Tasty Tuesday: Slow Cooker Lasagna

Lasagna in the crockpot? Yes, please! This is one of my family's favorite recipes. It's pretty soupy, which we're a big fan of... the saucier, the better!

(photo source)

The Ingredients:

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 28oz can crushed tomatoes
• 15oz can tomato sauce
• 14oz can sliced mushrooms (optional)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese or low-fat cottage cheese
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup shredded or grated parmesan cheese
• No-boil lasagna noodles

The Directions:

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook beef, onion & garlic until browned (5-7 minutes). Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, mushrooms, salt, oregano & basil. Simmer for at least 5 minutes.

In a medium bowl, stir together ricotta cheese & 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.

In another bowl, combine remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella & parmesan cheese. Put in fridge for later.

Spoon 1/3 of beef mixture in your crockpot, covering the bottom fully. Break 3 lasagna noodle sheets in half & arrange until beef mixture is covered. Add half of ricotta mixture. Repeat with another layer of each & finish with remaining 1/3 of beef mixture.

Cover slow cooker & cook on low for 4-6 hours. Turn off heat. Sprinkle the parmesan/mozzarella mixture on top of lasagna. Cover until cheese melts & lasagna firms up a little, about 10 mins.

Tasty Tuesday: burrito bites

This recipe is from Jill K... its looks like a perfect lunch or snack for kiddos (or adults)! Thanks, Jill!

(photo source)

The Ingredients:

• 2 (8 oz) blocks cream cheese, softened
• 2 (4 oz) cans chopped green chilies
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 10 flour tortillas

The Directions:

Mix cream cheese, chopped green chilies & taco seasoning together. Microwave tortillas for 30 seconds to make them easier to work with.

Spread mixture on tortillas. Roll tortillas & cut into bite-size pieces.

**Tip: it's sometimes easier to cut the rolls if you put them in the fridge to chill first

time to enroll for MOPS 2013-14!

Only a little over 2 weeks until Sept 12th, & as you can imagine, the first MOPS meeting of the year can get kinda... well, messy!

We have lots of new moms... YAY!
We have lots of new kiddos.... YAY!
We have lots of paperwork.... not yay.

So in an effort to make things more efficient, we're putting the forms out there for you ladies to get a head-start. We're attempting online enrollment for the first time, so if you have technical issues, please let us know on the facebook page!

Option #1: Online Enrollment (preferred!)

• Click here to complete the MOPS enrollment form.

• Click here to complete the MOPPETS enrollment form for your children.

Option #2: Paper Enrollment

• Download the paper MOPS enrollment form. (Print, complete & bring to the meeting)
• Download the paper MOPPETS enrollment form for your children (Print, complete & bring to the meeting)

Tasty Tuesday: Buffalo Chicken Dip

Margaret made this last year for our December recipe swap.... it would be a great snacky option now that football season is upon us!

(photo source)

The Ingredients:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup wing sauce
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing (or bleu cheese dressing)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (monterey jack or cheddar)

The Directions:

Mix cream cheese, wing sauce & dressing until blended. Pour shredded cheese on top. Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 10-25 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly. Serve with corn chips, tortillas, celery &/or carrots... or just eat it out of the bowl!

Steering Team Intros... meet Cheryl !

My full name is Cheryl Elizabeth Nelson.

I'm on the MOPS Hospitality team.

I have seven daughters -- Cassie (18), Cierra (16), Cayli (14), Chloe (11), Cadence & Charis (5), 
& Courtney (almost 2).

I was born in Augusta, GA.

If I had two hours of kid-free time,
I would do more volunteer training at Red Cross or 
Foothills Alliance.

If I could go out to dinner anywhere tonight,
I'd choose the Melting Pot... my husband & I
have so much fun there even though we only go maybe every
year & a half!

My fav dessert is peanut butter cookies.

The last book I read was... do kids books count? Pete the Cat,
I Love My New Shoes (we love that book!).
The last movie I saw was The Lucky One again last night...
yep, it's a chick flick :)
If I could go on a road trip with anyone, I'd choose Oprah...
I'd love to pick her brain!

Something I've learned in the last week?
Acting like a teenager with my teenagers every once in a while is really worth it... had so much fun!

It's 8pm on Saturday night...  I'm just wishing all my kids (or at least the 3 youngest) would fall asleep before my husband. 

My favorite thing about MOPS is
the moms & kids, the connections, the friendships!

Steering Team Intros.... meet Sabine!

My full name is Sabine Friedel.

I'm on the MOPS Hospitality team.

I have two children -- Simon (4) and Nora (1). 

I was born & grew up in Bavaria, Germany. 

If I had two hours of kid-free time, I would meet friends for coffee or run errands.

If I could go out to dinner anywhere tonight?... Sullivan's or a good steakhouse in Greenville.

My fav dessert is German or swiss chocolate.

The last book I read was Five Love Languages for Kids...
I would recommend it.
Last movie I saw was Hitchcock & I loved it! 

If I could win a lifetime supply of anything, I'd choose
organic & fair trade coffee from Africa or South America.
Something I've learned in the last week?
Don't make too many plans ahead... you never know what happens.

It's 8pm on Saturday night...  I'm cleaning up & bringing kids to bed.

My favorite thing about MOPS is meeting nice women &
serving & helping other moms.

2013-14 MOPS dues

At Anderson MOPS, we do everything we can (literally, like, EVERYTHING) to keep our expenses as low as possible. But we do need your financial support.

2013-14 annual dues = $60

(Breakdown: $23.95 to MOPS Int'l + $4 per meeting for 9 meetings)

What are your local dues going toward, you ask?

• safe, reliable childcare so you can enjoy the meetings without chasing your toddler... not that chasing your toddler's not fun & all. & also, it's the same price whether you have 1 kiddo or 17.
• crafty crafts... even for the craft-challenged among us, those little pretties we make during the meetings are just kinda awesome.
• all those fabulous raffle prizes & giveaways... nothing makes a meeting more fun than walking away with a little gift certificate or cute surprise!
• meeting supplies... handouts, kitchen supplies, cute centerpieces, favors, the thank you gifts for our kind speakers, the childcare labels. These things seem rather small, but they definitely add up!

And did you know that we pay dues to MOPS International for each member? Yep, it's true. In order to be an official MOPS chapter & support the international organization, we pay an annual membership fee of $23.95 per member. 

I know, $60 is a lot of money for most of us. But we have a couple of options to make it as painless as possible...

Option #1: Pay per Semester

Pay $30 now & $30 again in January.

Option #2: Pay per Year

Pay $60 now & get it over with. This covers everything for the entire year & you don't have to worry about it again until next September!

And now you may have questions...

• When is my money due?
  Your membership dues are due at the Sept 12th or Oct 10th meeting.
• How do I pay?
  Dues can be paid at the registration table at the Sept or Oct meetings. Checks should be made payable to "Anderson MOPS."
• What if I don't join MOPS until after October 10th?
  If you join us after the October meeting, please let Melissa (our treasurer) know & she'll work out a prorated amount.
• What if I miss a meeting & I've already paid?
  We hope you won't have to miss a meeting, but all moms know that sometimes kids wake up sick or things just kinda fall apart (beautiful mess, anyone?). When you pay your dues, your contribution is immediately put toward the costs of making our meetings fabulous. We can't give refunds for missed meetings, but please know that we'll miss you!
• What if I really, really want to join MOPS, but my family just can't afford it?
  Please know that money should not keep you from coming to MOPS! If money is an issue, we'll figure out how to make it work.... we have scholarships available if the fees are just not possible for your family. Please talk to us & let us help!
• Why should I want to support MOPS International?
  Because you & I & all moms are worth investing in! Through MOPS membership, you make it possible for moms all around the world to get the support & encouragement of MOPS. We are part of a community of moms doing life together & supporting MOPS Int'l makes this possible. Together we're reaching 90,000+ moms & truly creating better moms who make a better world. And it wouldn't be happening without the help of mamas like you!
  
  Oh, & also you get fun stuff from MOPS Int'l... a super-cute reusable bag with the MOPS logo, a DVD featuring Boz the Bear for your littles, & a subscription to MomSense magazine!
  

  

  mops welcome package!

Steering Team Intros... meet Pamela!

My full name is Pamela Leigh Schult.

I'm on the MOPS Hospitality team. 

I have two children -- Abigail (2) and Benjamin (7 months). 

I was born here in Anderson, SC.

If I had two hours of kid-free time, I would
read, scrapbook or paint.

If I could go out to dinner anywhere tonight, I'd choose Sullivan's. 

My fav dessert is  brownies!

The last book I read was Inferno by Dan Brown.
Last movie I saw was Les Miserables.
Yep, I recommend both!

Subject that I wish I had paid more attention to in school?
history!... I just didn't retain much.
If I could win a lifetime supply of anything, I'd choose gasoline...
Something I've learned in the last week?
My daughter is now copying everything I say.

It's 8pm on Saturday night...  I'm playing on facebook :)

My favorite thing about MOPS is
connecting with other moms! 

Steering Team Intros... meet Meagan!

My full name is Meagan Grand 
(aka Esmeralda)

I'm on the MOPS Hospitality team. 

I have four children -- Katie (4), Lila & Julia (3) and 
James (4 months). 

I was born in Ann Arbor, MI.

If I had two hours of kid-free time, I would read a good book!

If I could go out to dinner anywhere tonight,
I'd choose Outback.

My fav dessert is anything with chocolate & peanut butter.

I'm currently reading The Fault in Our Stars... love it! 

If I could win a lifetime supply of anything, I'd choose
money :)
Something I've learned in the last week?
The crisis ends when Christ begins.
(can't remember who to give credit to, but I didn't
come up with it on my own)

It's 8pm on Saturday night...  I'm collapsing on the couch after putting all the kids to bed.
Wait, no... I forgot. I'm nursing the baby.

My favorite thing about MOPS is all the cool chicks
I get to hang out with!

Tasty Tuesday: Blueberry Buckle

Thanks for sharing this tasty-looking deliciousness, Abbey!

(photo source)

The Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 cups fresh blueberries

Topping:

• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup cold butter, cubed

The Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a small bowl, cream butter & sugar until light & fluffy. Beat in egg. Combine flour, baking powder & salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. Fold in blueberries. Pour into greased 9-in square baking pan.

For topping: in a small bowl, combine sugar, flour & cinnamon. Cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over blueberry mixture.

Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack.

Steering Team Intros... meet Alisha!

My full name is Alisha Barrett Martin.

I'm on the MOPS Hospitality team.

I have seven children -- Ryvers (10), Ridge (7), Birch & Bramble (almost 5), Adler (3), and Beck & Juniper (1). 

I was born in Greenville, SC. 

If I had two hours of kid-free time, I...
I don't understand the question. 

If I could go out to dinner anywhere tonight?...
Olive Garden or Papa's & Beer.

My fav dessert is dark chocolate.

The last book I read was 1000 Gifts... YES, I recommend it!
Amazing book!
Last movie I saw was Dumb & Dumber. If you need to laugh or be stupid for 2 hours, this is your movie. 

If I could win a lifetime supply of anything, I'd choose
$1000 bills.
Something I've learned in the last week?
"Shidder cheese is tossed with sawdust." --Margaret Berry

It's 8pm on Saturday night...  I'm working on our new house.

My favorite thing about MOPS is the friendships. 
most definitely.

Steering Team Intros... meet Brittany!

My full name is Brittany Kephart.

I'm on the MOPS Hospitality team... I'm greeting new moms & helping with MOPPETS check-in.

I have two children -- Marlee (2) and Annabelle 
(due on Turkey Day!). 

I was born in Eustis, FL.

If I had two hours of kid-free time, I would SLEEP or catch up on
my DVR shows that have been there for weeks... or maybe even months!!

If I could go out to dinner anywhere tonight?... probably
Cheese Cake Factory in Atlanta. YUUUUMMMM!

My fav dessert is chex mix & peanut m&m's mixed together in a big bowl.

The last book I read was Happiest Toddler on the Block
& Something Blue.
Last movie I saw was Great Gatsby. Would recommend all three! 

If I could win a lifetime supply of anything, I'd choose
money!
Something I've learned in the last week?
There is sawdust in preshredded cheese.

It's 8pm on Saturday night...  I'm putting my toddler to bed.
I know, big party animal right here :)

My favorite thing about MOPS is the fellowship with other Christian moms...
because you can't do life alone!