup boiling water
1 tub cool whip (red fat ok)

Puree strawberries in blenders, ½ bag at a time. In large bowl, mix jello
w/ 1 ½ cup
Boiling water. Add strawberries. Chill until mixture starts to thicken.
Put just
Enough of mixture to coat bottom of angel food cake pan. Dip each piece
of cake in
strawberry mixture and place in cake pan. Chill until set. Remove from
pan by
Setting pan in very warm water until edges loosen and cake will slide onto
plate
When upside down. Serve with whip cream.

Death By Chocolate From the Kitchen of: Gayle Collins

2009-05-15T19:35:00.001-05:00

Death By Chocolate

From the Kitchen of: Gayle Collins
INGREDIENTS
1 recipe of chocolate brownies (9x13 pan) – baked
2 pkg. Chocolate Mousse – prepared
1 large container of Cool Whip (16 oz)
8 Heath bars – crushed
1 cup pecans – chopped

Prepare brownies. Crumble and place half in large bowl (a clear glass
bowl is great
for this dessert). Prepare mousse and divide into 2 portions. Spread half
of mousse
over brownies. Spread half of the Cool Whip over the mousse. Sprinkle
nuts and
Heath bars over Cool Whip. Repeat all steps. Refrigerate and allow to set
several
hours or overnight for flavors to “mingle”!!

Chocolate Syrup Cake From the Kitchen of: Stephanie Simpson

2009-05-15T19:35:00.000-05:00

Chocolate Syrup Cake

From the Kitchen of: Stephanie Simpson
INGREDIENTS
Cake:
1 stick of butter
4 eggs
1 Cup sugar
1 Cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 can (16 oz.) Hershey's chocolate syrup

Topping:
1 stick of butter
1 Cup of sugar
1/2 Cup evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Cream butter and add sugar. Cream well. Add eggs, beaten slightly. Mix
in flour.
sifted with baking powder. Add the chocolate syrup and mix well for
about a
minute. Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes. Remove
from oven
and punch holes in top with a wooden toothpick or fork. Punch holes all
over cake
Cool completely.

Topping:
Melt butter in pan over low heat. Add sugar, milk and vanilla. Bring to a
boil stirring
constantly. Cook slowly for 10 minutes. Remember to keep stirring
constantly.
Nuts may be added, if desired. Pour over cooled cake.

Dessert Cheese Ball From the Kitchen of: Barbie Rucker

2009-05-15T19:34:00.002-05:00

Dessert Cheese Ball

From the Kitchen of: Barbie Rucker

INGREDIENTS
2 (8 oz) cream cheese pkgs (softened)
2 sticks of butter (softened)
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1-2 c. of chocolate chips or sprinkles
chocolate or "nilla" wafers

Mix in bowl cream cheese while slowly adding butter and powdered sugar
and in the
vanilla. Add in chocolate chips (evenly in the mixture). Mold into a ball
and let cool
refrigerator at least 4 hours prior. Place chocolate and vanilla wafers
around the
ball for dipping. Perfect for parties!

Almost Key Lime Pie From the Kitchen of: Amie Paradise

2009-05-15T19:34:00.001-05:00

Almost Key Lime Pie

From the Kitchen of: Amie Paradise

INGREDIENTS
1 store-bought graham cracker crust
1 14-oz can Carnation sweetened condensed milk (non-fat if you want)
1/2 cup fresh lime juice (key limes work best result) OR 1 can frozen lime
juice
1 tub of Cool Whip (non-fat if you want)

Mix milk and lime juice until combined. Chill until set. Top with Cool
Whip, either
entire pie or a dollop for each slice. If you use key limes, slice a few and
decorate top.

Cheddar Raspberry Pie From the Kitchen of: Lisa Masri

2009-05-15T19:34:00.000-05:00

Cheddar Raspberry Pie

From the Kitchen of: Lisa Masri

INGREDIENTS
1lb. sharp cheddar cheese, grated or shredded
1c, chopped pecans
1 c. chopped green onions including the green ends
1c. mayo (not low fat)
raspberry preserves

Mix cheese, pecans, onions & mayo together. Flatten it into a pie dish ( I
put saran
wrap in first and the cheese mixture on top of the saran... this makes it
easier to get
out). Chill, then turn out onto a platter and spread with raspberry
preserves.
Serve with crackers.

Baked Beans From the Kitchen of: Sara Molendorp

2009-05-15T19:33:00.002-05:00

Baked Beans

From the Kitchen of: Sara Molendorp
INGREDIENTS
2- 15 oz cans of Pork and Beans (not Baked Beans)- I use VanCamp's Pork
and Beans
1 small package bacon (about 6 slices)
1/2 onion diced
1/3 c ketchup
1 or 1.5 Tb yellow mustard (squirt, not dry)
2-3 Tbs brown sugar
1tsp Worcestershire (optional)
Dice bacon and fry it in a skillet. 1/2 way through cooking, add the onion
and fry
along with the bacon. When done, use a slotted spoon to scoop the bacon
and onion
out (drain as much of the fat as you can). Put beans in a mixing bowl
(take out the
lump of "pork" from each can). Add the bacon, ketchup, mustard and
brown sugar.
For sweeter beans, add more brown sugar, for more tangy add more
ketchup. Mix
well and put in a casserole dish. Bake in a casserole dish (9x9 or larger) at
350
for 1 hour or until the top crusts over slightly and thickens up. For a
shorter bake
time of ~40 min, drain the beans a bit before mixing in the ingredients

Favorite Bow Tie Pasta From the Kitchen of: Kelly McKay

2009-05-15T19:33:00.001-05:00

INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup butter
1 T flour
2 tsp chicken bouillon
3/4 tsp dried basil leaves
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp pepper
1 cup each of half-and-half and Milk
1 lb bow-tie pasta
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Optional Toppings: bacon, grilled chicken, mushrooms, broccoli...
In saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in flour, bouillon, basil,
garlic from
powder, and pepper. Gradually add cream and milk. Cook, stirring
occasionally, until
bouillon dissolves and sauce thickens. Usually takes ~15min. Meanwhile,
cook pasta
according to package directions and drain. Place pasta in a large bowl.
Remove sauce
heat and stir in cheese. Pour sauce over hot pasta; toss to coat.

Cheesy Potato Casserole From the Kitchen of: Katie Robbins

2009-05-15T19:33:00.000-05:00

INGREDIENTS
1 (2 lb.) bag frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
1 tsp. salt
1 can condensed cream of chicken OR cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup melted butter
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 c chopped onion (or 1 tbsp dried minced onion)
8 oz. sour cream
2 cups crushed cornflakes
1/4 cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 350. Combine all ingredients except cornflakes and ¼
cup butter;
mix well and pour into buttered 9 x 13 inch pan. Sprinkle cornflakes over
top and
drizzle with ¼ cup melted butter. Bake for 45 minutes.

Five Can Casserole From the Kitchen of: Angie Dewey

2009-05-15T19:32:00.002-05:00

Five Can Casserole

From the Kitchen of: Angie Dewey
INGREDIENTS
1 can chicken with rice soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can crispy chow mein noodles
1 small can evaporated milk
1 can chicken (or 2 cups cooked, cubed chicken)

Put all together in greased casserole. Top with potato chips or French
fried onions.
Bake uncovered at 350 for 30 minutes.

Carrot Puff, serves 6 From the Kitchen of: Danielle Behlmer

2009-05-15T19:32:00.001-05:00

Carrot Puff, serves 6

From the Kitchen of: Danielle Behlmer
INGREDIENTS
1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons AP flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
Preheat oven to 350. Grease an 8-inch square baking dish. Place carrots in
a medium-
size sauce pan and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat
and simmer,
uncovered, for 20 minutes or until carrots are tender. Drain.
Place butter, eggs, sugar, flour, baking powder, and vanilla into a food
processor or
blender. Add carrots a little at a time and puree the mixture until
smooth. Pour into
prepared baking dish. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until firm. Let stand
for 5
minutes before serving.

Best Ever Turnip Greens From the Kitchen of: Lori Olson

2009-05-15T19:32:00.000-05:00

Best Ever Turnip Greens

From the Kitchen of: Lori Olson
INGREDIENTS
6 strips of bacon
1 small onion chopped
2 T chopped green pepper
1 t sugar
1 t salt
1 T vinegar
Dash Tabasco
3 lbs turnip greens, well washed, coarse stems removed
1-2 hard boiled eggs
But bacon into small pieces and cook until crisp. Remove and drain on
paper towels.
Sauté onion and green pepper in bacon drippings for 5-8 minutes, until
soft. Add
sugar, salt, vinegar, Tabasco, and greens. Cook over medium heat for 15
min until
greens are wilted. Reduce heat and continue cooking for 30 min, or until
all is
tender. Garnish with bacon pieces and chopped egg.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs From the Kitchen of: Dawn Schuler

2009-05-15T19:31:00.001-05:00

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

From the Kitchen of: Dawn Schuler

Make –Ahead Meatballs:
1 egg
1/2 c. dry bread crumbs
1/8 c. finely chopped onion
1/4 Tbsp. salt
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/8 tsp. white pepper
1 lb. lean ground beef

Combine all ingredients by hand and then shape into 1-inch balls. Place
in a single
layer on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-15 min. or
until no
longer pink, turning often. Cool. Can freeze for up to 3 months.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs
1 20-oz. can of pineapple chunks
1/3 c. water
3 Tbsp. vinegar
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
3 Tbsp. cornstarch
1 batch of make-ahead meatballs (see recipe below)
1 large green pepper, but into 1-inch pieces
hot cooked rice
Drain pineapple, reserving juice. Set pineapple aside. Add water to juice
if needed to
measure 1 cup. Pour into a large skillet. Add 1/3 c. water, vinegar, soy
sauce, brown
sugar and cornstarch. Stir until smooth. Cook over medium heat until
thick, stirring
constantly. Add pineapple, meatballs and green pepper. Simmer,
uncovered, for
20 minutes or until heated through. Serve over rice. Makes 6 servings.

Burrito Pie From the Kitchen of: Jenni Beasley

2009-05-15T19:31:00.000-05:00

Burrito Pie

From the Kitchen of: Jenni Beasley
INGREDIENTS
2 pounds ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 (2 ounce) can black olives, sliced (if desired)
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chili peppers (if desired)
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chili peppers
1 (16 ounce) jar taco sauce
2 (16 ounce) cans refried beans
12 (8 inch) flour or corn tortillas
9 ounces shredded Colby cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the ground beef for 5 minutes.
Add

the onion and garlic, and sauté for 5 more minutes. Drain any excess fat,
if desired.

Mix in the olives, green chili peppers, tomatoes with green chili peppers,
taco sauce and refried beans. Stir mixture thoroughly, reduce heat to low,
and let
simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
Spread a thin layer of the meat mixture in the bottom of a 4 quart
casserole dish.
Cover with a layer of tortillas followed by more meat mixture, then a
layer of cheese.
Repeat tortilla, meat, cheese pattern until all the tortillas are used,
topping off with a
layer of meat mixture and cheese.
Bake for 20 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheese is
slightly brown and
bubbly.

Heather=?ISO-8859-1?B?uQ==?=s Pork Tenderloin

2009-05-15T19:30:00.001-05:00

Heather’s Pork Tenderloin

From the Kitchen of: Heather Lee

Pork tenderloin:
2-3 lbs. pork tenderloin
1 jar sun dried tomatoes, chopped
2 Tbs. parsley, chopped
4 slices of bacon
Cut a slit length wise down the middle of tenderloin and put the sun
dried tomatoes
and parley in the slit. Place bacon across the tenderloin. Hold together
with
toothpicks. Bake at 425 for 45 minutes. Take out of oven and let rest for
15 minutes.

Spread:
1 container of Alloutte cheese spread (garlic and herb)
1/2 c. crushed pistachios
add milk or cream to make spread (small amount)
Sweet onions and garlic:
3 c. onions
3 cloves of garlic, minced
olive oil
1 Tbs. brown sugar
1 Tbs. balsamic vinaigrette
Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil. Salt and pepper to taste. Sauté 30
minutes or
until onions are clear. Add 1 Tbs. brown sugar and 1 Tbs balsamic
vinaigrette.

Cut pork tenderloin into slices, add onions and garlic and spread on slices
of French
bread or Italian bread.

Sausage-Stuffed French Loaf From the Kitchen of: Josie Bailey

2009-05-15T19:30:00.000-05:00

Sausage-Stuffed French Loaf

From the Kitchen of: Josie Bailey

This recipe EASILY feeds our entire family and we even have some
leftovers. It
sounds complicated but really isn't. My kids LOVE this one!!!
INGREDIENTS
1 (16 oz.) loaf unsliced French bread
1/2 lb. ground pork sausage
1/2 lb. ground chuck
1 medium onion, chopped
1C (4 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/4 C chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp. fennel seeds
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 T. butter or margarine
1 large clove garlic, crushed


Cut off ends of loaf; set ends aside. Hollow out center of loaf with a long serrated
bread knife, leaving a 1/2" shell. Process bread to make coarse crumbs
(food processor
works well for this). Set bread shell and crumbs aside.

Cook sausage, beef, and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat
until meat is
browned, stirring until it crumbles; drain. Add 1 cup of bread crumbs,
cheese and
next 6 ingredients; stir well. Spoon meat mixture into shell; replace loaf
ends,
securing with wooden tooth picks.

Melt butter in saucepan. Add garlic; cook about 1 minute. Brush butter
mixture over
loaf. Wrap loaf in foil, leaving open slightly on top; place loaf on
a baking sheet. Bake
@ 400 for 25 minutes or until loaf is heated and cheese melts

Chicken Florentine in Minutes From the Kitchen of: Jennifer Scheid

2009-05-15T18:59:00.000-05:00

Chicken Florentine in Minutes

From the Kitchen of: Jennifer Scheid

  INGREDIENTS
  3 cups water
  ·     1 cup milk
  2 tablespoons butter
  2 packages (about 4 ounces each) fettuccine Alfredo or stroganoff pasta mix
  ·     4 cups fresh baby spinach, coarsely chopped
  ·     1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  1 pkg (about 10 oz) refrigerated fully cooked chicken breast strips, cut into pieces
  1/4 cup diced roasted red peppers
  1/4 cup sour cream

  Bring water, milk and butter to a boil in large saucepan over medium-high heat.
  Stir in pasta mixes, spinach and black pepper. Reduce heat to medium. Cook 8
  minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in chicken and red peppers.
   Cook 2 minutes or until hot. Remove from heat. Stir in sour cream.

Cheesy Potato Soup From the Kitchen of: Cindy Yoder

2009-05-15T18:57:00.000-05:00

Cheesy Potato Soup

From the Kitchen of: Cindy Yoder

  INGREDIENTS
  3 c. diced, pared potatoes
  1/2 c. diced onion
  1 1/2 c. water
  2-3 chicken bouillon cubes
  1/2 tsp. salt
  2 c. milk, divided
  1/2 - 1 c. sour cream
  2 T. flour
  8 oz. Velveeta Cheese
  1/4 tsp. pepper
  Combine potatoes, onion, water, bouillon cubes, salt and pepper in a large saucepan.
  Cover and cook for about 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender, not mushy. Add 1
  cup milk; heat. Mix sour cream, flour and remaining milk together. Stir sour cream
  mixture into soup base, gradually. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until
  thickened. Add cheese and stir until melted. Can be served with bacon bits on top.

Chicken Souvlaki Salad From the Kitchen of: Tracy Ash

2009-05-15T17:50:00.000-05:00

Chicken Souvlaki Salad

From the Kitchen of: Tracy Ash

INGREDIENTS
2 t. minced garlic, divided
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast
3 cups cubed peeled cucumber (about 3 cucumbers)
1/2 cup vertically sliced red onion
1/2 cup (2 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives
2 ripe tomatoes, cut into 1” pieces.
1/2 cup plain fat-free yogurt
1/4 cup grated peeled cucumber

1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Preheat broiler. Combine 1 teaspoon garlic and the next 6 ingredients (1
teaspoon garlic through chicken breast) in a large zip-top plastic bag. Seal the bag
and shake to coat. Remove chicken from the bag. Broil chicken 5 minutes on each side
or until done.

Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces. Combine chicken, cubed cucumber, and the next 4 ingredients (cubed cucumber through tomatoes) in a large bowl. Combine yogurt and remaining ingredients in a small bowl. Pour over chicken mixture; toss well.

Strawberry Spinach Salad From the Kitchen of: Bethany McCauley

2009-05-15T17:49:00.000-05:00

Strawberry Spinach Salad

From the Kitchen of: Bethany McCauley
INGREDIENTS
3/4 cup sugar
1 t. dry mustard
1 t. celery seed
1 t. salt
1/2 cup vinegar
1 T. grated onion
1 cup oil
2 lbs. raw spinach
1 medium red onion
Almonds- slivered
Strawberries

Mix first seven ingredients well in bowl and set aside. Grate onion, add it
with

Chicken Tortellini Soup From the Kitchen of: Karla Holdcraft

2009-05-15T17:48:00.001-05:00

Chicken Tortellini Soup

From the Kitchen of: Karla Holdcraft
INGREDIENTS
2-3 T butter
2-3 carrots, sliced
2-3 green onions, minced
2-3 stalks celery, minced
1 lb. package mushrooms, sliced – optional
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3 cans chicken broth
2 chicken bouillon cubes, dissolved in 2 cups boiling water
1 c white wine
1 c fat free sour cream
salt & fresh ground pepper to taste
Refrigerated cheese tortellini or ravioli or any cooked pasta
1-2 T fresh Italian parsley, chopped

Melt butter in soup pot. Sauté chicken, onions, carrots, celery
(mushrooms, if
desired). Add fresh ground pepper. Remove chicken when done. Cut into
bite-sized
pieces and set aside. Sprinkle flour over vegetables and mix well to coat.
Sauté for about 2-3 min. Add wine, chicken broth, and bouillon/water. Stir until
thickened and flour dissolves. Add chicken and seasonings. Bring to a low boil and reduce heat.
Keep to a simmer. Stir in sour cream. Add cooked pasta about 10 min before serving.

Chicken Tortilla Soup with Lime From the Kitchen of: Amy Warneke

2009-05-15T17:48:00.000-05:00

Chicken Tortilla Soup with Lime
From the Kitchen of: Amy Warneke

INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 pounds chicken
Salt and freshly ground pepper
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 green pepper, cored, seeded, & chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 jalapeno, minced
2 celery ribs, finely chopped
1/2 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon ground coriander
2 cups yellow corn tortilla chips
2 teaspoons hot sauce, such as Tabasco
1 quart chicken stock or broth
1/2 cup of sour cream, for garnish

Zest and juice of 2 limes
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
4 scallions, white and green parts, thinly sliced

Preheat a medium soup pot over medium-high heat and add the olive oil
twice
around the pan. Chop the chicken into bite-size pieces. Season the
chicken with
salt and pepper and add to the hot soup pot. Lightly brown the chicken,
3 to 4
minutes, then add the garlic, bell peppers, onions, jalapenos, celery,
cumin,
coriander, salt and pepper. Continue to cook for 3 minutes, stirring
frequently.

While that is cooking, place the tortilla chips in a food processor and
process until well ground. If you don’t have a food processor, place the chips in a
sealable
plastic storage bag and crush with a rolling pin. Add the ground tortilla
chips to the soup pot and stir to combine. Add the chicken stock and bring
the soup to a
simmer. Simmer the soup for 15 minutes.

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with the sour cream. Pass the
lime zest,
chopped cilantro, and sliced scallions in shallow bowls for each person
to add to
taste.

Yields: 4 servings.
From the Kitchen of: Amy Warneke

Curry Chutney Cheeseball From the Kitchen of: Tara Tang

2009-05-15T17:46:00.000-05:00

Curry Chutney Cheeseball

From the Kitchen of: Tara Tang

INGREDIENTS
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2T sour cream
2 tsp curry powder
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1/2 cup chopped unsalted peanuts
1/2 cup raisins
Jar of "major grey's" chutney (or other fruity jarred chutney, Trader
Joe's)

Mix together all ingredients except chutney. Chill in the refrigerator for
a bit to
allow it to solidify. Form into a ball. (Hint, I used saran wrap to form
the ball so
it didn't stick to my hands.) Pour the chutney over the cheeseball just
prior to
serving. Serve on top of crackers.

Ham Dip From the Kitchen of: Veronica Scamahorn

2009-05-15T17:45:00.000-05:00

Ham Dip

From the Kitchen of: Veronica Scamahorn

INGREDIENTS
8 oz. 1/3 Less Fat "Neufchâtel" cream cheese, softened
3/4 lb. ham (plain cooked), shaved
1 tsp. green onion - chopped
1/4 c. mayonnaise
2 T chopped parsley

Combine cream cheese and mayo.
Chop up ham, green onion, and parsley in a food processor.
Combine ingredients. Chill.
We enjoy this dip with crackers or veggies!

Buffalo Chicken Dip From the Kitchen of: Krista Plank

2009-05-15T17:44:00.001-05:00

INGREDIENTS
4 chicken breasts
2 8 oz. packages of cream cheese (softened)
3/4 to 1 cup hot wing sauce (I use Frank's)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
4 chicken breasts
2 8 oz. packages of cream cheese (softened)

Cook chicken in crock pot or boil and shred.
Mix together chicken, cream cheese, hot wing sauce, and 1 cup of cheese.
Place in baking dish. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup of cheese on top.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15-25 minutes or until bubbly.
Serve with tortilla chips, Fritos, or celery sticks.

Vidalia Onion Dip From the Kitchen of: Angie Dewey

2009-05-15T17:44:00.000-05:00

Vidalia Onion Dip

From the Kitchen of: Angie Dewey

INGREDIENTS
1 cup Vidalia onion
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
1 cup mayo

Mix together, bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Serve with crackers

Mustard Pretzel Dip

2009-05-15T17:43:00.000-05:00

From the Kitchen of: Meredith Deneau

INGREDIENTS
1 cup sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup yellow mustard
3/4 cup sugar
1 package dry Hidden Valley Ranch dressing
2 Tbsp. horseradish

Soak dry onion is hot water until it is rehydrated. Combine all ingredients
in bowl.
Chill for at least 1 hour. Serve with pretzels.

"Sometimes people need love the most when they deserve it the least."

2009-05-12T12:55:00.000-05:00

Sheri Rose Shepherd

"Hope is only as strong as what it hopes in." Nicole Johnson

2009-05-11T12:56:00.000-05:00

"The knowledge that you have emerged wiser and stronger from setbacks means that you are, ever after, secure in your ability to survive.

2009-05-10T12:57:00.000-05:00

You will never truly know yourself, or the strength of your relationships, until both have been tested by adversity. Such knowledge is a true gift...It is painfully won, and it has been worth more to me than any qualification I ever earned."

-from J.K. Rowling's 2008 Harvard commencement address

"Do not let yourself be bothered with the inconsequential.=?ISO-8859-1?B?oCA=?=One only has so much time in this

2009-05-09T12:57:00.000-05:00

world, so devote it to the work and the people most important to you, to those you love and
things that matter. One can waste half a lifetime with people one doesn't really like or doing
things when one would be better off somewhere else."
Louis L'amour, Ride the River

"Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists.=?ISO-8859-1?B?oCA=?=A baby feels hunger: well, there is such a thing as food.=?ISO-8859-1?B?oCA=?=A duckling wants to swim:

2009-05-08T12:58:00.000-05:00

well, there is such a thing as water. Men feel sexual desire: well, there is such a thing as sex. If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."
C.S. Lewis

"O God! Thou hast made us for Thyself and our souls are restless, searching, 'til they find their rest in Thee."

2009-05-07T12:58:00.000-05:00

St. Augustine of Africa

"Laws and principles are not for times when there is no temptation: they are for moments such as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be. If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth?"

2009-05-06T13:07:00.000-05:00

Charlotte Bronte in Jane Eyre

"The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but He frustrates the ways of the wicked."Psalm 146:9

2009-05-05T13:08:00.000-05:00

"Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all of these things will be given to you as well."

2009-05-04T13:09:00.000-05:00

Matthew 6:33

"...if...you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with
all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have
happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord your God and obey Him. For the Lord
your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon...you..."
Deuteronomy 4:29

"In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity."Albert Einstein

2009-05-03T13:12:00.000-05:00

"Temptation usually comes in through a door that has been deliberately left open."Arnold Glasow

2009-05-02T13:11:00.000-05:00

"Insanity is continuing to do the things you've always done, but expecting different results."

2009-05-01T13:12:00.000-05:00

Dads are important too!

2009-04-30T13:17:00.000-05:00

Here is Joel dressed up as a dad and changing a diaper and dressing a baby.

Meanwhile, Our kids were being taken care of.

2009-04-30T13:15:00.002-05:00

photography project

2009-04-19T13:30:00.000-05:00

* Get a group of people together in a room. Turn out all the lights with the understanding that a camera will be passed around and that each person should take a picture. The only time anyone will know where the camera is at any given moment is if they are actually holding it, or when the flash lights up the room. ( www.52projects.com)

More pics

2009-04-19T12:56:00.000-05:00

Another great meeting!

2009-04-19T12:55:00.000-05:00

Our speaker was a no show, but it did not seem to matter as we had so much to talk about at our tables. We had so much to talk about that I didn’t get around to all the tables to take pictures. If you have pictures, please send them to me!

There were serious moments and moments of mirth. It was a blessed time with like minded ladies.

Candlelight dinner MOPS table

2009-04-19T12:53:00.000-05:00

Dawn invited all of us MOPS ladies to the candlelight dinner at CATC. Two of our seats were empty, but we managed to have a good time. We are hoping that next time ALL of our MOPS ladies are there.

The speaker was funny, the music was rousing. I felt spiritually refreshed. Of course, the conversation was edifying even if we mostly talked about our kids. We had a lot of laughs too.

Dawn decorated our table with her mom’s fiestaware. Beautiful!

³Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us." Psalm 62:8

2009-04-17T15:11:00.003-05:00

Karlas Quick Crowd-Pleasing Pasta

2009-04-17T15:08:00.002-05:00

Here's one of our favorite all-in-one dishes lately. It takes 10-15 min to make and reheats well. It's sort of an Asian noodle dish (from one of those easy food magazines)
Ingredients:
·   8 oz angel hair pasta ( I use whole wheat in this one)
·   2 cups broccoli florets (or whatever vegetable - we like asparagus)
·   1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into thin strips
·   1/2 cup Kraft Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing
·   2 Tbsp soy sauce
·   1/4 tsp each of ground ginger, garlic powder, crushed red pepper
·   1/3 cup chopped dry roasted peanuts
Directions:
Cook pasta as directed, add vegetable in with pasta to cook. Cook chicken until done. Stir in dressing, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and red pepper. Cook about 1 min.
Drain pasta, add chicken mixture and mix lightly. Sprinkle with peanuts.

"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" 1 Corinthians 15:57

2009-04-17T15:02:00.003-05:00

Be VERY scared!

2009-04-05T11:24:00.001-05:00

Don't be scared!

2009-04-05T11:24:00.000-05:00

It’s just our MOPS boys

MOPS ladies

2009-04-05T11:23:00.000-05:00

outside our meeting in the springy weather

SPRING MOPS MEETING!

2009-04-05T11:15:00.000-05:00

Don’t we all look bright and happy!

Life on the Rock

2009-03-27T20:20:00.000-05:00

Good times at our MOPS meetings

2009-03-27T20:10:00.000-05:00

She's crafty

2009-03-27T20:00:00.002-05:00

Here's us doing our spring craft:

Outside MOPS

2009-03-27T12:23:00.002-05:00

kids at play

2009-03-26T14:52:00.002-05:00

I wouldn't have thought it possible but I think that my son might enjoy MOPS as much as I do! This is our fifthyear and he really knows his MOPS friends well (maybe we should be put into age groups so we are with the same people every year ! j.k.)

Here are pictures of our kids doing what they do while we do what we do.

MOPS playdate

2009-03-26T14:36:00.000-05:00

Dawn, Melissa and seven MOPS kids. The kids are, in no particular order: Lincoln & Robin , Peyton & Jack , Katherine, Kate & Ellie

Easter Nests

2009-03-24T14:00:00.000-05:00

This recipe makes perfect nests for Easter chicks! Melt 1/2 cup of butter in a saucepan. Add 1 cup of brown sugar. Boil and stir for one minute. Add a 3-ounce can of chow mein noodles. Put the mixture in 12 paper baking cups in a muffin tin. Use your thumb to press noodles tin a nest shape while still warm. Do not bake. Allow nests to cool. Give jelly beans to children to place in the centers of their nests.

2009 couple's dinner: "Food around the World"

2009-03-23T12:42:00.006-05:00

January 30 was a great night out. Our speakers, Marianne and Andy Miller, were both insightful and hilarious. The food was delicious and it was fun to have some testosterone in our MOPS room! Every couple will brought a dish to share based on this year's theme "Food around the World"

THANK YOU JOSIE FOR ORGANIZING EVERYTHING!

A Good Old Time

2009-03-20T19:46:00.000-05:00

Linda, Veronica and Tara.

A few mops moms got together this past winter (yes, it is still winter until tomorrow) at Conner Prairie. The kids (and the moms) had a great time!

Warning from Stacy. Don't go anywhere if Emma will be there with a camera

Tara and Stacy

Dawn bonding

Tara's tea party

The kids have fun

until Dawn and Emma take over.

"Live the way Jesus would live your life if He had your life to live." Dallas Willard

2009-03-20T18:36:00.006-05:00

Give generously without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to

2009-03-20T18:35:00.002-05:00

Deuteronomy 15:10

"He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and He will reward him for what he has done." Proverbs 19:17

2009-03-20T18:34:00.002-05:00

"If my boys missed a meal because they refused to obey our rules, then so be it. It certainly did not harm them!"

2009-03-20T18:30:00.002-05:00

Scrapbooking activity

2009-03-19T13:30:00.000-05:00

Scrapbooking:

* Randomly grab a packet of photos from the place where you store all your photographs (that you've been intending to put into photo albums, of course). Take a good long look at each photo as you flip through the stack. Then, write the story of this particular collection of pictures. What event, people, place, vacation is captured on film? What's in the pictures that you can't remember happening? What feels like it happened just yesterday? After you're done writing it all down, fold up the paper and enclose it with the pictures in the packet. When you finally do get around to putting those pictures in an album, you'll get a nice surprise when you rediscover the story. ( www.52projects.com)

2009-02-23T19:55:00.006-06:00

Exciting things are happening and we want to keep you in the loop. Here are three things that we think you'll want to know about:

1. Women in the Word Monday Mornings - new studies launch on March 9th.
This weekly time for Bible study, worship and fellowship is launching two new studies: Chasing Daylight and Shepherding a Child's Heart.

2. Women's Candlelight Dinner - enjoy a delicious meal, beautiful tables, and a concert by Kim Tabor.
Mark your calenders for April 14, 16, and 17. Tickets go on sale Feb. 28/March 1. If you are interested in hosting and decorating a table for eight, contact Michelle atmcedeno@crowewealth.com for details.

3. Women's Ministries Mailing List. May we add your name and email address to our mailing list? We'd love to keep you up to date on important things that are happening for women at CATC. If you'd like to add your name, send an email to Tasha attdelavergne@churchatthecrossing.org

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

2009-02-14T18:42:00.002-06:00

Adventures in loving our kids

2009-02-14T18:41:00.001-06:00

My kid is now at the age when he says: “ I don’t love you mommy!” That irritates me. He also says “You don’t love me anymore!” That hurts me. I know he is just “saying words” and does not mean them (as he tells me) but it horrifies me that he might not feel that I love him.
Luckily for us, we don’t have to worry about our kids feeling unloved in their moppets’ class! Melissa Henney, our older-moppets leader says, “The teachers are AWESOME this year. They were hand picked by us!”
Melissa has developed a curriculum for our kids that is beyond anything our MOPS group has had before.
“We are excited for all the wonderful changes made to the MOPPETS program this year. Your children are always well taken care of but this year the older kids are really going to get more out of the 2 hours you are with other MOPS moms. They will be learning about God and many of the wonderful things He made,” says Melissa.
In their classes, the kids get to do a fun craft, sing, maybe even dance, and have lots of laughs and smiles.
If you ever have any questions or concerns about your kids please see Melissa Henney or Stephanie Simpson.

" If we look to Him for guidance, wisdom and strength, we can face our what-ifs with confidence.." Danielle Behlmer

2009-02-14T18:40:00.000-06:00

I am so grateful to have found CATC and this MOPS group. You are all amazing! - Melissa Henney

2009-02-14T18:37:00.000-06:00

Heather Lee's Chicken Parmigiana

2009-02-14T18:33:00.005-06:00

4 chicken breasts
“Cyanide hour” with Heather Lee
Quick, easy and satisfying Chicken Parmigiana recipe for that hour of the day when you wait for your husband while kids hang off you whining.

1/2 c. Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
1/2 c. parmesan
1 lg egg, lightly beaten
2 Tbsp. butter/marg
(14 oz) spag. sauce
1 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

Flatten chicken to 1/4-inch thickness, using a meat mallet (also nice to get out frustrations!).
Combine breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. Dip chicken in beaten egg; dredge in breadcrumb mixture.
Melt butter in a large skillet; add chicken, and brown on each side over medium-high heat. Arrange chicken in a lightly greased baking dish. Pour spaghetti
sauce over, and sprinkle with mozzarella. Cover and bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Serve with spaghetti noodles.

Traci's Blueberry Lemon Crumb Bars:

2009-02-14T18:30:00.000-06:00

Blueberry Lemon Crumb Bars:

1 18.25 pkg. Yellow Cake Mix
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 large egg
1 14 oz. can Fat-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/2 cup lemon Juice
1 cup White Chocolate chips
2 cups fresh or frozen (thawed) blueberries

Preheat oven to 350. Spray the bottome of a 13 x 9 pan with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large bowl place cake mix, softened butter and egg. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed until blended and crumbly. Press half the mixture evenly into the bottom of prepared pan and Bake for 15 min.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl whick together condensed milk lemon juice and white chips. Stir until blended.

Arrange blueberries evenly over partially baked crust. Pour lemon mixture over blueberries and sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture.

Bake for 20-24 min. or until topping is brown. Cool completely, cut into bars and store in the refrigerator.

Enjoy.

KIDS EAT FREE! (or almost free)

2009-02-14T17:44:00.003-06:00

Monday :

McAlister's Deli,Kids Meal Special(s) Details: Kids 12 and Under Eat Free (Purchase of an Adult Entree)
Monday Night: 9450 N Meridian Street, Indy 569-8900, 8355 E 116th Street, Fishers 842-9400
Old Towne Ale Houes Kids Meal Special(s) Available On: Monday Details: Kids 10 and Under Eat for $1.00 with (Purchase of an Adult Entree) Location: Fishers
Majors Sports Cafe, Kids Meal Special(s) Available On: Monday, Details: Kids 12 and Under Eat Free (Purchase of an Adult Entree) Face painting and entertainment included. Location: 116th/Keystone Street Located across from the Merchant Mall
C.R. Heroes Family Pub Kids Meal Special(s) Details: Kids 12 and Under Eat for Free with (Purchase of an Adult Entree) Face Painting, ballon animals and a kids game room Location: 10570 E. 96th Street, Fishers Scotty's Brewhouse

Tuesday:

McAlister's Deli, Kids Meal Special(s) Available , Details: Kids 12 and Under Eat Free (Purchase of an Adult Entree), Tuesday Night:, 2271 Pointe Parkway, Carmel 817-8000

C.R. Heroes Family Pub Kids Meal Special(s) Details: Kids 12 and Under Eat for Free with (Purchase of an Adult Entree) Face Painting, ballon animals and a kids game room Location: 10570 E. 96th Street, Fishers Scotty's Brewhouse

Fazoli's Kids Meal Special(s) Available On: Tuesday Details: On Tuesdays from 5 to 8pm (check your local Fazoli's for day and time), we reserve an area of our restaurant just for you! Kids meals only $.99 with purchase of adult entree / dine in only. *** Kids Night is available at participating locations only - please call ahead and verify.

Locations:
465 East Carmel Drive
Carmel, Indiana 46032
2374 West 86th Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46260
East 82nd Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46250
6231 North Keystone
Indianapolis, Indiana 46220
7511 East Washington Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46219
3924 Lafayette Road
Indianapolis, Indiana 46254
4742 Emerson Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46203
1695 Meridian Oaks Drive
Greenwood, Indiana 46142
4410 S Scatterfield Rd
Anderson, IN 46013

Denny's Kids Meal Special(s) Available On: Tuesdays Details: Kids eat free every Tuesday night from 4 PM- 10 PM (and at some locations on Saturday nights too!) There are many locations throughout the area. Call ahead to make sure they participate.
Lonestar Steakhouse Kids Meal Special(s) Available On: Tuesdays Details: Kids eat free on Tuesdays (all day) *2 kids per adult entree.
Bennigan's Kids Meal Special(s) Available On: Tuesdays Details: Grab the kids and let them eat for free on Tuesdays from 4 PM- 10 PM. Several locations throughout Indiana.
Chick-fil-A Kids Meal Special(s) Available On: Tuesday Details: Kids 12 and Under Eat for Free with (Purchase of an Adult Entree) Location: Various locations around Indy and surronding towns

Thursday:

Captain D's Kids Meal Special(s) Available On: Thursday Details: On Thursday, get 2 FREE kid's meals with any adult entree purchase at regular price (dine-in only). Participating locations only - please check with your local Captain D's for details. Locations: 718 US 31 North Greenwood, Indiana 46142

Friday:

Skyline Chili Kids Meal Special(s) Available On: Friday nights (5-9pm) Details: Kids 10 and Under Eat Free (Purchase of an Adult Entree) Location: Noblesville

Saturdays

Lone Star Steakhouse,11 - 4 p.m.

Quizno's Subs 99 cent kids meals with adult purchase

Denny'sKids Meal Special(s) Details: Kids eat free on Saturdays (11 AM- 4 PM). *2 kids per adult entree

Sunday:

Scotty's Brewhouse Kids Meal Specials Available On: Sunday Location: 96th Street, Indianapolis

EVERY DAY!

Golden Corral, Kids Meal Special(s) Available On: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Details: All day - every day, Children 3 and under eat Free from the buffet with the purchase of an adult meal

Locations:
7910 North Shadeland Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46250
6102 West 38th Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46254
10220 East Washington Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46229
2224 Hadley Road
Plainfield, Indiana 46168
287 South 00 E/W
Kokomo, Indiana 46902
160 South Marlin Drive
Greenwood, Indiana 46142

"Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling snow while it's still snowing." - Phyllis Diller

2009-02-14T17:25:00.001-06:00

Karla's Carmel Rolls

2009-02-14T16:42:00.001-06:00

CARAMEL ROLLS
1 bag frozen bread dough/rolls-36 piece (like Rhodes) or 2 loaves (cut into approx. 40 pieces)
2 small packages vanilla cook & serve pudding mix (NOT instant)
1/2 c. butter
1 c. brown sugar
2 T. milk
1/2 t. cinnamon
pecans (optional)

Thaw bread* (in refrigerator or microwave). In the bottom of a greased 13x9 pan arrange half the rolls. Melt butter; add brown sugar, pudding mix, milk and cinnamon. Mix together and pour over bread pieces. Break up pecans over top. Then arrange second layer of rolls on top of all. Let rise 3 hours. Bake 20-25 min. at 350. Cool a little in pan. Then turn upside down on platter and let caramel drizzle over top of rolls.

*HINTS: I usually just throw the frozen rolls into a sprayed pan, pour the caramel on, and let rise overnight. It gets huge, so I put something underneath to catch the mess, and I "poke" the rolls back a little before I bake. Mine always runs over, so I put a cookie sheet w/ foil underneath.

STEERING RETREAT

2009-02-14T16:32:00.002-06:00

While you were all sleeping off the effects of your kids late night after the couples' dinner (or whatever you were doing on Friday night), the MOPS steering team was working hard firming up our MOPS programming for the rest of the year. That the meeting involved a lot of laughter, cookies, and a tasty lunch is neither here nor there!

One of the subjects we discussed is steering positions for next year. As you know, some of us are graduating, moving, or retiring. For the 2009-2010 steering team we are recruiting specifically for positions in creative activities and hospitality. There are many perks. If you join steering, you get to go to our summer retreat where we spend a day planning the year, brainstorming speakers, crafts, and other activities. You also get to go to our monthly meetings to ensure all the details are in place for each meeting.

Being on Steering is fun and encouraging. We pray together, eat together and laugh together and have the satisfaction that we are doing something that makes a difference – helping mothers realize their worth in God’s eyes.

Please let Dawn know if you are interested.

Here we all are at our winter steering retreat (the next one is in the summer).

Don't we look like we are working hard!

PAMPERING DAY

2009-02-08T19:30:00.005-06:00

Friday, February 6 was our MOPS PAmpering Day

This is what we did:

Created a scrapbook project or Valentine's card with Jenni Beasley, MOPS mom and Creative Memories Consultant

Received a mini massage from Pat Samples of The Masters Hand

Shopped for unique jewelry made by Lisa Oberndorfer

of Elemo

Got beauty tips and shop for Mary Kay products with Anita Casterline, Independent Beauty Consultant. Lana won the give away!

Got Bra fitted with Maia Bray from Nordstrom at the Fashion Mall

MOPS mom Stephanie Fearnow received a make over on site! Check out her new look...hair style, make-up and outfit.

Before:

After:

Josie told us funny stories

We all had a great time!

Thanks to our organizers!

"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

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new year’s adventures, Emma Kalinowski

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Do you make new years resolutions? I gave them up a few years ago as being unspiritual. Some of things I put on the list were just embarrassing… such as read the bible every day… pray every day… How shameful that I was not doing this already!
In the last couple of years, I have come back to resolutions with a new attitude. My resolutions might seem frivolous but I believe that the silly things are important to God because all things are important to Him.
How did I change my idea of resolutions? Through having a son. I love Joel and I think that everything about him is wonderful and important. If he were to make new years resolutions I would want them to be: Always ask mommy’s permission, always obey mommy without complaining, and stop throwing things at mommy. Don’t tell mommy I don’t love her.
Joel is amazing, but at four, he is not about to write this list. However, if he did write a list, whatever it included, I would think was wonderful and charming, intelligent and amazing. I would care about everything on the list and I would want to help him to keep his resolutions.
I think that God feels the same way about us. He is excited by all our resolutions because He is excited about us. We are his creation in whom He delights, just as we delight in our children and in all the trivial things that they do.
I think that in prayer God sometimes answers our prayers exactly as we ask him to, and other times meets the needs we don’t know we are expressing behind the prayer. In the same way, I think He sees our resolutions for what they are, and sees the unspoken needs behind them.

One of my resolutions is to go to Target only once a month. That sounds like an unspiritual resolution. Does God care? I believe he does. He knows I can’t go to Target without spending at least $100. He wants me to be a good steward of the resources he has blessed me with; therefore, He probably cares about my trips to Target.

What resolutions do you have? Do you want to lose 10 pounds before that wedding or that beach vacation? I think that God cares about this too. He wants us to treat our bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit. Does God want us to keep our resolution if it will involve abusing our bodies or our families or friends? I think not.

One thing that I want us to do this year is get Joel and I involved in some sort of outreach activity that is age-appropriate. Another thing I want to help him with is to nurture relationships that feed his spirit. Every year I examine my friendships and decide which relationships I want to cultivate. I think that we have to be intentional with friendships or they disintegrate. I choose relationships that encourage me and help me keep Christ at the center of things. A friendship that feeds my spirit is a gift I give myself and one I think God blesses. Joel also needs the same thing, and it is part of my job as his mom to set up play dates, etc., and help him nurture his relationships.

So, make your resolutions. I believe God cares because He cares about you. If what you resolve is what God wills for you then He will give you the strength to accomplish it. I also think that sometimes God uses our resolutions, whether in success or failure, to teach us how we can better follow Him.

Together, we are the hands and feet of Jesus! Pastor Tim Broyles

2009-01-14T18:49:00.000-06:00

Twas the night before Christmas, when all thru the abode Only one creature was stirring, she was cleaning the commode. The children were

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finally all snug in their beds,
while visions of Nintendo 64 & Barbie flipped through their heads.

The dad was snoring in front of the TV,
with a half-constructed bicycle propped on his knee.
So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,
which made her sigh, "Now what is the matter?"

With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand,
She descended the stairs, & saw the old man.
He was covered with ashes & soot, which fell with a shrug,
"Oh great," muttered the mom, "Now I have to clean the rug."

"Ho Ho Ho!" cried Santa, "I'm glad you're awake."
"your gift was especially difficult to make."
"Thanks, Santa, but all I that I want is time alone."
"Exactly!" he chuckled, "So, I've made you a clone."

"A clone?" she muttered, "What good is that?"
"Run along, Santa, I've no time for chit chat."
Then out walked the clone - The mother's twin,
Same hair, same eyes, same double chin.

"She'll cook, she'll dust, she'll mop every mess.
You'll relax, take it easy, watch The Young & The Restless."
"Fantastic!" the mom cheered. "My dream has come true!"
"I'll shop, I'll read, I'll sleep a night through!"

From the room above, the youngest did fret.
"Mommy?! Come quickly, I'm scared & I'm wet."
The clone replied, "I'm coming, sweetheart."
"Hey," the mom smiled, "She sure knows her part."

The clone changed the small one & hummed him a tune,
as she bundled the child in a blanket cocoon.
"You're the best mommy ever. I really love you."
The clone smiled & sighed, "And I love you, too."

The mom frowned & said, "Sorry, Santa, no deal."
That's my child's LOVE she is trying to steal."
Smiling wisely Santa said, "To me it is clear,
Only one loving mother is needed here."

The mom kissed her child & tucked her in bed.
"Thank You, Santa, for clearing my head.
I sometimes forget, it won't be very long,
when they'll be too old for my cradle & song."

The clock on the mantle began to chime.
Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time."
With the clone by his side, Santa said "Goodnight.
Merry Christmas, dear Mom, You will be all right."

"Twas The Night Before Christmas….Mom Style"

Thanks Jennifor sharing!

The angel said to them ”Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.Today in the town of David a Savior  has

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been born to you;he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you.   You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
Luke 2: 9-12

Turkey left over recipe

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I roll my turkey around some stuffing. They look like enchiladas. Then I cover with turkey gravy and warm in oven till warm. Yum.

Stephanie Fearnow

How to use your Thanksgiving/ Christmas turkey left overs

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a really yummy idea of how to use your
Thanksgiving/ Christmas turkey left overs

This only works if you have some fixings (stuffing/mashed potatoes). It's called Bubble and Squeak (we saw some British chef on the food network make it around Thanksgiving time)- take your turkey and cut/shred it into smaller pieces, then mix with left over dressing/stuffing and mashed potatoes along with any other yummy thing that might blend well (Jon liked his with corn). Then form small patties out of them and cook them in a skillet with about 1 1/2 T oil. You'll see it Bubble and hear it squeak when you cook them :)- thus the cute name. Brown both sides and drizzle with either gravy from your previous meal or make a quick "gravy" with chicken or beef broth and crushed up corn cooked corn- it's also good without gravy and just some salt and pepper.

My kids loved this, and they won't eat mashed potatoes, so I was pleased when Anna said they were fabulous. She claimed they tasted like french fries (of course she used ketchup!).

Just thought I'd share!

Sara Molendorp