Trick or Treating - at Madison House

It's time to Trick or Treat Time

We would love for you to join us

When: Fri, Oct 29th
Time: 9:30- 11:30am
Where: Madison House Retirement Center
12215 Ne 128th St, Kirkland, WA 98034

*A group of us will be there at the start, if you decided to go later, only trick or treat on doors with pumpkins.*

Tuesday October 19th

This week Marlene Shirley was back to give us some practical tips for making it through the holidays healthy. She came last year and gave an awesome 12minute workout for moms. And I hear rumor that several moms still use it.

Her very practical tips were this:

1. Eat before you go - this way you wont fill up on all the other party food
2. Decide what you are going to eat before you go
3. Drink HEAVILY!! - water that is, it will make you feel full and it helps digestion & flushes out toxins.
4. Be conscious of what you're eating. Don't visit in the same room the food is in .
5. Don't make food your focus, make people your focus.
6. Portion control. Be sensible.
7. Good old fashion self control

She also gave us some great exercises we could do in our own home. I took pictures but decided these were pretty self explanatory & wouldn't post the pics.

Wall sits - can add weights as you do these for bicep work
Planks - work up to a minute, strengthens your glutes, core and arms.
Push -ups
Squats - add weights if you like for more of a workout
Lunges
Sit ups
Bridges
Mountain climbs
Jump rope - this is so good for you & gets your heart rate going
Burpees

***Do these exercises in 3 sets with 8 reps each time***
She also teaches a class on Tues & Thurs at Cedar Park from 6-7:15am - no childcare - FREE

New MOPS

Well MOPS is underway and already we are having so much fun!

Our name tags are the cutest ever!!! And our table decorations are simple but fun. This year is promising to be a great year. A few pictures from our last meeting.

Are you joining us this year? You can still come, don't miss out on all the fun this year.

History Heroines

Foreign Language Freshman Biology Brainiacs

And each table has a creative Bible verse that goes along with the name. Clever!

Aren't these the cutest name tags? The pink & blue spots indicate the number of children and boy/girl.

New Year

Fall is here and for me Fall is like a whole new year. School starts, new schedules & activities, the leaves start falling and MOPS starts again.

MOPS begins this Tuesday Sept 21st.

The theme this year is Momology - the Art & Science of being a mom. I love it!! This year already promises to be a great year.

See you Tuesday!

The Path to Eternal Life, Paved in Marinara

This fun kid storie was taken from my cousin by marriage, Tiffany, who writes a cool blog over at Still Seeking Sanity. I had to share it.


I was a bit flabbergasted last night at dinner when Grant announced to me, "Mommy, if you eat tomatoes, you go to heaven!"

Wait... what?!?

I asked him. "Who told you that, sweetie?"

"Sissie did." And he looked right at her.

I did my best to hide the look that must have been struggling to cross my face. She held up her finger, and I waited for her to finish chewing the bite that was in her mouth. Her head tilted to one side, her body language telling me that she knew exactly what he was talking about, and she wasn't at all ashamed about the lesson she was teaching her poor, innocent, gullible little brothers.

I kept waiting.

"Mom, I told them not to eat the little red berries on the pokey bushes. And if they did, they would die, and then after they die they go to heaven."

OK, that makes sense.

Yes, we have several huge holly bushes, and they still have berries on them. Sometimes it's hard to convince three year old boys not to eat things. I guess Emma did her best.

We're gonna have to work on some spiritual teachings around here, though, lest the boys actually start to believe that salsa saves.

Laundry Detergent Recipe

This recipe makes one 5 gallon bucket of laundry detergent.
**laundry detergent has no smell** But the smell isn't what cleans your clothes


1bar of Fels-Naptha soap
1/2 Cup Borax
1/2 Cup Washing powder
1 5gallon bucket & lid

You can find all the ingredients at Fred Meyers on the laundry soap isle, well except the bucket, that you get at Lowes or Home Depot

Grade the whole bar of soap. Melt in 4cups of water on the stove.
Pour into the bucket
Add the Borax and the washing powder
Fill the bucket to the top with water - lukewarm or Hot
Let sit overnight


Use 1/4 - 1/2 cup of soap per load.
*The detergent will look like gel with a little liquid, use the gel & liquid when measuring each load*

Mt. Dew Cake

This is one of the most Moist cakes I have ever made. You will not be disappointed.

1 box Lemon cake mix
1 3.4 ounce instant vanilla pudding
4 eggs
3/4 cup oil
1 can (12 oz) Mt. Dew
Powder Sugar (optional)

In mixing bowl combine all ingredients. Beat on medium for 2Min's.
Pour into greased & floured bundt pan.
Bake 350 for 45-50 minutes
Cool for 10 mins before removing from pan, dust with powder sugar if desired.

**submitted by Gina Detlor**

BEST ever Pizza dough

This is the BEST pizza dough recipe I have come across. It makes two 9-inch deep dish pizzas. It is from America's Test Kitchen.


serving 4 to 6

Dough
l/2 cup olive oil
3/4 cup skim milk plus 2 additional tablespoons, warmed to 110 degrees
2 teaspoons sugar
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour , plus extra for counter
I package instant yeast
1/2 teaspoon table salt

Topping
1(3.5-ounce) package sliced pepperoni
1 1/3 cups tomato sauce (I make my own with Tomato sauce & seasonings)
3 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese


1. To make the dough: Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 200 degrees. When oven reaches 200 degrees, turn it off.

Lightly grease large bowl with cooking spray. Coat each of two 9-inch cake pans with 3 tablespoons of oil.

2. Mix milk, sugar, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil in measuring cup. Mix flour, yeast, and salt in standing mixer fitted with dough hook. Turn machine to low and slowly add milk mixture, After dough comes together, increase speed to medium-low and mix until dough is shiny and smooth, about 5 minutes. Turn dough onto lightly floured counter, gently shape into ball, and place in greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and place in warm oven until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.

3. To shape and top the dough: Transfer dough to tightly floured counter, divide in half, and tightly roll each half into ball- Working with 1 dough ball at a time, roll and shape dough into 9 1/z-inch round and press into oiled pan. Cover with plastic wrap and set in warm spot (not in oven) until puffy and slightly risen, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, heat oven to 400 degrees.

4. While dough rises, put half of pepperoni in single layer on microwave-safe plate lined with 2 paper towels. Cover with 2 more paper towels and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Discard towels and set pepperoni aside; repeat with new paper towels and
remaining pepperoni.

5. Remove plastic wrap from dough. Ladle 2/3 cup sauce on each round, leaving 1/2-inch border around edges. Sprinkle each with 'l 1/2 cups cheese and top with pepperoni. Bake until cheese is melted and pepperoni is browning around edges, about 20 minutes.

Remove from oven & serve.

Chocolate Raspberry Brownie Cake

The secret ingredient in this wonderful cake is - black beans. That's Right!


4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
2 cups soft-cooked black beans, rinsed and drained well
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1 TBL vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups light agave nectar
1/3 – 1/2 cup raspberry preserves
fresh raspberries (for decoration)
whipped cream

Directions:

- Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line two 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly oil with canola oil spray.
- Melt the chocolate and butter in a glass bowl in the microwave for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes on high. Stir with a spoon to melt the chocolate completely.
- Place the beans, the walnuts, the vanilla extract, and a couple of spoonfuls of the melted chocolate mixture into the bowl of a food processor. Blend about 2 minutes, or until smooth. The batter should be thick and the beans completely smooth. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together the remaining melted chocolate mixture and salt. Mix well and set aside.
- In a separate bowl, with an electric mixer beat the eggs until light and creamy, about 1 minute. Add the agave nectar and beat well. Set aside.
- Add the bean/chocolate mixture to the rest of the melted chocolate mixture. Stir until blended well.
- Add the egg mixture. Mix well. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the brownies are set. Let cool in the pan completely. Place baked brownies in the refrigerator to firm up for a few hours.
- Invert the pans over a cooling rack or a large plate. Tap the pan, if necessary, to remove the brownies.
- Place one layer on a serving plate or cake board. Spread with a thin layer of rasberry preserves. Lay the second layer on top of the preserves. Top with whipped cream and fresh berries, if so desired.
- Decorated cake can be stored in the refrigerator, but the cake can be brought up to room temperature before serving.

Note: Leftovers keep well in a refrigerated airtight container for a few days.




**recipe submitted by Gerriann Reko**

Play Date 3-23-2010

Where: Blythe Park in Bothell
16950 W Riverside Dr
Bothell, WA

Time: 10am

Bring: sack lunch if you'd like

Lets let the kiddos play & have some fellowship. See you there.

Tuesday March 2nd - Birthday Celebrations

Last MOPS we had a giant Birthday party complete with a few gifts & cake. It was so much fun. Attached are pictures of each cake, type of cake & who made it.

And Jennifer read a devotional on our spiritual birthdays and their importance in our lives. It was a fun day and we all left a bit on a sugar high.

Cake #1 Pumpkin Praline -by Gina Detlor

Cake #2 Carrot Cake - by Deanna Calvert


Cake #3 Chocolate Chocolate - by Sabrina Bertrand


Cake #4 Lemon Delight - by Sabrina Bertrand

Cake #5 Angel Food cake with Strawberries - by Deanna Calvert


Cake #6 Strawberry Surprise - by Gina Detlor

French Toast Strata

Ingredients:

1 loaf french bread
8 oz. cream cheese
cinnamon
nutmeg
8 eggs
4 cups half and half
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 TBS melted butter


1. Grease 9 x 13 dish
2. Cube entire loaf of French bread
3. Lay 1/2 the loaf across the bottom of the greased dish.
4. Crumble 8 oz. of cream cheese over the bread in dish.
5. Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on it.
6. Lay other 1/2 of cubed loaf on top of cream cheese layer.
7. Beat 8 eggs. Add 4 cups half and half to eggs, add 1/4 cup maple syrup and 2 TBS of melted butter.

Pour mixture over top the bread dish now that is bread on bottom, cream cheese in middle and bread on top.
Let it sit OVERNIGHT in refrigerator.
Bake 350 for 30- 40 minutes until bread is toasty.

**Submitted by Heather Blue**

Chocolate-Hazelnut Breakfast Ring

Chocolate-Hazelnut Breakfast Ring

Prep time: 20 minutes
Start to finish: 55 minutes
8 servings

1 can (13.8 oz) refrigerated pizza crust (Pillsbury)
2/3 c. Nutella, stirred to soften
1/2 c. whole hazelnuts, finely chopped in food processor
1 egg, beaten
1/2 t. granulated sugar
1 t. powdered sugar

Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. (I didn't have parchment, so I just greased the sheet with Pam, which worked fine.)
On lightly floured work surface, unroll dough; press into 13x10 inch rectangle. Gently spread Nutella to within 1/2 inch of edges.
Sprinkle all over with hazelnuts. Fold long sides of dough over filling to meet in center. Starting with 1 long side, loosely roll up dough. Shape into a ring on cookie sheet; pinch ends together to seal. Cut 5 slits in top of dough.
Brush with beaten egg; sprinkle with granulated sugar.
Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden.
Remove from cookie sheet and place on serving platter.
Cool 10 minutes.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve.


**Submitted by Elizabeth Stall**

Meatballs

Ok ladies here is my best shot at getting you recipes for my meatballs. Please keep in mind that I DO NOT have an actual recipe. I am guesstimating on these recipes. When I make these meatballs it is all from memory...I have been making these meatballs since I was 14. That is 21 years to perfect it to my taste! While the meatballs taste similar they are never the same twice. I am giving you a recipe of the basics I use almost every time...but I switch it up A LOT and OFTEN! Sometimes I use different kinds of sugars, Worcester sauce, Tabasco, Lemon juice, I have even been know to add mustard. So while this recipe will yield a yummy sauce....it may not be "MY" sauce or what I made you last time. I usually make beef or chicken meatballs to go with these sauces, or sometimes I get help from the store and but pre-made meatballs. Just be sure they are PLAIN meatballs not ones with Italian seasoning. Good luck and remember to try all kinds of stuff.....it is really hard to mess these up. Love ya all.

ZESTY MEATBALLS

9 ounces grape jelly
(12 fluid ounce) can or bottle Chile sauce
2 teaspoons lemon juice


In a slow cooker combine chili sauce, lemon juice and grape jelly. Stir in meatballs and cook on high for 4 to 5 hours.


**Submitted by Tasha Banks**

Slashing your grocery budget 2-16-2010

On Tuesday Sabrina taught us how to read the adds that come in your mailbox every week. And how to shop where you slash your grocery budget. It was so good to hear her ideas & suggestions. I've included her top points:

• Don't be afraid to shop the ads & clip coupons out of the paper
  
• Don't be afraid to go to multiple stores
  
• Shop discount stores:
  -Winco
  -Grocery Outlet
  -Costco
  -Dollar Store
  
• Take advantage of the special store cards - they do work!
  
• Learn to buy generic = less expensive for same product minus the brand name.
  
• Don't be afraid to ask a store employee if you don't understand the coupons
  
• Don't be afraid to double dip on coupons = Using a manufactures coupon and a store coupon
  
• Learn to compare prices!
  
• Don't be afraid to buy discount or marked down meat. It will be fine if cooked that day or frozen that day.
  
• If the store is out of coupon item, get a rain check.
  
• Make a list and stick to it!!

She also had two other suggestions. Plan a weekly menu and plan your meals according to the ads.

White Chocolate Raspberry Muffins

This is an easy recipe b/c you just add to a box mix. These were at the last meeting and they were Delicious!!

You will need:

1 box of Raspberry muffin mix (Krusteaz)
1 cup of white choc chips
1 teasp vanilla


Bake according to the box.



**Submitted by Tasha Banks**

Baked French Toast

Baked French Toast (serves 6 to 8)


1 pound loaf of French bread cut into generous 1” slices (dry bread is best)
6 eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup half & half
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon



Syrup:

3/4 cup butter
1 1/3 cup brown sugar
3 Tablespoons corn syrup


Thoroughly grease a 9x15 baking dish. Beat ingredients together. Dip bread slices in the mixture and lay them flat in the pan. Pour remainder of the mixture over the top of the bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Next morning make the syrup (heat the ingredients till bubbling). Pour it over the bread. Bake uncovered about 35 minutes at 350 degrees.



**Submitted by Margy Grenell**

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

These muffins were at one of the last meetings and I fell in love with them. I tracked down the baker and made them today. They are sooo yummy. Enjoy!








preheat oven to 400
grease muffin man - (I was able to make 15 muffins with my mixture.)

Mix:
1 3/4 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder together

In another bowl:
1 egg beaten
add 1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup cooking oil
add two mashed bananas

add to dry mixture and stir.. then add 1- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips and stir together

and pour into muffin pan..
bake 400 for 20 minutes.



**submitted by Heather Blue**

Restoring Love & Passion back into your marriage

This week we had a great guest speaker, Jen Lovelady. She is a wife, mother, friend & business owner. She is the author of her own blog with some great stories, ideas, funny videos etc. http://jenlovelady.com/ . As the busy mom of 4 children ages 3.5 - 13yrs old she knows what it's like trying to maintain that relationship with your husband when life is so busy with your house, kids, and business/job.

She spoke on Restoring Love & Passion back into our marriages. Below you will find an overview of what she spoke on.

In your marriage you have to set boundaries. Four things can become intrusive to a marriage and sometimes require boundaries.

1. Work or business - especially if you work at home
2. Friendships
3. Perfect house - it's okay to not have a perfect house
4. Hobbies - sometimes these can get in the way

You make it a high priority to be committed to make your marriage work.

This is a sentence that she told us to post up somewhere and remind ourselves of daily, weekly, and monthly. It will help us to maintain a healthy marriage.

Is your husband a Top priority in your home/relationship?

When he comes home he wants to see his wife not his mom.

Control your thoughts about your husband - you are committed to him and there is no exit strategy. Do not compare him to other husbands.

You have to be intentional & consistent!

8 Loves she has when it comes to her children & then 8 ways to apply these loves to your husband.

1. Loves to hear her children say "Please" and "Thank You" - especially in public

A. Do you tell your husband Thank You or please? Do you do it in public or in front of your children?

2. Loves planning birthdays or events for her children.

A. Do you plan special events/birthdays for your husband?

3. Loves making her kids favorite meals.

A. Do you make your husbands favorite meal or have his favorite snack always on hand?

4. Loves special moments with her kids

A. Do you share those special moments with your husband? Do you have special moments with him?

5. Loves watching her kids play sports or be successful, cheering them on.

A. Are you your husbands biggest fan? Do you encourage him?

6. Loves complementing her children

A. Do you compliment your husband? Do you do it in front of others or your children? Men need to hear this from their wives.

7. Loves when her children tell them about their day

A. Do you listen enthusiastically to your husband as he recalls his day?

8. Loves to give her kids love notes.

A. Do you give leave your husband love notes/texts/cards? Do you show him expressions of love?

As a mom our Adoration that we once had for our husbands can be shifted to our children and often times our husbands get put on the back burner. Our first priority should be our husband and then our children. He needs to know that he is a priority & just as important as the children and not second rate.

She then challenged us before Valentines day to do the following:

1. Plan a date night/afternoon/breakfast/coffee date with our husbands. We need to start dating our husbands again. Get back to when we first started dating. And not talk about the children on our date!

2. Compliment your husband at least 1x every day

Back in the groove

This blog has been on a bit of hiatus for a few months due to the holiday season.
But no worries, we are back up & running.