Sisters

Hey ladies! I'm down two (big) kids tomorrow after 430p and really want to see the new Tina Fey and Amy Poehler movie, Sisters. Anyone else want to join me? Text me, 804-9022.

5:30 Wynnsong (cedar bluff)
7:30 Pinnacle (turkey creek)
7:50 Riviera (downtown)

Whistle While We Craft!

Come on out Thursday for a little laughter, a little snacker, and a little crafter.  Oh, ok, I'll cut out the silliness. Lack of sleep + my child's Boo at the Zoo candy stash = punchy. Is that the right word? Zombie.  That is definitely the right word.

Here's the details...

Thursday, Oct 22nd at 9:30am
Craft
Bring any food or beverage to share- store bought, pinterest attempt, drive-thru
(Or if you are running late and can't even brush your teeth, come anyway and cover up that morning breath with some of our Keurig coffee.)

If you can, bring your fall dues ($30 or $35 if you use childcare)

If you feel inclined, bring some items for Operation Christmas Child.
See link for details:
operation-christmas-child: what-goes in box-suggestions

And since we are talking about candy...this time of year brings a great opportunity to go through your child's massive halloween candy stash at night and take out items for Operation Christmas Child.  Seriously, no kid needs or wants millions of Smarties, Dum Dums or Sweet Tarts. Your child will not notice if you "donate" some of these while he/she slumbers.  Remember, no chocolate for OCC boxes...you can enjoy those or leave those for your kiddo.


Last, but certainly not least... a big CONGRATS goes out to JB and the birth of her son! One less pregnant belly in our group and one more sweet snuggly newborn to join us for meetings and steal our hearts. ;)

Friday Night Fall Kickoff and Chili Cookoff 2nd Attempt

Anyone else need to get a jumpstart on Fall? Got a yummy chili recipe?

Join us on Friday night (10/9 at 6p) for food, fellowship, fun and Fall!

Bring a (crock)pot of your best chili or a fixing to go with it to share. (Extras include: crackers, corn chips/bread, shredded/sour cream, olives/chives)

I'll have s'mores and bowls/plates/napkins/cups/utensils and some basic beverages.

The firepit will be lit and the grill will be available. Might show a movie on the big screen if there's enough interest.

Bonus: there's still plenty of yardage to pitch a tent if you feel so inclined to stay the night soaking up these cool nights (while still having access to modern conveniences - toilets) - please feel free to come earlier if setting up a tent.

This is a whole-family event! BYOB.

Email cricket754@gmail.com for address

Friday Night Fall Kickoff and Chili Cookoff

Anyone else need to get a jumpstart on Fall? Got a yummy chili recipe?

Join us on Friday night for food, fellowship, fun and Fall!

Bring a (crock)pot of your best chili or a fixing to go with it to share.

I'll have s'mores and bowls/plates/napkins/cups/utensils and some basic beverages.

The pool is still open. The trampoline still bouncing. The bon fire will be lit and the grill will be available. Might even show a movie on the projector if there's enough interest.

Bonus: there's still plenty of yardage to pitch a tent if you feel so inclined to stay the night soaking up these cool nights (while still having access to modern conveniences - toilets) - please feel free to come earlier if setting up a tent.

This is a whole-family event! BYOB.
Message Ceri for address, if needed.

Greek food, shopping, and dancing- Oh My OPA!

It was so wonderful to see many of you at the MOPS meeting Thursday (and we missed those of you who weren't there), and even my stoic husband was quite impressed when I showed off our craft product! What a fantastic, eclectic group we have with such a positive energy and open arms to share what is really going on...and open arms to any new mamas who want to join us!

Anywho- let's get to something else fun and delicious...

36th ANNUAL GREEK FEST! OPA!

If you haven't been before, it is definitely worth a visit.  And yes, the festival is still moving on as usual despite the church's fire earlier this year.  (Maybe the festival profits will help complete the repairs?)
My clan and I will be there at some point, and I know that some of you other MOPS will be there Friday. The festival is happening Friday, Saturday, and Sunday if you want to attend. OPA!

Here is the link with all the info: https://greekfesttn.wordpress.com/

(This is obviously not a MOPS sponsored event, but it is just fun and I wanted to pass on the info in case anyone is interested.  There is also a wee little football game happening Saturday at 3:30pm in case you would rather watch that.)

Also, mark your calendar for our next MOPS meetings: Thursday, October 8th at 9:30am.  We will have a professional organizer coming to be our speaker.  Yes, please!

Get Your Craft On!

Happy Fall, Y'all!

Come celebrate the official beginning of Fall and join us for MOPS on Thursday!  Julie will be leading us in some sort of pinterersty craft which is sure to be a crowd pleaser.  We'll also get to know each other over coffee and food.

Hope to see you Thursday!

details:
WHO: YOU...and your kiddos...and always feel free to bring friends and food to share
WHAT: MOPS
WHERE: Erin Presbyterian Church, 200 Lockett Rd, right around the corner from Bearden Public Lib
WHEN: 9:30am
HOW: Come, drop kids in childcare (if you wish), eat, relax, laugh, craft
WHY: Because the crafts are good, the coffee is hot, and we all need a deep breath and time away from the house chores that never are done anyway.




** Just a reminder, if you are like me and still need to pay your dues for the semester ($30/$35 if using childcare), Thursday would be a great time to do so.

MOPS Thursday, Sept 10 at 9:30am!

Hello!

It was great to see new, bright faces at our Open House in August and reconnect after summer break!

Now it's time for our first meeting of the year :

This Thursday, Sept 10th 

9:30am

Erin Presbyterian Church 

(200 Lockett Rd)

Speaker: Reverend Stuart

Even if you couldn't make it to our Open House, join us on Thursday! We'll welcome you and your kiddos with open arms and fill you in on who we are and what we do...which involves laughter, coffee, food, and fun.

REMINDER: Open House Thursday, Aug 27th at 10am!

Hey Hey Hey!

Just a friendly reminder about our MOPS Open House this Thursday at 10am.  It will be nice to catch up with everyone AND hopefully meet some new faces.  Invite friends, neighbors, friends-of-friends, anyone!

If you are finding this blog and have never been to our MOPS or any MOPS, please come and join us!
We are a warm, eclectic, down-to-earth group of ladies, and new faces are always welcome.  Come to Open House and hear about who we are, what we do, and get the scoop on some of our speakers this year...professional organizer, counselor, mom panel, etc. (FYI Childcare, craft, and coffee are provided. If you choose to do so, you are welcome to keep your kid/kids with you during the meeting.) Oh, we meet at Erin Presbyterian Church, 200 Lockett Rd- off of Deane Hill Drive and right around the corner from Bearden Public Library. Park near the playground and come on in!

Questions, comments, or public service announcements- email KnoxMOPS@gmail.com
Also, feel free to drop a quick note to tell us you're coming so we can be looking out for you.    :)

KMA Kids Day- Free Tomorrow

TGIF, right?!

Knoxville Museum of Art (KMA) is hosting a FREE "Back to School" event tomorrow, August 22nd from 11am- 3pm. There will be face painting, art-making stations, school-related activities, music, and gallery tours.

And if the weather was as beautiful as it was today, you can also head over to nearby Fort Kid to let the littles climb and play.  Or, take a stroll to World's Fair Park to get wet in the splash pad and play on the playground. Or, take an elevator ride up to the Sun-sphere's 4th floor observation deck to get a bird's eye view of the wonderful K-Town.

We'll be there with the munchkins, so holler if you see us!

Here is what KMA looks like in case you've never been:

MOPS Open House! Thursday, Aug 27th at 10am!

Open House, Open Hearts, Open Invitation!

Come one, come all (ok, enough repetition already!)!

Our Erin Presbyterian MOPS is holding an Open House on Thursday, August 27th at 10am.  Anyone is welcome to come see what we are all about and enjoy some yummy sweet and savory treats.  (Food is definitely one thing that we are all about.)  We will be introducing new moms to what MOPS is, giving a tour of our childcare rooms, and doing a little craft.

SO, if you've been a part of this group, great- bring something yummy to share and introduce yourself to some new faces.

If you are just finding this blog or our group for the first time, GREAT- just bring yourself (and your kiddos), enjoy something yummy and meet some new faces.

Hope to see you soon!!!

WHO: YOU!
WHAT: MOPS Open House
WHEN: Thursday, August 27th at 10am
WHERE: Erin Presbyterian Church (200 Lockett Rd- right around the corner from the Bearden Public Library) Oh, and park near the playground and enter the double doors there.  You can't miss us.
WHY: This motherhood stuff is hard and is peppered with tears and triumphs. Let's get together and share our tricks of the trade, encouragement, and laughs.  Oh, and we always have fresh coffee and a smorgasbord of snacks.


***MOPS in an international organization and not associated with any one denomination or church.  All are welcome.

P.S. Congratulations to JY who welcomed her new little baby girl a couple days ago! We can't wait to meet her and hear all about her arrival!

Potluck Party! Come Join Us!

Stir together your favorite recipe (or pick up something at the grocery) and join us tomorrow for a pot luck dinner and Mom's Night Out while we catch up about summer AND celebrate Ceri and Jodi who will be welcoming little ones this fall.

What is better than the combination of pregnant women and a potluck dinner?! And even if you have never been to our group before (or want to invite a friend), come join us! We are a very laid-back, friendly group...especially if you come bearing some yummy dish or wine. (WINE!!! Might be better than chocolate! But why choose, let's indulge in both!)

On a sad note, we will be saying good-bye to Alicia during this dinner.  She and her family are relocating to NY where her husband has a new job (Congrats, Ben!) and they will be near family (free babysitters are ...well, priceLESS.) Even though we are so happy for these new doors that have opened for them, we will miss them dearly.  So, come help us send her off with love and best wishes.

Oh, important:

Messiah Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall (right off the side parking lot)
7pm ish
Bring something to share, or a couple things!

Costume Party TOMORROW!!!

My little guys and I will be here tomorrow, so come join us if you'd like! You did not have to do summer reading to come join the festivities.  Depending on how my kiddos are holding up, I might stay to check out books/DVDs and have a picnic lunch at Erin Presbyterian afterwards.

(Sorry for the terribly late notice, again.  We just picked up this flier about it when dropping off books and DVD...that were due yesterday.)

http://www.knoxlib.org/calendar-programs

Play Date!

Join us on Tuesday, July 28 at 10 am for a play date at the Children's Museum of Oak Ridge!

Admission is $8 per adult and $6 per kid. Children under 2 are free. If ten people come, admission will only be $5 per person, so invite your mom friends! Hope to see you there!

http://childrensmuseumofoakridge.org

Firetruck: Free Kid Activity TOMORROW

Yes, this is late notice...that is just kind of how my life goes these days.

If you are interested, tomorrow (July 23rd) Bearden Public Library is having a Knox Fire Department Day.  Firefighters will be discussing their duties, showing off their gear, and letting kids climb on the big firetruck.  I'm sure there will be fire safety tips too and probably some hats and badges given to kiddos attending. 10am  (I'd like to get there a few minutes early but not sure if that will happen with Little Mister's morning nap.)

The boys and I will be there then probably be checking out/returning books before having a picnic lunch of pb/j.  (Lunch outside = no crumbs to clean up in my house.)

Hope to see you there!  If not, hope to see you soon!

Also, mark your calendars for our MOPS Open House: Thursday, August 27th at Erin Presbyterian at 10am. Invite friends! The more, the merrier!

Flowers and Chaos

I have a lovely friend who gave me flowers a few days back. The one has opened up nicely and I wanted to show it to her. So I tried to snap a picture or two. It didn't have to be perfect, not even Pinterest worthy. But try as I might, I could not seem to get a good shot. "Well!" I thought to myself. "This won't do at all! I can't send her a single one of these."

The flowers are beautiful and they are in my kitchen where I get to enjoy them daily. The thing is, the background of the pictures is, well, my kitchen. Where my family eats and works and lives. And you can see all the "stuff" in the background of these pictures-the chaos of living our lives. I was trying to figure out if I should put them through an Instagram filter or try to photoshop them when it occurred to me (via a still, small voice) that I was being silly and even worse, superficial.

My friend would be so glad to know that I was enjoying the beautiful flowers she gave me. She would care not at all about the stuff in the background. She's been in my home-she knows its not worthy of a Better Homes and Gardens spread. She knows my life-I have kids and a husband and we are not a perfect family. We are real people who live in a real house in a real way. My dear friend knows that and loves me in spite of because of my imperfections. I am ashamed that I did not give her credit to see my life how it is on a Monday morning.

So why am I posting this on the blog? What does it have to do with you or MOPS? Everything, actually. We have such a wonderful, unique group of women in our MOPS group. We all have different backgrounds and different lives. But not a single one of us has a fairy godmother sweeping through to make our lives perfect. We have all stayed up with sick kids, sick husbands or just from worry and been weary for days, weeks or years on end. If we are willing to be real, we  can all benefit from the support and community of this group.

Join me on Thursday, August 27 at 10:00 am, which is our Open House. We will be learning about our theme "A Fierce Flourishing." We will have snacks and do a craft. I will work on being more real, more transparent. And you, please continue to be the real you. The real you is very much worth the time and energy of getting to know!

Are you wondering about those pictures? Here they are-with my plastic bag holder, recycling bin, receipts to be shredded, piles of towels, fridge full of drawings and banged up walls-the chaos of my life :)

Consignment Sale! Saturday!

Toys! Baby/kid/maternity clothing! Shoes! Room decor! SO much stuff still in original packages! You don't want to miss it!

Also, everything HALF PRICE (!!!!)  starting at noon!

Usborne Children's Book Party

Ladies,
For anyone interested, I'm hosting an Usborne Children's Book Party on Monday, July 13th at 6pm. I'll provide yummy snacks and adult conversation. If you've never been exposed to Usborne books, please come check it out. I look forward to seeing you.

Ceri
1009 sky blue drive
804-9022

Summer, summer, summer time

Hi all! I hope you enjoyed your Fourth of July and celebrating the freedoms and blessings we have in this great nation. One thing that we are incredibly blessed with in this country is access to fresh produce, especially in the summer. If you haven't been to any of the Farmers' Markets in the area, here are a couple to try out:

Market Square Farmers' Market-located downtown in Market Square. They run from May until mid/late November on Wednesdays from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm and on Saturdays from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm. There are several great restaurants and stores on Market Square and downtown as well.
http://marketsquarefarmersmarket.org/

UT Farmers' Market-located at the UT Gardens (2518 Jacob Drive, off of Neyland Drive). This one runs from mid May until mid October on Wednesdays from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm. If you haven't been to UT Gardens, definitely swing by. There is no charge to get into the gardens and they are open all year long.
http://environment.utk.edu/event/ut-farmers-market-13/

Lakeshore Park Market-located in Lakeshore Park across from the Knox Youth Sports Building (and the baseball fields). Running from mid April until late November on Fridays 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. If you arrive shortly before 3:00 pm, you can usually find a good parking spot at the lot across the street.
http://www.easttnfarmmarkets.org/lakeshore-park-market.asp

Ebenezer Road Market-located at Ebenezer United Methodist Church on Ebenezer Road. This market also runs from mid April until late November and is open on Tuesdays from 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm.
http://www.easttnfarmmarkets.org/ebenezer-road-market.asp

Don't forget Art Open House is this Thursday, July 9 from 9:00 am to 11:30 am. As always, it is a drop in, come as you are event that is free. It is in the fellowship hall at Messiah Lutheran Church, 6900 Kingston Pike (across from PF Changs)

Am I Enough?

Some Father's Day Eve encouragement:

This week my husband walks in the door after a long day at work to find: dishes piled in the sink, laundry all over the living room, the beef for dinner still in a frozen block, and me…looking like Frump Queen. He is gracious. And tells me to take a nap. I instantly obey. (Inwardly rejoicing.) And while I am sleeping for 45 minutes, he manages to clean the whole house…while watching our child. (A feat I clearly was incapable of accomplishing today. Many days.)

One part of my feels grateful the house is clean. I can relax now, right? But the other (bigger) part of me feels guilty and defeated. He just worked the whole day at his job, and then came home and did mine, too. Isn’t this why I am staying home? 

Every day I have this desire to accomplish something. But every day it feels I accomplishnothing. I try to clean something, but I don’t finish. I want to do a house project, make my space more beautiful, but all those gorgeous pics on Pinterest look like something from another world. Not mine. I leave to buy something, but roam aimlessly around in the store. Nothing to bring home. I try to write, but this little person cries for all of my attention when I sit at the computer. I clip coupons and price match, and still go way over on our budget. Agh. At the end of the day, there’s nothing to show for the last 9 hours of exhausting effort. Of doing what? 

When it feels I didn’t accomplish Super Tidy Housewife, or Spiritual Sage, or Fun Mommy, or Adoring Wife, or Betty Crocker, or the Likeable Friend…when I’m none of those titles, and all the opposites..

I have to wonder: “Am I enough?”

I lay my head on the kitchen table, cheek against wood, and cry. I want my days to be ofworth. But feel like they are all so: Unsuccessful.

As I lay, frozen, I hear a whisper, my daughter’s whisper:

Dear Momma,

Do you remember the nights you cried on the bathroom floor in the dark? When the pregnancy tests sat negative in the trash can? Remember when my nursery was just a storage room? A place for you and Daddy to throw your junk? Remember how you longed to brush my hair with your fingers, to sing me lullabies, to hold me close? And now I’m here. 

Am I enough?

When there’s dishes in the sink, and your  jeans sag from all the bending, and dinner’s ingredients still sit on the shelves of the supermarket, because your days are full, full of me. Am I worth your attention? Am I an accomplishment?

Am I enough?

You kept me safe today Momma, you kept me alive. You kept me fed, and rested. You played with me, and made me laugh. Does that count Momma? Am I one of your goals Momma? Just to be together? Even if no one sees it? Or knows it?

Am I enough?

Tell me Momma, did you think I’d be different? Did you hope I’d be different? Do you see me? I’m right here Momma, the answer to your sobbing prayers. But now that I’m here, is there something else you want Momma, to feel good? Do I make your day count Momma?

Am I enough?

And suddenly, the voice changes. My heart wrenches. The Spirit of God begins to whisper, making the table under my wet cheek feel more like the chest of God. And suddenly I know He’s near.

Do you remember when I said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me?” (Matt. 25:40) “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward?” (Matt. 10:42) Do you not see it here Child? 

All these days you live at home to serve this fragile girl, what you really are doing is serving Me. For whatever you do unto her, you do unto Me. So let me ask you:

Am I enough?

What is My worth to you? In the secret places, where no one sees? Look deeper Dear One.

Can you find Me in this place? In her face?

Every diaper, every clean, dry pair of clothes, cups of water, Cheerios, all the laughter, every tear, each soothing whisper in her ear.

In doing so, you so clothe Me, feed Me, hear My cry, soothe Me with your lullaby.

If all you do is spend your days, your self, on Me...

Am I enough?

http://barrentobeautiful.com/2014/05/23/am-i-enough/

And for a something a little more light hearted...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPPx3MHeHys

The tissue wreath part made me laugh out loud!

MNO and Upcoming Events You Don't Want to Miss!

Hey Everybody! Hope you are enjoying your first days of summer! Here are all sorts of summer happenings you might be interested in attending...

First, for those animal lovers and zoo visitors, did you know that Hope Gorilla at Knox Zoo had her baby gorilla this morning? Check out the cuteness!!!  Remember when our babies were newborns and cute and slept most of the day? sigh.

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/local-news/baby-gorilla-born-at-knoxville-zoo_63517795

Friday, May 29th TOMORROW from 11am-8pm

Knoxville's Largest Kids' Party, and ALL are invited- for $5 per person (ages 3 and under are free). BUT lots of excitement for the kiddos: giant obstacle course, food, face painting, trampolines, etc. See above flier for details, or http://www.star1021fm.com/events/Knoxvilles-Largest-Kids-Party-303610771.html

Saturday, May 30-June 1st 11am-6pm

Used Book Sale at Bearden Public Library

http://www.knoxfriends.org/book-sales/annual-used-book-sale/

You can also sign up for Summer Reading/Listening Club for your kids or yourself here: 

http://www.knoxlib.org/calendar-programs/programs-and-partnerships/summer-library-club

MOST IMPORTANTLY: MOM's NIGHT OUT!!!

THIS SATURDAY, May 30th at 7:30pm at Tomato Head in Bearden!!! 

Let us know if you need a ride ...or we can give you a ride home if you have too much wine while venting. ;) http://thetomatohead.com/  Hope you can come!!!

June 1st-4th 9am-noon

Vacation Bible School at Erin Presbyterian (partnered with Messiah Lutheran). Flier and registration form can be found on the right side of church website. http://www.erinpresbyterian.org/

Just email Joy if you want to attend and you can fill out the registration form the first morning of VBS.

JBornhoeft@knology.net

June 5th Free Donut Day at Krispy Kreme (no pirate costume necessary, but I'm sure you good tell them to "walk the plank" if you wanted.)  ANY Donut of your choice. And in case you need visual...

In case you want to see a full menu and pick your donut out right now...https://www.krispykreme.com/Menu/Doughnuts.aspx

MOPS End-of-Year Meeting THURSDAY

Hey All!

Well, this year has been real; it's been fun.
Now let's get together for some End of Year YUM!

Brunch will be catered from Honey Baked Ham for our last official meeting of the year, this Thursday, May 14th at 9:30am.  HOWEVER, please drop Jannette a short email ASAP to let her know if you are coming.
jcsmith7697@gmail.com

In addition to eating, laughing, and discussing summer sanity ideas, we'll be doing a craft and a few other activies.  HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! (so, email Jannette NOW)

HAGS! (Don't pretend you didn't use that really lame acronym in yearbooks!)

Mini MNO (and free frosted lemonade!)

Have you had a frosted lemonade from Chik Fil A? It is really good-ice cream and lemonade combined for cool, lemony yumminess! And you can get one for free! Saturday, May 9, local Chik Fil A restaurants will be offering them to moms for free from 10:30 am until 10:00 pm. I will be at the West Town DTO at 8:00 pm. It is, in fact, after my kids are in bed because I do not want to share! I would love to see all those MOPS mamas there. Even if you can't make it at that time, definitely swing through that day and get your free frosted lemonade.

I would like to have a steering meeting to start preparing for 2015-2016 before everyone scatters to the wind and on vacation. So if you come out on Saturday, we will discuss steering stuff as well. This is in no way a commitment of any type. More just to get a general idea of what you mamas are thinking and wanting for next year. And if you are willing to commit, that would be wonderful! And super helpful :) If you are interested in being on the steering committee but can't make it, please email Dawn at knoxmops@gmail.com. Also drop me a line if you have some ideas for next year.

Hope to see you on Saturday, May 9 at 8:00 pm at the West Town DTO Chik Fil A (that is the Chik Fil A on Kingston Pike that does not have an eat in restaurant, just two drive thrus and a covered porch area. It is between an auto parts store and a pet supply place)!

Body Beauty, Naturally

As wives, moms, home managers and the million other titles we have, we don't always have the time or budget to treat ourselves or our bodies the way we should. But our mindset and attitude affects our entire household. "When Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!" Thus, we must take time for ourselves to rest and reboot, even just for a few minutes.

Our theme for 2015-2016 is A Fierce Flourishing and includes Celebrating Lavishly, Embracing Rest and Noticing Goodness. Refresh your body by making a flavored water using strawberries and mint. Turn your bathroom into a mini-spa by lighting a few candles (those special smelly ones you've been saving), put some jazz on low and rest and relax by using one of the scrubs to smooth out some of those rough spots. Or if you are short on time, use the foot spray for a quick pick me and slather on a light lotion. You are worth the time and your family will benefit from a rested and relaxed mama!

All Over Scrub

½ Cup Sugar

¼ Cup Olive Oil (Or sweet almond oil or jojoba oil or coconut oil or grapeseed oil or avocado oil)

1 Tablespoon Lime Juice (You can use lime juice or lemon juice or essential oils if you have them) 

Mix sugar, oil and lime juice together. Let set about 15 minutes and check texture/consistency. Add more oil or more sugar as you desire. (We made something like this at MOPS and used ½ C sugar to ½ Cup oil.) 

In the winter, I use brown sugar, extra virgin olive oil, a bit of honey and vanilla. You can add in a little Vitamin E if you choose. Customize this to what you like!

Put in a clean container with a tight lid and store in a dry, cool spot. I use this all year long and have never had it go bad, but I tend to go through it within a month. So use within 6 weeks.

I use this on my face, neck, elbows, bum, ankles, all over! But it is for external use only.

Best Foot Forward Scrub

(From Ecobeauty by Lauren Cox with Janice Cox, pg 100)

½ Cup rolled oats/old fashioned oats

½ Cup cornmeal

½ Cup coarsesalt/sea salt

½ Cup olive oil

Mix together until you have a grainy mixture. Spoon into clean container with tight lid and store in a cool dry spot. Will keep about 4 weeks. Massage about a tablespoon-1/8 cup into each foot. Leave on for 5-10 minutes, then rinse well with warm water. Dry feet well and add a lotion to help keep your feet soft.

There is a product by Earth Therapeautics that I love called Foot Therapy Tea Tree Oil Foot Spray. I first started using it when I worked on the floor. It was perfect for after I worked 12+ hours to help combat that stinky foot issue. But I can't always find it and I wanted a foot spray for flip flop season that was quick, easy and inexpensive. I think I found it!

Foot Spray

I forgot to put the witch hazel in the picture!

(modified from Ecobeauty by Lauren Cox with Janice Cox, pg 104)

2 oz distilled water

1oz witch hazel

15 drops tea tree oil

5 drops peppermint essential oil

Pour ingredients into a 3 oz spray bottle and shake to mix. Spray on your feet  to help combat stinkiness or just for a quick pick me up. This is a nice size to take to the beach or on vacation. The scent is light and its not too "girly" smelling, maybe even spray a little on the husband or kids as you walk by!

Marriage Counselors, Take 2

Ok, so assuming we aren't canceled again for a snow/ice storm, we'll finally have our marriage speakers! Yay! You've written down confidential questions and topics, and they are prepared to talk about anything and everything. Big and small. Silly and serious.

Here is our original post about it...

http://erinpresbyterianmops.blogspot.com/2015/02/marriage-sos-this-thursday-feb-26th.html

Hope to see you this Thursday, April 23rd at 9:30am! Bring snacks, Pinterest experiments, or a store bought snack to share. And as always, if you think about it, bring some donations for OCC.

Not a single natural thing

As moms, we read labels, peruse organic veggies and listen to the debates about free range chickens versus chickens that grew up in the bad part of town. Personally, I feel I've done better foodwise from the days of grabbing a Pop-Tart, Diet Coke and a clove cigarette and calling it a balanced meal. (Don't judge, it was 1995. I was listening to the Grateful Dead and wearing Birkenstocks. It was mad days, I tell you, mad days.) So much information, so much of it conflicting. Sometimes, a gal just needs a Dorito.

On that note, these recipes are completely made with processed foods. Not.A.Single.Natural.Thing. among them. (I promise to redeem myself next time around. Scout's honor)

Chocolate Haystacks
6 oz (1/2 bag) semi-sweet chocolate chips
6 oz (1/2 bag) butterscotch chips
1 C creamy peanut butter
6 oz (1/2 large bag) chow mein noodles (pretzel sticks would be really good too!)

No pics-my hands were chocolatey. Sorry.

Cover a cookie sheet with wax paper or tin foil. Set aside.

Heat chocolate and butterscotch chips in a large bowl for 30 second intervals, until melted. Stir well after each 30 second interval. (It took me one minute of heating time).

Once melted, add the peanut butter to the chocolatey goodness and stir until smooth and completely incorporated. (Consider licking the spoon. Then get a clean spoon for the next bit)

Add chow mein noodles, stirring until totally coated.

Drop the yumminess by spoonfuls onto the cookie sheet and cool completely in the fridge. This made about 18 good size haystacks. (I found these to get a little melty if left out, so we stored them in the fridge.At Easter, we formed them into little nests and added Cadbury eggs).
Original recipe: http://www.thecurvycarrot.com/2011/04/07/birds-nests/

Easy Cream Cheese Danishes
2 Can Pillsbury Grands Crescent Rolls (USE PILLSBURY-store brand don't work as well)
1 can pie filling (I used cherry)
8 oz cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 C sugar

Place crescent roll cans in the freezer for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or tin foil. Join your cream cheese, vanilla and sugar together in holy matrimony (or just beat them together, whatever) until smooth.

Open the cans and slice each into 12 pieces (Don't unroll them, just slice them)

Place six slices on a cookie sheet (they spread, so don't crowd them!). Flatten the center to create a little well for the filling.

Fill the indent with half cream cheese mixture and half the pie filling. (I used 3 cherries and a little gel per danish).Bake until edges are golden brown (recipe says 15 minutes, mine took about 12 1/2).

Cool completely. Nosh away! These are wonderful if you make them the day before. They get very danishy and even more yum. I used one can of rolls and saved the rest of the pie filling and cream cheese mixture for another time. This family does not need 24 danishes in the house! In the comment section of the original recipe, there was a comment about making them savory using veggie cream cheese, shredded cheddar and ham-sounds fabulous.

Original recipe: http://bakingbytes.com/2013/10/14/easy-cream-cheese-danishes/

Cornflake treats
1/2 C butter
5 C (10oz bag) mini marshmallows
6 C corn flakes

Butter a 9x13 pan and set aside. Throw cornflakes in a bowl. Heat butter and marshmallows, stir continuously until completely melted.

Pour marshmallow mixture over the cornflakes and stir them up.

Put in the pan and cool completely in the fridge.

(This is the recipe used for Christmas Wreath cookies. At the insistence of J, we added green food dye and cinnamon red hots. Feel free to make them any color you want. Add sprinkles. Sprinkles make everyone happy!)

Original recipe: http://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/2014/10/christmas-cornflake-wreaths.html

 If you have recipes for the blog, send them to dawn(dot)contreras at gmail(dot)com. Or bring samples to our next MOPS meeting on Thursday, April 23. We start at 9:30 am, so come a bit early to get your kidlets stored into childcare and your food situated. Hope to see you there!

This is why we NEED MNO....

And this is why we NEED an occasional MNO....

http://www.buzzfeed.com- new-mom-chronicled-her-babys-first-year-in-brutally-honest images 

Let's get out of the house and have a little time to ourselves!  We're having a MNO (Mom's Night Out) this Thursday, April 16th at 7pm at Casa Don Gallo on Northshore in the Rocky Hill area.  

Margaritas will be ordered, chips and salsa will be eaten, and....I will probably spill something on myself and not have a "kids dripped it on me" excuse.

Hope to see you there! (And if you can't make it to this one, we will hopefully be having another one soon on a different day of the week to accommodate different schedules.)

MOPS Thursday, April 9th 9:30am

It was so nice to see everyone and your kiddos at the Egg Hunt! (DK, LS and JY, we missed you!!! And whoa, we had quite a yummy spread- from the peep cupcakes, scrambled eggs + biscuits, and homemade cheddar crackers and bunny fudge.  I'm hungry just remembering it! (And by the way, CF, we'd love that recipe on the blog if you will forward it to dawn: dawn.contreras at gmail.com )

Welcome spring! And with spring, we'll have a spring craft this Thursday.  You know the drill...

MOPS 

Thursday, April 9th at 9:30am

Erin Presbyterian

Bring snacks/treats to share

Lots of laughter, catching up, encouragement and fellowship.

We'll be collecting new socks, toothpaste/brushes, hair accessories, and boxes for Operation Christmas Child.

Be thinking and praying about how you'd like to be involved in MOPS next year.  Jannette will be going over leadership roles and the new theme for next year. 

(And on a very random note, did anyone happen to see a burlap bunny banner hanging around the MOPS room? I got home and realized I only have half of it...which I hung up anyway even though it looks a bit lopsided.) 

And since nothing says SPRING like this little kissable chick...