February MOPS Coordinator's Article

When you think of Valentine's Day, what comes to mind? Many people think about love, and spending time with the sweetheart in their life. Some people think of chocolates, flowers, dining out and taking time to let the person you adore know they're special. Still others may equate Valentine’s Day as a time to shower their children with extra love and kisses. Regardless, most of us use Valentine's Day to go that extra mile and show our love to the special people in our life. It’s that one special day every year when love is in the air and people just want to inhale it!

Well, spread your love a little further. This year, how about adding one additional special person to your list? Someone whose love for us never ceases. Someone who splurges on us daily by way of the many blessings He bestows. Jesus sends us valentines not only on February 14th, but everyday. His ultimate valentine was his own sacrifice for our sins. There is no greater love; it's a love that has produced priceless salvation to many. Our God is a god of grace, mercy, kindness, generosity and love; especially love.

Below is something I had heard a while back, which always blows my mind away when I really stop to think about it.

We give our loved one flowers; He gives us beautiful fields, mountains, oceans and tropical paradises.

We make special dinner reservations for our loved one; He is preparing a feast for us in Heaven.

We give our loved one our life in marriage; He gave us His Son Jesus Christ so that we could spend eternity with Him if we should choose Him.

The love that Jesus gives to us is so strong, yet so surreal and unfathomable that it is in our sinful human nature to glaze over it and not take notice. It’s easier to acknowledge that dozen red roses from our husband or that homemade valentine from our child than it is to remember that everything we are given in this world comes from our Savior because He loves us. He blesses us with gifts everyday, despite our greed and ungraciousness.

So this month, as you go about the days approaching Valentine’s Day, shower your spouse, children and other loved ones with hugs and kisses. Send cards and order flowers to your heart’s content. Take Proverbs 3:3 to heart, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you...write them on the tablet of your heart.” However, also remember the lover of your soul and don't forget to show your love toward Him.

Make a Dinner Party Memorable

My husband and I just love to entertain.  We love the idea of having an open door policy in our home where friends and family will always feel welcome to come and visit us.  Nothing is as much fun to us as knowing that we have a gathering planned where we will have our home filled with people we love, celebrating the seasons of life together or just enjoying each other's company for no reason at all.  We eagerly anticipate our next opportunity to plan a gathering and look forward to those events that have become regular ones for us - a cookout in the summer, several children's parties throughout the year including birthdays and also Halloween and Valentine's Day get togethers, and especially our annual Christmas dinner party with our closest friends. 

The Christmas season brings that extra twinkle to my eye in general, so planning a formal get together to spend time with our dearest and closest friends has become something that we both truly enjoy and cherish.  I was asked to put a post up regarding entertaining so I think nothing exemplifies this better or brings more notes to my mind than the planning of our Christmas dinner party.  Below are some elements that I feel are key in making your next dinner party go off without a hitch so I hope that they are useful to you, too. 

1. If possible, use real dinnerware, flatware and stemware instead of disposable products. 
That is, if you are looking to create a more elegant, formal appearance.   When setting the table for a formal event, this is a must for us, even if we will be cursing our decision after the party when we are stuck with 5 loads to put into the dishwasher and a sinkful of "hand wash only" items to wash as well.  They'll get washed eventually and you'll be glad that you made the choice you did when you look back at your photos.  It's only once a year...

While I would love to someday have a Spode or Lenox set of Christmas dinnerware, for now we invested in Gibson's $15 set for 4 place settings.  I found these at The Christmas Tree Shops and any discount store would have some reasonable sets around the holidays that will not break the budget.  For $75 we now have service for 20 in our Christmas pattern and I can't tell the difference from these and a more expensive set, looks-wise.  For something we use once or twice a year, this works for us.  Here is a picture of our table set at our party this year:

2. Meat Thermometer, meat thermometer, meat thermometer!
I can't stress this enough.  If you will be cooking any sort of meat or fish whenever you have company, a digital thermometer will save your sanity, your culinary reputation...and your roast!  It is easy to get distracted when the guests start arriving so 45 minutes in the oven can easily turn into 60 if you are not paying careful attention...or if you do not have a thermometer that will beep and let you know when your meat has reached the proper temperature.  Instant read thermometers work great, too, but I am absolutely in love with my digital thermometer because it stays in the meat the entire time you are cooking it, it lets you set it to any sort of meat at various levels of doneness, and it has a timer and alarm.  My roasts are never overcooked with this, which is always my biggest fear when working with a good cut of meat.  I bought mine at Williams-Sonoma for about $25 and this one looks identical to mine, only under a different name, for $18:



3. Pick a few signature drinks to serve.
If you are interested in serving alcohol at your party, I would suggest coming up with a few signature drinks to offer instead of having an open bar.  We typically offer red and white white and then a few different mixed drinks to choose from.  It helps to limit the cost in alcohol and also the inventory you need to stock and helps to make people's decisions easier when choosing what to drink.  Personally, I like to keep any punch we serve non-alcoholic since some people do not want to or cannot drink alcohol.  Here are two popular drinks we served this year, which were fun and festive.  Typically, we have 2-4 signature drinks to choose from.

Candy Cane Tini - This drink added a festive touch and helped the ment o get in touch with their feminine side since it quickly turns a nice shade of pink when the candy cane is added.  They sepnt the whole night denying that they had a "girly" drink. 
1/2 oz. Schnapps, peppermint

1 oz. Vodka

1 piece (Mini candy cane) Candy

Shake ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into glass. Place a candy cane in the glass. It will turn the drink pink and adds to the flavor.

Bellini - This sparkling peach drink is made with champagne so it adds a festive touch to any Christmas, New Year's or other gathering that gives you reason to celebrate!                                                                  1 part chilled peach nectar or white peach puree

1 part peach schnapps
4 parts Italian dry Sparkling wine or dry Champagne

Chill all ingredients ahead of time.   When ready to serve, pour the peach nectar and peach schnapps into the bottom of each fluted champagne glass. Fill each glass with sparkling wine or dry champagne and serve to your guests.

4. Food Quantities.
There are many rules of thumb out there for serving sizes when entertaining.  These are my own, based on past experience cooking for a crowd.

Appetizers:  Plan on 3-6 of each type per person for individual hors d'oeuvres; consider each dip, etc. to serve about 10 people and double/triple your recipe accordingly.

Meat:  Plan on 1/3 lb. per person for boneless meats; 1/2 lb. per person for bone-in meats.

Side Dishes:  Plan on each recipe to serve 10 people and double/triple accordingly.

Rolls/bread:  Plan on 1.5 rolls person.  Many people will only take one and several people will take two.  Typically, this gives me a few extras, which means to me that everyone had their fill and I had enough food, but not too much.

Desserts:  Plan on one slice of cake/pie per person and 2-3 individual pastries, cookies, etc.

5. Favors
We always love to give a small favor to our guests when they leave, as a final token of friendship.  Often, I will make some homemade truffles or other goodies to wrap up and give out, since I love to bake.  Other times, I have found a nice store-bought favor such as Christmas votive holders I found one year or an elegant ornament.  This year, knowing that most of our guests have young children at home and wanting to do something more unique and homemade, I created some hot chocolate packages.  What I included were a packet of hot chocolate for each member of the family, a small baggie of homemade marshmallows and a small baggie of chocolate covered spoons.  I tied all of these together with a tag.  We feel that the time spent putting these together is worthwhile when this small touch adds just that "little extra" to the event, giving a last memorable item to hand out to your guests as they leave.

I hope this has helped some of you as you plan your own parties.  If there are any other items I did not touch on that you would like advice on, leave me a comment and I'll get back to you.  Happy entertaining!

MOPS: January Coordinator's Article

Typically, January is a time for change. For resolutions. For a reevaluation of one’s life and the subsequent plan to make this new year the “best one yet”. Diets are started, gyms are joined, projects are begun and attitudes are changed. That is, until the motivation wears off and we go back to our old ways, leaving us even less satisfied with our lives than before.

Yet why should we be so dissatisfied with ourselves? We have recently been through the Christmas season, with all of it’s splendors in the form of gathering with loved ones, giving and receiving gifts, an over-abundance of delicious food and most importantly, the celebration of our Lord and Savior’s birth. After being given all of this, how can we not be satisfied with our lives?

Unfortunately, many people are dissatisfied with themselves, even amidst such abundance. Instead of seeing a table full of food at dinnertime, so many of us complain about what’s to eat. Instead of seeing a closetful of clothing, some of us claim that there is “nothing to wear.” Our mirrors and scales become our biggest enemies when reality differs from our mind and society’s ideal.

Our problem, however, is not a lack of possessions, worth or possibilities. Rather, the problem here is inward focus, which results in dissatisfaction and discontent. We become blind to what we have been given and instead focus only on what we lack, or think we lack. We are focusing on ourselves instead of on Jesus, the one on whom our eyes should always remain.

Jeremiah 31:14 has been written as a means for reminding us where our focus should be. “’And my people shall be satisfied with my goodness,’ declares the Lord.” When we focus on God’s goodness, we can plainly see all of the blessings He has bestowed on us. His Goodness has hand-carved each of us to be who we are with unique personalities, characteristics and talents. He has given all of us so much, which is evident when we open our eyes in thanksgiving. And when it gets right down to it, what more can we really want? God has already given us everything in Jesus Christ, in the Word made flesh, the light that has overcome the darkness of sin and death.

So why not start 2011 as a Year of Satisfaction, rather than ferreting out all of the areas in which we are lacking? Be content with what God has given to you and how He has made you. Know that you are perfect the way that you are. By focusing on His goodness, we are honoring ourselves in the way in which He meant to create us. God loves you the way that you are and longs for you to embrace this. So go ahead and make this your resolution for 2011. You’ll be glad that you did. More importantly, Jesus will.

Christmas Cutout Cookies

Like many Christian families, we enjoy making Christmas cookies and candies in preparation for the holiday.  We have a fun time making them together and also packaging them up to give out to friends and family.  I will have a few additional posts this season with some other recipes and ideas, but this one is specifically for my friend Jessica, who requested that I put this up on my blog.  I believe I first made her these cutout cookie sandwiches for her office baby shower many years ago (seven??).  Yes, I do make these for other occasions in different shapes, but for the most part I make them at Christmastime.  I also sometimes do not make them into sandwiches and just keep them as plain cutout cookies.  I have another butter cookies recipe I do make at times, too, which is harder in texture, but these ones are one of my favorites because they are such a soft cookie that retains its shape for ease in cutting and baking.  Enjoy!

1c. butter

3oz. cream cheese

3/4c. sugar

1tsp. vanilla

1 egg

3c. flour

1/8tsp. salt

About 1c. lemon curd, seedless raspberry jam or apricot jam

powdered sugar

Beat butter, cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and egg in large bowl with an mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.  Stir in flour and salt until blended.  Cover and refrigerate for 2-6 hours.  Heat oven to 375.  Roll a fourth of the dough at a time to 1/8" thickness on a lightly floured board.  Cut dough with cutters and place 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake for 8-10 minutes, until very light brow and set  Immediately remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack.  When cool, make cookies into sandwiches by putting 1/2tsp. jam or curd on the bottom cookie and covering with another.  Mix approximately 2c. powdered sugar with 1/4c. water.  You may add a dash of almond or vanilla extract, if desired.  Fill a pastry bag or a Ziploc with the corner snipped with the icing.  The consistency should be stiff enough to not spread out when a line is drawn but thin enough to be able to easily write.  You may also opt to just spread icing on the cookies instead of outlining and using the writing tip to decorate.  In either case, sprinkle with colored sugars very quickly after the icing is put onto the cookie and shake off the excess.  Let dry completely and enjoy!

Family Movie Night: A Charlie Brown Christmas

Movie: A Charlie Brown Christmas
Menu: Hot chocolate and Cheerio Christmas Trees










Tonight our family will get our Christmas tree together so what better way to end our evening than to have a Family Movie Night starring Charlie Brown, Lucy and the gang.  Our boys just love Charlie Brown and I have recently coerced them into not watching It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown every other day.  So, I believe it's time for a holiday shift starring our favorite blockhead and Joe Cool. 

So that Charlie is not the only one with his infamously, eh, interesting "Charlie Brown tree," we opted to make 8 of them ourselves this morning to enjoy as our special treat.  So, ta-da, eight little Charlie Brown Christmas trees, made with Cheerios, marshmallows and lots of love.  We had loads of fun with the green food coloring and we had to do a little reshaping of our trees everytime a candy ornament was placed on one of them (with a little too much pressure), but they survived and are now all decked out for the big occasion tonight.

To make these yourself:
3 cups Cheerios
3T. butter
Approximately 2.5 cups of large or mini marshmallows
Green food coloring
Assorted small candies

Over low heat, melt the butter and marshmallows until creamy and completely smooth.  Place the Cheerios into a large bowl.  Pour the melted marshmallow mixture over the Cheerios and stir.  Add green food coloring to your liking.  Spray hands with PAM and gently shape approximately 1/4 cup of the mixture into a Christmas tree shape and place on waxed paper.  Decorate with candies by pressing into the trees gently.  Enjoy!

We really enjoy Rice Krispie treats in our house but ever since receiving the Cheerios cookbook, we have often opted towards using Cheerios in lieu of the Krispies.  You can basically use them interchangeably.  I would highly recommend the Cheerios cookbook for any family with young children.  It has easy recipes that the kids can help prepare and some cute craft ideas, too.  A really cute birthday or new baby gift, especially if coupled with the Cheerios play books.  All are available at Amazon and links are below.

Good grief, Snoopy, that was easy enough, now wasn't it?  Here's to a happy and healthy Christmas season to you and your family.  May you and your family have as much fun watching Charlie Brown as I know we always do every year.  And as Linus likes to remind us in the Christmas pagent at the end of the movie,

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.'"

"......That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

Quick and Easy Peppermint Treats

Christmas is quickly approaching and many of you are probably thinking about doing some Christmas baking for your various family and friend gatherings.  If, like me, you enjoy making elegant looking treats that are both delicious and easy to prepare, then the following list of peppermint-themed treats may be appealing to you.  You can enjoy these yummy Christmas treats that you can make either alone or with the kids. With a minimal amount of baking, if any, they are easy for everyone to help out.

Oreo Peppermint Truffles

8oz. Cream cheese, softened

1lb. Box of Oreo cookies, or equivalent
1/4c. Finely crushed candy canes
2c. Dark, semi-sweet or white chocolate, melted

Mix cream cheese, candy canes and about 3/4 of the Oreo crumbs well. Shape into approximately 48 balls and place in the freezer until very firm, at least an hour. Dip in melted chocolate, sprinkle with extra cookie crumbs or peppermint pieces. Place on waxed paper sheets. Refrigerate 1 hour until firm.

Peppermint Bark

12oz. Dark chocolate chips
12oz. White chocolate chips

1 box candy canes, coarsely chopped

Line a 10x7 baking dish with wax paper, wrapping around the top and taping to the edges to hold in place. Melt the dark chocolate in the microwave or with a double boiler. Spread evenly in the pan. Place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Next, melt the white chocolate and spread on top of the dark chocolate. While still wet, sprinkle the top with the chopped candy canes. Refrigerate until firm and break into “bark-like” pieces.

Peppermint Meringues

2 egg whites

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar

1/2 cup white sugar

2 peppermint candy canes, crushed

Preheat oven to 225 degrees F. Line two cookie sheets with foil. In a large mixing bowl, beat egg whites, salt, and cream of tartar to soft peaks. Gradually add sugar, continuing to beat until shiny with stiff peaks. Drop by spoonfuls 1 inch apart on the prepared cookie sheets. Sprinkle crushed peppermint candy over the cookies.  Bake for 1-1/2 hours. Meringues should be completely dry on the inside. Do not allow them to brown. Turn off oven. Keep oven door ajar, and let meringues sit in the oven until completely cool. Loosen from foil with metal spatula.

Peppermint Chocolate Spoons

40 plastic spoons of your choice in color

12 oz. dark chocolate candy melts

1/2c. Finely chopped candy canes

Melt chocolate wafers in the microwave or with a double boiler. Spread a piece of wax paper out on your counter or table. Dip the spoons into the chocolate to thoroughly coat, going a few inches up the handle. Sprinkle with candy cane pieces and place on the waxed paper to dry. Wrap up as a gift by tying several together with a ribbon and placing into a bag. These are delicious when used to stir your coffee or hot chocolate.

MOPS: December Coordinator's Article

As I look through my family’s photo collection, I realize that we have an overabundance of Christmas photos. Pictures from my childhood, from my husband’s childhood, and of us as a couple with our three young children. Babies in Santa hats, little boys in matching argyle sweater vests...all of us in our Christmas Eve finest or our Christmas morning robes.

I love seeing these memories, some taken on the same sofa or in front of the same fireplace every year with only our changing hairstyles, ages and outfits to mark any difference. They show how our families have grown and changed over the years. That photograph of the squishy baby propped up against a giant gift is as endearing to me as the gawky teenage pictures of myself with 1990’s bangs, a tacky Christmas sweater and legwarmers.

But those photos really only tell part of the story. What about everything leading up to and following the Big Day? The kitchen covered in flour as Mom bakes cookies with three young children and the chaotic mass of wrapping paper on the floor Christmas morning are all part of what makes this time of year special. It's those times when we forget to take out the camera to capture "real life" because we are anticipating the beautiful moments when we will all look picture-perfect on one special day.
Most importantly, why should the photographs of ourselves trying to look perfect be the most treasured when we all know that we are not perfect. Not even close.

Have we forgotten to capture the beauty in the mayhem because we are too distracted to see it? Or see Him, for that matter.

This Christmas season Santa may be at every mall and in every catalog, but Jesus’ quiet entrance into our world so many years ago is the reason why we are even decking the halls with boughs of holly today. Santa may be asking your little ones what they want for Christmas this year. But the excitement on a child’s face when he gets to pick out a gift for his sibling and practice the art of giving is priceless.

Maybe everyone isn’t smiling in that sought-after formal Christmas photo, but treasure the time that you have with your loved ones instead of mourning the lack of a good photograph. Memories of times shared with your family and friends will outlive that Polaroid.

Jesus was born to love you. He wants you to follow Him on a daily basis. Most importantly, he yearns to celebrate his birthday with you, as a friend.

So this season, rejoice in the “real life” moments that typically would pass you by. Start traditions with your family and friends. Show your kids that giving can be just as exciting as receiving. Above all else, rejoice that Jesus was born to be your Savior and to love us unconditionally, today and always

“For unto you is born this day, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.” ~Luke 2

May you and your family have a blessed Christmas together celebrating Jesus!