Meet Kelly's table

Here's Kelly then and now!

Kelly is in 1/3 MOPS and this is her first year as a DGL. She and her husband have a little boy and a baby on the way.  

Do you have a favorite Halloween tradition or memory from your childhood?

My mom made our costumes every year. Nothing was ever too difficult for her to make and now having my own children, I appreciate it so much more. She made it fun and lots of love went into those costumes.

Meet Kelly's table!

not pictured: Sarah C

Each person was asked this question:
What was the biggest adjustment that you had to make when you became a mom?

KELLY: Planning life around someone else's schedule other than mine, and saying no to things that I would have previously jumped at the opportunity to say yes to.

MENTOR MOM (and Kelly's mom!)- LORI: Everything!! :) The biggest adjustment was not realizing how my heart could grow so much and love another human being that way.

MELANY: Being responsible for another human...the worry, the care and the intense love and connection I have with my babies.

SARAH B: I would say sleep! I used to love to stay up late and sleep in before I had kids.  But now I've traded it for bedtime stories and saying prayers at night which is well worth it!

WENDY: No more sleeping in! I didn't realize how much I put my needs above the needs of others, and having a child really showed me that. 

JULIE: Realizing that suddenly I couldn't go anywhere without taking this child with me!

STACY: Having only 5 minutes to get ready, smelling like spit up, and having constant conversation.

SARAH M

SARAH C: The biggest adjustment has been learning to happily adjust the family's schedule with each new kid.

Thanks for sharing your table with us, Kelly!

Pumpkin Pie Squares by Kelly

Crust: 
1 pkg. yellow cake mix
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 egg

Filling:
2 eggs
1 can pumpkin
3/4 cup sugar
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Topping: 
1 cup reserved cake mix

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 cup butter

Grease 9x13 inch pan.  Empty cake mix into bowl and measure out 1 cup and put aside.  Add melted butter and beaten egg to cake mix in bowl.  Press into pan.

Prepare filling by beating 2 eggs, add milk and remaining ingredients and pour over crust.

Prepare topping by cutting together the ingredients, then sprinkle over filling.

Bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes or until knife inserted comes out clean.

Meet Joy's table!

Here's Joy then and now!

Joy is in 2/4 MOPS and this is her first year as a DGL. She and her husband have 2 kids.

Do you have a favorite fall tradition or memory from your childhood?

In the fall, my mom would make the best cheese broccoli soup and chili. I think that is why I crave making soups even the first cool day of fall!

Meet her table!

not pictured: Shanna 

Each person was asked this question:

What is one thing you do to make your life easier? 

JOY: Set out clothes the night before.

MENTOR MOM-KAREN: Using the crockpot in the winter...dinner in a flash! :)

ERIN: I plan out my meals for the entire week. Including breakfast & lunch. Makes it so much easier for me to make and go grocery shopping. I know I have everything & can make it. I don't make it "Monday is meatloaf"....I just make a list of 7 dishes and make them. :)

DAWN: I use a Swiffer Vac for hard floors.

MELISSA: Plan-don't procrastinate.  "Fail to plan...plan to fail."

DEANNA: Use a grocery list and Menu Plan

SHANNA: I keep toothbrushes/toothpaste downstairs as well as upstairs.  It helps in the morning when they go up to their rooms to brush and they never come back down! :)

SARAH: I use my crockpot. 





Did you know that the secret to cutting brownies is to use a plastic knife?  It glides right through without leaving it all crumbly!


Thanks for sharing your table with us, Joy!

Whole Roasted Chicken by Joy 

1/4 melted butter, coconut oil, bacon grease, or duck fat

1 whole chicken

1 onion, cut into large chunks

4-6 cloves of garlic, smashed

1 orange or lemon cut into 6 pieces

2-4 large carrots, cut into large chunks

1 Tbs Herb Salt Blend

Black Pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Brush the bottom of a large roasting pan with some of the melted butter.

Remove any gizzards or organs from the inside of the chicken.  Stuff the chicken with the onions, garlic, and some of the citrus.  Place the carrots around the chicken in the roasting pan.  Brush the chicken with melted butter, and sprinkle it with the Herb Salt Blend and the black pepper.

Roast until the chicken reaches 165° F when a thermometer is placed between the leg and breast.

Cooking time depends on the size of the bird but is approximately 20 minutes per pound.  

Meet Polly's table!

Here's Polly then and now!

Polly is in 2/4 MOPS and this is her first year as a DGL. She and her husband have four kids, ages 10, 8, 6 and 4.  

Meet her table!

not pictured: Sarah

Each person was asked this question:
If you had an hour to relax at home (assuming that all of your kids were sleeping or gone), what would you do?

POLLY: Take a bath and read a book. 

MENTOR MOM-KATHY: Quilt.  Have someone come to my house for a pedi/mani.

ANITA: Enjoy being in the house alone.

ELIZABETH: Watch TV-Duck Dynasty or Parenthood.

MICHELLE: Play my keyboard or listen to music.

AMY: Read a book or browse Pinterest in my comfy chair with music on. 

KRISTIN: Right now, with having a newborn, I would take a nap :)

SARAH: Right now, I would probably take a nap! (also the mom of a newborn!)

Thanks for sharing your table with us, Polly!

Upcoming Events!

We hope you can join us for the Play Date on October 10th and the Night OWL on October 25th!