Enjoy an evening out while the women of MOPS provide childcare during their annual fundraiser on Saturday, November 12 from 5:30-8:30 pm in the Generations Wing. There is a suggested donation of $10 per child with a $25 family maximum.
There will be planned activities and lots of fun for your kids. Please share this information with your friends! It is available to all members of the community. Please RSVP below by November 9. Any questions can be directed to Melissa at melissa.r.ho@gmail.com. You can register your child/children at www.woodcrestchurch.org under the MOPS tab.
Hope to see you there! Tell your friends!
Friday, October 21, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Note From Jenny | Living on a Budget
I (Jenny) hope you enjoyed our speaker last week and her talk on living on a budget. I appreciated all her handouts and resources. I was thinking of a few other money saving strategies. I would like your ideas too.
One thing I have done this time with my son Simon (wish I had done it the first time with Anna) is make some of my own baby food. It is really pretty easy, doesn't take much time, and is very cost effective. There are several recipes out there- here is an easy one- or you can simply take frozen or fresh fruits and veggies, steam or cook to soften, blend or grind them up, and add water to get desired consistency.
Baby's Chicken and Apples
Ingredients
1 6-ounce skinless, boneless chicken breast half
1 medium (5 to 6 ounces) apple, peeled, cored and cut up
2 teaspoons unsweetened apple juice
Directions
1. In a small saucepan, cook chicken breast half in enough boiling water to cover for 15 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink (internal temperature should be 170°F). Remove from saucepan; cool. Reserve the water the chicken was cooked in. Cut up cooked chicken into small pieces
2. Meanwhile, grind apple in a food mill or mini food processor with the apple juice until the consistency of applesauce; set aside.
3. Grind chicken in a food mill or mini food processor. Mix ground chicken and applesauce together. Add 2 to 4 tablespoons reserved cooking liquid for the consistency your child likes. Use within 1 day, or freeze up to 1 month.
To Freeze: Spoon finished food into ice cube trays. Cover with waxed paper and freeze until firm. When ice cubes are frozen, remove cubes from tray and store in a resealable plastic freezer bag or freezer container. Label package with contents and date. Use within 1 month. Before serving, let thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
To Serve: Heat thawed mixture to lukewarm in a small dish set in a pan of hot water. Stir before serving. Always sample a small bite to make sure the food is not too hot.
*****
Another thing I have heard about (haven't tried it though) is to make baby wipes. I googled it and found these instructions.
Lisa's Baby Wipes
1/8 - 1/4 c oil (mineral or baby oil) 1/8 - 1/4 c baby shampoo
1-1/2 - 2 cups water 8 drops of lavender oil
5 drops of tea tree oil (optional) ½ roll paper towels
Add the baby shampoo last, mix the solution gently.
Another Baby Wipes Recipe
2-1/4 cups water 2 tbsp baby shampoo
1 tbsp baby oil 1 roll paper towels, cut in half
And finally, one last idea that I would really like to try is making my own laundry soap. A friend told me about the recipes on the Duggar family's website. Here they are
Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value
4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax
- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)
-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.
Powdered Laundry Detergent - Top load machine
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax
-Grate soap or break into pieces and process in a food processor until powdered. Mix all ingredients. For light load, use 1 Tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 Tablespoons. Yields: 3 Cups detergent. (Approx. 40 loads)
What do you think? Do you have any experience with these types of things? Any other ideas you are willing to share?
One thing I have done this time with my son Simon (wish I had done it the first time with Anna) is make some of my own baby food. It is really pretty easy, doesn't take much time, and is very cost effective. There are several recipes out there- here is an easy one- or you can simply take frozen or fresh fruits and veggies, steam or cook to soften, blend or grind them up, and add water to get desired consistency.
Baby's Chicken and Apples
Ingredients
1 6-ounce skinless, boneless chicken breast half
1 medium (5 to 6 ounces) apple, peeled, cored and cut up
2 teaspoons unsweetened apple juice
Directions
1. In a small saucepan, cook chicken breast half in enough boiling water to cover for 15 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink (internal temperature should be 170°F). Remove from saucepan; cool. Reserve the water the chicken was cooked in. Cut up cooked chicken into small pieces
2. Meanwhile, grind apple in a food mill or mini food processor with the apple juice until the consistency of applesauce; set aside.
3. Grind chicken in a food mill or mini food processor. Mix ground chicken and applesauce together. Add 2 to 4 tablespoons reserved cooking liquid for the consistency your child likes. Use within 1 day, or freeze up to 1 month.
To Freeze: Spoon finished food into ice cube trays. Cover with waxed paper and freeze until firm. When ice cubes are frozen, remove cubes from tray and store in a resealable plastic freezer bag or freezer container. Label package with contents and date. Use within 1 month. Before serving, let thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
To Serve: Heat thawed mixture to lukewarm in a small dish set in a pan of hot water. Stir before serving. Always sample a small bite to make sure the food is not too hot.
*****
Another thing I have heard about (haven't tried it though) is to make baby wipes. I googled it and found these instructions.
Lisa's Baby Wipes
1/8 - 1/4 c oil (mineral or baby oil) 1/8 - 1/4 c baby shampoo
1-1/2 - 2 cups water 8 drops of lavender oil
5 drops of tea tree oil (optional) ½ roll paper towels
Add the baby shampoo last, mix the solution gently.
Another Baby Wipes Recipe
2-1/4 cups water 2 tbsp baby shampoo
1 tbsp baby oil 1 roll paper towels, cut in half
And finally, one last idea that I would really like to try is making my own laundry soap. A friend told me about the recipes on the Duggar family's website. Here they are
Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value
4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax
- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)
-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.
Powdered Laundry Detergent - Top load machine
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax
-Grate soap or break into pieces and process in a food processor until powdered. Mix all ingredients. For light load, use 1 Tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 Tablespoons. Yields: 3 Cups detergent. (Approx. 40 loads)
What do you think? Do you have any experience with these types of things? Any other ideas you are willing to share?
Monday, October 10, 2011
MOPS Recipes: 7 Layer Bars + Breakfast Sandwich Dish
I don't know about you, but I end up eating way too much each morning we have MOPS. The food is just so good! I always love getting new recipes, so I am highlighting a couple of recipes from each MOPS meeting on our MOPS blog!
This past Friday, I couldn't get enough of the 7 Layer Bars. I've always wondered how to make these! Here is the recipe, from Sarah B. Thanks, Sarah, for sharing your recipe with us!
7 Layer Bars
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 (14 ounce) can EAGLE BRAND® Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F (325 degrees for glass dish). Coat 13x9-inch baking pan with no-stick cooking spray.
2. Combine graham cracker crumbs and butter. Press into bottom of prepared pan. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumb mixture. Layer evenly with chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut and nuts. Press down firmly with a fork.
3. Bake 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool. Cut into bars or diamonds. Store covered at room temperature.
Another food I just couldn't get enough of this week was Sarah M's breakfast sandwich dish! I had no idea you can make breakfast sandwiches as an "egg bake" sort of dish...but I sure am glad I know now! Here is Sarah M's recipe:
Breakfast Sandwich
12 pieces English muffin bread
½ lb thin sliced ham
½ lb sliced Swiss cheese
½ lb shredded Cheddar cheese
8 eggs
3 cups milk
½ tsp dry mustard
½ tsp salt
1 ½ cup corn flakes, crushed
½ cup melted butter
Grease a 9x13 pan. Butter bread and lay, butter side up, in the pan. Cover with Swiss cheese slices, layer ham and Cheddar cheese. Cover with another layer of bread, butter side up. Blend eggs with milk, dry mustard and salt. Pour over the bread. Refrigerate overnight.
Before baking, mix cornflakes and melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture on top of bread in pan. Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.
This past Friday, I couldn't get enough of the 7 Layer Bars. I've always wondered how to make these! Here is the recipe, from Sarah B. Thanks, Sarah, for sharing your recipe with us!
7 Layer Bars
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 (14 ounce) can EAGLE BRAND® Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F (325 degrees for glass dish). Coat 13x9-inch baking pan with no-stick cooking spray.
2. Combine graham cracker crumbs and butter. Press into bottom of prepared pan. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumb mixture. Layer evenly with chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut and nuts. Press down firmly with a fork.
3. Bake 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool. Cut into bars or diamonds. Store covered at room temperature.
Another food I just couldn't get enough of this week was Sarah M's breakfast sandwich dish! I had no idea you can make breakfast sandwiches as an "egg bake" sort of dish...but I sure am glad I know now! Here is Sarah M's recipe:
Breakfast Sandwich
12 pieces English muffin bread
½ lb thin sliced ham
½ lb sliced Swiss cheese
½ lb shredded Cheddar cheese
8 eggs
3 cups milk
½ tsp dry mustard
½ tsp salt
1 ½ cup corn flakes, crushed
½ cup melted butter
Grease a 9x13 pan. Butter bread and lay, butter side up, in the pan. Cover with Swiss cheese slices, layer ham and Cheddar cheese. Cover with another layer of bread, butter side up. Blend eggs with milk, dry mustard and salt. Pour over the bread. Refrigerate overnight.
Before baking, mix cornflakes and melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture on top of bread in pan. Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Abby V. | Running For Uganda
It's getting close...8 weeks and counting. I'm heading to a land I've only dreamed of going; a two-week vision trip to Kampala, Uganda to learn more about World Vision and to run a marathon. The list of to-do's is long, and every day it seems to get longer...I need to buy my plane tickets. I have to run __ miles today. I need to get my shots. I need to buy a raincoat. Childcare for my boys while I'm gone is constantly on my mind. How will I make it without seeing those little faces each and every day?
But the highest on my priority list needs to be to thank God for this incredible opportunity (it's not always up there, but I'm working on that). I cannot wait to deepen our relationship with this country! This whole trip still doesn't seem real, but it has been incredible to watch God open doors within World Vision, our family, and our community.
(source)
Training for the full marathon is going as well as can be expected. I'm still trying to determine if running is a "passion" of mine, but I'm beginning to think it might be like pregnancy ~ you don't want anything to do with it while you're in the last trimester (or the first trimester, if you're like me), but as soon as it's over, you long for the belly? The race is finally scheduled for Sunday, November 27. I'm quite thankful for this warmer weather we've been having here, as I'm now trying to train in the heat of the day instead of avoiding it at all costs, like I did this summer. The miles are starting to add up, and I'm feeling well. My current struggle is fitting in all the runs during the week, just with the busyness of life, but I'm extremely blessed with an amazing husband who keeps the kids happy while I'm out running and encourages me along the way.
We're also making headway with our child sponsorship goal ~ I don't have exact numbers, but I'm estimating we have close to 40 children sponsored. I would love to answer any questions regarding child sponsorships. It is an amazing relationship with a specific child, whose community is helped due to your gracious giving. I also want to challenge everyone to tell your friends and family about the opportunity of child sponsorship. Only God knows who will begin a child sponsorship! Our team website is:
As for the adoption, we received word last Friday that our dossier (paperwork for the adoption) has been approved in Uganda, so we are currently in line to receive our referral (picture and paperwork for a child). Please be in prayer for this entire process, as it is a little nerve-racking. We know that God is in control during this entire journey, but this has been (just a little) bit of a challenge for this major control freak... : )
I've heard this following quote a number of times, but the words have never lost their sting...does it make you feel a little uneasy, too?
Sometimes I'd like to ask God why He allows poverty, famine, and injustice in the world when He could do something about it...but I'm afraid God might ask me the same question.
Also, here are the book recommendations from Abby's talk last week at MOPS:
~ Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman
~ The Hole in our Gospel by Rich Sterns
~ There is No Me without You by Melissa Faye Greene
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)