Welcome!

Hello! Welcome to the North Creek Presbyterian Church MOPS Blog! A place to share words of encouragement, recipes ideas, book recommendations and more! Please let me know if there is anything you would like me to share on this blog, or any ideas you have! Just email mopsncpc@gmail.com.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Welcome, Fall!


 
Hello everyone! So I am not a gardener. Maybe when my kids are a little older. But I am always SO thrilled to see this lovely tree (a maple of some kind....???) become utterly breathtaking all on it's own come fall. And I didn't have to do a thing! :) Aren't the trees AMAZING right now? And how about some of these incredibly sunny days we've had? What a blessing they have been. I hope you have been able to take some time to feel that fresh fall breeze, smell the crisp air, stomp and play in the leaves, and talk about God's amazing creation with your kids. Even when the days are gray, I am thankful for those clouds providing a perfect backdrop for the bursting pops of color on the trees everywhere.
 
 
I wish everyone a super fun and safe Halloween this week.  Looking forward to seeing your beautiful smiling faces at our next MOPS meeting on Wednesday, November 6th.

This post's BEAUTIFUL MESS brought to you by:  My kitchen sink :)
 

Words of Wisdom


 
 
 
 

Something Yummy

How much do you LOVE pumpkin???? I DO, so if you don't, I apologize in advance for going nuts with all these pumpkin recipes. I promise to work to include more main dishes, healthy snacks, veggie side ideas etc.....but my sweet tooth always gets the better of me!!! :)
 
Pumpkin Protein Pancakes These ARE actually healthy. I doubled the recipe, and used 2 eggs instead of the whites. I also used 1/4 C brown sugar instead of the honey and added 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice to go along with the cinnamon. Delicious topped with a thin layer of pure maple syrup.
 
Easy Pumpkin Muffins I usually add 1 egg to the ingredients and have also used a spice cake boxed cake mix instead of the yellow cake mix, for even more pumpkin flavor!
 
Pumpkin Bread This recipe by Bobby Flay of the Food Network. I do miss that channel now that we don't have TV.
 
Pumpkin Snickerdoodles Sound amazing. I think you could halve the recipe.
 
World's Best Chicken Ha! A main dish! You MUST try this. Thank you Jen Rainey for the recipe.
 
-Hannah Dal Maso, MOPS Publicity
 


Wednesday, October 9, 2013

A Beautiful Mess!

Laundry Pile :)
Hello lovely MOPS mamas! Hannah here. I am very excited to be writing my first official post for the 2013-2014 year as your publicity chair! What a wonderful theme we have this year---A Beautiful Mess! Pictured above is just one of the many messes you'll find around my house these days. Since having our third child, "mess" has certainly grown into a new term all together. It isn't always easy, but I am trying so hard to let things go and do the most important work of mommyhood: playing with my kids! Will you join me as we embrace our messes, and together discover what it means to be content right where we are at! :)

My goal is to write a bi-monthly post on our non-MOPS Wednesdays. The content will vary but a couple things I would like to include regularly are inspiring quotes (don't you just love those?!) and recipes (YUM!).

So let's get things started!
  
Words of Wisdom

"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson


Meet New Mom, Kris!

1. Tell us a little about your kiddos.
Gigi is 2.  She is spunky, a natural people person, empathetic and funny.  She has moderate - severe hearing loss and wears hearing aids and that is helping immensely. People comment on her gorgeous super curly hair. Jojo is 5 months and everywhere we go folks comment on her happy smiley demeanor.  She is a laid back joy and lights up when Gigi plays with her. 

2. What do you enjoy about being a mom?
Being a mom is like being filled with love over an over again every day and no matter how much you spend that love always feeling full. :)  My girls make me laugh, bring me joy, make me think about my life and have created a great bond between my husband and me as parents.  They help me see God in this world every day.

3. If you had some kid-free time to yourself, what would you do?
I love spa days and dinners out with my girlfriends. I used to love dancing and pool and might try those again some day. :)

4. What is your favorite dessert?
Dessert - especially with cream cheese. And Chipotle chips.

5. Do you prefer coffee or tea?
Diet coke.

6. How do you de-stress?
I watch trashy television or talk to my hubby or best friends.

7. What is the messiest room in your house?
Our bedroom because I never get to it since no one sees it.





Something Yummy


 
In my opinion, there is always room for a little dessert!! :)

Betty Crocker Apple Crisp
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/apple-crisp/3715a45c-3c00-430c-bbe2-9865f9013238

Snickerdoodle Blondies
http://www.myownsweetthyme.com/2010/04/secret-to-soft-snickerdoodles.html