Fall Semester Update

Well, we've have 3 meetings so far and I've loved every one. It's a small group so far but the discussions we've had have been great. I so appreciate all of the moms who have been supportive and encouraging as I've gone through the illness and death of my father.

A summary of the meetings:

Week 1: Introduction. We talked about what MOPS is and what we wanted to get out of this year. We make scrapbooking pages -- which is fabulous because I never have time at home!

Week 2: Gigi and Mike Kan on finances. Fantastic information on how to manage our money. Including emphasizing how important it is to be in discussion about $ with our spouses -- and that it's okay if there are disagreements.

Week 3: The importance of self-care. Some really good suggestions on how to be intentional with our days.

So... if you haven't made it to any meetings yet, that's okay! You're welcome to join anytime (contact us at mops@bethanymops.org).

Fall Semester 2009

Registration is now open for Fall Semester 2009!

We have a great lineup of speakers planned with lots of fun and great activities.

Please email us for registration information (mops@bethanymops.org).

Cinnamon Rolls

Here's Pastor Phil's Cinnamon Roll recipe (they're delicious!).

1 cup water

1 cup milk

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

Heat in microwave to very hot, but not boiling.

Add:

2 cups flour

3 packets rapid rise yeast

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp salt

Mix well.   Add:

1 egg

Stir again.  Slowly add up to 3 1/2 cups more flour, until dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl.

Kneed 3-4 minutes

Let sit 20 minutes

Roll out dough and spread with 1/2 cup butter, sugar, and cinnamon (don't skimp on the cinnamon). 

Optional additions: raisins and nuts

Roll up, then slice into 1 1/2" slices.  Place on baking pan, side by side.  Let rise about 30 minutes.

Bake at 350 deg. F till lightly golden grown and bounce bck in the middle.

Let stand 10 minutes.

Frosting:

2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 c butter

pinch salt

1 tsp vanilla

enough milk to form a thin frosting.

Drizzle over cinnamon rolls.

Operation Organization

Lisa Hall gave us so many great practical ideas for organizing our homes / lives.  Here are a few:

• Color code your kids
• Put in one load of laundry every morning when you get up
• Use a whiteboard to list family's daily activities
• Tichler file: folder for each month + one for each day of one month (1-31).  Put invitations, schedules, school reminders, etc in the appropriate day or month.
• Photos: have an extras box for each child full of their photos that you will not be using.  They can use these for school projects, etc.
• Cat in the Hat: quick cleanup, getting everything back in order
• Family project Saturdays
• The "Power of Now"
• Be intentional

There were many others of course -- these were just some that stuck with me.  Share your favorite organizational tips!

Adventures in... the kitchen!

Here are some of the ideas we shared at our January 15, 2009 meeting:

Adventures in.... the kitchen!

• Cut paper towels (or waxed paper or parchment paper) to fit in the bottom of a cake pan.  Makes getting cake out of the pan easy!
• A pinch of baking soda restores milk
• Eggs save better in their carton than in the eggs holder in your fridge.
• To test if an egg is good: Put it in a cup of water.  If it sinks to the bottom, it's good.  If it floats, it's too old.
• Soak burnt pans overnight with a dryer sheet to make it easier to clean.
• Measure shortening, butter, etc. in water.  For example, to measure 1/2 cup of butter, fill a measuring cup with 1/2 c water, then add enough butter so that the water line is at 1 cup.
• Run your knife under hot water before cutting butter and your ice cream scoop before scooping.
• Mayonnaise substitution: sour cream or cottage cheese (especially good when making tuna).
• Egg replacement: 2T milk and 1/2 tsp baking powder
• Need buttermilk?  Try adding some vinegar or lemon juice to regular milk.

Share more ideas!

Bethany MOPS

This is a blog for the moms at Bethany Church MOPS!