'Tis the Season... for MOPS

'Tis the Season... for MOPS! Oh what I am saying, it's always the season for MOPS... at least when you are part of a great MOPS group like this one!  This past Tuesday was our Christmas celebration.  We had a fun (and rather polite), white elephant gift exchange.  

...complete with a precious baby

One of the funniest moments was watching one of our members pull all these items AND MORE out of her gift bag...

 ...we were missing a few members, but overall, had a great turnout for a fun meeting.

AND... remember that YUMMY Red Pepper Jelly we made at a previous meeting?  We added cute Christmas spreaders, a fun handmade tag and VIOLA... lovely Christmas gifts for our Moppet childcare workers.

Thanksgiving :: Operation Christmas Child 2011

Today was a special MOPS meeting.  Not only was it our Thanksgiving brunch meeting, but also our annual Operation Christmas Child packing party.

 

Our Thanksgiving brunch had so many yummy treats!

And best of all... we were blessed with Pastor Drew at the head of the table.

Canning :: Hot Pepper Jelly

This week we canned hot pepper jelly. It was such a yummy project!

The Infamous Red Pepper Jelly recipe 4 medium fresh sweet red peppers 4 medium fresh jalapeno peppers 1 cup white or cider vinegar 5 cups sugar 6 ounces of liquid fruit pectin 1 tsp red food coloring (optional) Seed and chop red peppers and jalapenos (wear latex gloves for the jalapenos). Put the peppers and the vinegar in a blender or food processor and process until smooth. Put the mixture in a 4-5 quart pot and stir in sugar. Cook over medium heat till boiling and then boil for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in food coloring and pectin. Return to heat and boil 1 more minute until it thickens slightly (it should coat the space between the tines of a fork put into it). Fill sterilized jars with jelly and seal with tight-fitting lids. Store in a cool, dark place or a refrigerator. To serve it, cover softened cream cheese with jelly and serve on crackers.

{Guest Speaker} Foster Closet

What a great MOPS meeting! Tammy from Foster Closet came to speak with us about her organization that provides so much to foster families. We collected items during the previous two weeks to donate to Foster Closet.  It was wonderful and I am glad we were able to give her so much to take back to share with the foster children she serves. 

After the guest speaker parted, it was time for a craft.  Since it is so close to all of the Autumn and Winter holidays, a countdown board was the perfect craft to make. 

Pumpkin Patch 2011

The Pumpkin Patch Playdate was a lot of fun.  We all had a great itme learning about the different types of pumpkins and then picking our own to take home.  After the pumpkin patch, we were off to the playground to enjoy lunch.

Food Schedule

GROUP 1:

Bring food on Oct. 4, Nov 15 (everyone brings Thanksgiving food), Nov. 29, Dec. 6 (everybody brings Christmas food), Jan 31, Mar 6, April 17, May 29 (everyone brings food)

Suzanne T

Lupe O

Jerrica F

Amanda S

GROUP 2: 

Bring food on Oct. 18, Nov. 15 (everyone brings Thanksgiving food), Jan. 3, Feb. 7, Mar 20, May 1, May 29 (everyone brings food)

Jennifer T

Alissa W

April S

Erin L

Courtney V

GROUP 3: 

Bring food on Nov. 1, Nov. 15 (everyone brings Thanksgiving food), Jan 17, Feb. 21, April 3, May 15, May 29 (everyone brings food)

Lauren A

Annabelle A

Tina R

Christy W

Tiffany N

Kick Off Party!

We had a GREAT 1st meeting / Kick off party. We loved seeing all the older members that returned and so excited for the 8 new members. We had a great time and hope to see everyone at the next meeting.