MOPS University--January 19th Meeting Recap

Our latest meeting was our annual MOPS University!  Each year, we invite both outside speakers as well as talented individuals from our own group to teach us something new.  We started the day with a quick breakfast before breaking out into our classes. 

I was so excited to attend my chosen classes, that I forgot to run around to all the groups to take pictures.  Oops.... (Let's blame "mom brain"...)

Here are the classes that were offered this year.  Thank you so much to all of our "professors"!

• Things to consider when selecting a preschool -- Owatonna Christian School staff
• Saving for college -- John Havelka
• Oils -- Amy Gillis
• Photography -- Shot in the Dark Photography
• Gratitude Journaling -- Mentor Moms
• Freezer Meal Planning -- Bailey Balzer
• Hairstyling -- Bella Vita Salon
• Coffee Roasting -- Aaron Will

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Our "Silver Spoon Award" winner for the week is Heidi Douglas!  She also has earned the ultimate honor of being our very first repeat winner! (Lucky for me, because I already had this picture of her from last time!)  Here is the recipe for her winning dish:

Toffee Apple French Toast

 

Ingredients:

8 cups cubed French bread

2 medium, tart apples, peeled and chopped

1-8 oz. package cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

1 3/4 cups milk, divided

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla, divided

1 teaspoon almond extract

1/2 cup English toffee bits or almond brickle chips

5 eggs

Powdered sugar (garnish)

Place half of bread cubes in a greased 9 x 13 pan.  Top with apples.  In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugars, 1/4 cup of milk 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth.  Stir in toffee bits.  Spread over apples.  Top with remaining bread crumbs.

In another bowl, beat the eggs, remaining milk and vanilla and almond extract.  Pour over bread.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.  Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 35-45 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

Dust with powdered sugar.  Serve warm.

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Announcements:

• **Don't forget! If school is cancelled or 2 hours late in Owatonna district, MOPS would also be cancelled.**
• Mark your calendars for a MOPS Mom's Night Out on Saturday, March 5th!  More information to come...
• Earlier this year, we collected cards and money for the Kerr family.  Shannon Kerr was in a terrible car accident back in September with two of her children. Her daughters have recovered, but Shannon's injuries were more severe. She has come a long way--God works miracles! (Follow her journey on Caring Bridge: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/shannonkerr/journal ) However, the medical costs associated with her hospitalization and ongoing treatment and therapy are extensive. To help take care of some of the costs, there is a benefit for the Kerr family.  Here are the details:
  
  Team Kerr Family Benefit
  Saturday February 6, 2016 5-9pm
  Christian Life Church
  6300 212th St W Farmington, MN
• From the official invitation:
  Join us for the Team Kerr Family Benefit. The evening will include dinner, a live and silent auction, and bake sale. All proceeds will go to the Kerr family to help with medical expenses.
  Tickets are $25/per. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance. If you are interested in advance purchase, please contact Heather- hlongawa@gmail.com or 612-741-7282
  Per our agreement with the facility, we request that only children 15yrs and older be in attendance.
  Schedule:
  5:00-7:00 Doors open, dinner, silent auction bidding
          7:15 Dinner last call, silent auction closes, Jason & Shannon
                  share
          7:30 Live auction begins
          9:00 Event closes
  Feel free to share this invitation! ---> http://www.evite.com/event/0317LH7YE6INWMDSWEPFWTTVDUU7PU?utm_medium=sharable_invite&utm_campaign=send_sharable_link&utm_source=facebook&cb=6119430591

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Looking forward to our next meeting on February 2nd:

At our meeting this week, we will be listening to our own Ann VandeZande speak on the topic of anger.  Please come prepared with questions for Ann about your own experiences dealing with anger.  As we know that this can be a sensitive topic, there will be a container with note cards on the front table if you would like to submit a question anonymously.  We're looking forward to a great discussion!

The FIERCE and STRONG tables are on for breakfast and the POWERFUL table is in charge of bringing snacks for MOPPETS this week. Please bring an unopened box/bag of snacks, remembering to keep allergies in mind.  Recommended items include Cheerios, Kix, Chex, Goldfish, and Ritz crackers. Thank you!