Hashbrown Casserole

This yummy, cheesy hash-brown casserole was DELISH at our last meeting.....and looks easy which is a BONUS!

2 lb of hashbrowns (I use the square ones because they're easier to mix)

4 C of cheese (I mix two different kinds of cheeses to make it more fun)

1 can cream of mushroom
1 pint sour cream (I use the one with chives added)
1/2 C butter
Onion flakes to taste

Mix all together and bake for 45 min at 350

How do I use Pinterest?

There has been a lot of talk of "Pinterest" this year and we realized that while some are known addicts users, others may not yet understand how to use it. So, I thought I would provide a tutorial on how to use this amazing  addicting dream-inducing informative website!

First of all, what is pinterest? Taken from their website:

Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes. (you will also be able to find lots of MOPS crafts and recipes, and duplicate them yourself for later use) (italics mine)

Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.

**Gotten you excited yet?

So, how do I sign up?

1. Simply go to www.pinterest.com and request an invite. Invites usually take about 1-2 days before they are delivered to your inbox. You will need a valid email address to sign up.

2. Once you receive your inbox invitation, pinterest will then walk you through exactly what you need to do to get started. It will try to identify your areas of interest....so start thinking about what types of things you enjoy doing. They could be gardening, sewing, MOPS crafts, new recipes, frugal ideas, things that make you laugh, crafts to do with kids, easy, healthy snacks.......the ideas are endless. Once you think about what categories you would like, you will create boards with those category names.

3. You need to now "follow" people. Pinterest takes your areas of interest and matches you up with people (they are very smart like that). You can choose to "un-follow" anyone at any time by simply hitting "un-follow" on their boards. It will also give you a list of people that you may know....ie. people that you are friends with on facebook. **I would advise that you immediately add our craft coordinator to the people that you follow. She has a "MOPS crafts" board with some incredibly good ideas pinned!

4. Once you have your boards (and you can always add more later), you will want to start pinning things onto those boards. You can do that one of two ways. You can go onto the main pinterest site and scroll through all the different people that you follow and you will see lots of cool things listed. The other way to pin is directly from the internet. If you are reading your favorite blog and the blogger puts a great-looking french toast recipe, all you do is "pin it" and it will go to your pinterest board.

*Yes, but how DO I pin? You need to install the "pin it" button and you will find that on the first page of pinterest.com under the tab "goodies." I have linked it HERE. This goes directly to your scroll bar at the top of your page. Once it is installed, you need only to push that button to pin something and it will open up pinterest. You choose your board, and then whala, it is pinned!

I know this seems like a lot of information, especially for new pinterest users. You may even think "yes, but is it worth it?"

In my opinion, it has been a wonderful resource for me. I LOVE having a place to have everything organized. I love going to my folders when I want to find something quickly....to give me ideas on how to make my house a haven and a home.

Can you get carried away? Absolutely. In everything, use BALANCE. That is all you need! It would be a great shame if we spent all our time on a site like this gathering ideas, to the detriment of time with our husbands and children. Do not make your hubby and kids jealous of the computer.

That said, it truly is a wonderful resource that I am sure that you will love for all the ideas and inspirations that it brings. Please message me if you have any problems. For all the good that Pinterest is, it is not extremely user-friendly in the beginning!

T-Shirt Scarf #2 (lnfinity strips)

This scarf tutorial was also on another blog so I am linking it HERE. 

The scarf we completed in MOPS is actually a combination of these 2 scarves. Another way to finish this off, is to take one more strip (from the hem or elsewhere) and wrap it tightly around the very top where all the strips are attached. It does not need to be braided as in the second picture.

1. Make sure and use fabric scissors NOT regular paper scissors, as it will be a much faster process.
2. When you pull the strips, roll them a bit with your fingers to make a "roll"
3. You can also take 3 strands that are already cut and braid the entire length. That braid can then be added to the scarf, creating some interest. Simply overlap the ends before wrapping it and when you wrap it with the long length of fabric, just wrap over the ends to secure it.
4. Try adding some embellishments such as old hair clips, ribbon roses, felt flowers, small beads, or whatever you have on hand. You can even add strips of fabric from another coordinating fabric to add some interest.

Enjoy making this scarf. It should take only about 15 minutes to complete!

Tshirt Scarf #1 (Ruffles, ruffles and more ruffles!)

This will double as a MOPS recap and a tutorial. I have decided to split this tutorial into 4 different post so they are easily accessible for future use.

We had a WONDERFUL, crafty and fun MOPS meeting. Each of us got to make at least 1 (but mostly 2) different scarves, alone with either 1 or 2 felt or ribbon flower embellishments! These 4 crafts are wonderful because they are 1. repurposing or 2. very cheap 3. very chic and 4. great gift ideas!

This first scarf is a ruffle scarf. Instead of reproducing this tutorial, I am simply going to link it HERE.

Here are some additional tips if you choose to make this scarf again for your own personal use, or for some gifts.

1. Use a T-shirt that is fairly plain, or has an all-over pattern. If you have a Tshirt that only has half a usable area, try using a second Tshirt in a similar, or contrasting color to make a unique scarf design!
2. T-shirts can be repurposed from your own closet, your husband's closet, or can be bought VERY cheaply at either a thrift store or a garage sale. Stock up and you will have lots of variety to use for gifts!
3. Use fabric scissors, NOT regular scissors to cut the spirals for this scarf. You will not go crazy this way! This scarf does not allow for much "error" in regards to shredded cutting lines. If you use sharp, fabric scissors, you will be MUCH happier with the result!
4. These scarves can be quite long, so watch some youtube videos on how to tie scarves. There are some adorable ideas!

Fiesta Chile Salsa

This wonderful salsa was entered in our state fair! Such a GREAT way to use up all those green chiles that are in season right now! YUMMY!

Chile Fiesta Salsa

Makes about 2 cups
Start to Finish: 25 minutes

2 New Mexico Hatch green chiles (Big Jim), roasted, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1 pound peaches (2 to 3), peeled, pitted, and chopped coarse
1 pineapple slice, chopped
1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and chopped
1/2 cup of whole sweet kernel corn
1/3 cup fresh lime juice (3 to 4 limes)
1/4 cup pineapple juice
1/4 cup of red onion, chopped
1 jalapeno chile, stemmed, seeded, and chopped
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
Salt and pepper


Mix all of the ingredients together and season with salt and pepper to taste. Wrap in plastic wrap and let rest to blend the flavors, about 10 minutes. Let drain in a mesh strainer before serving.

Speedy Sausage Squares

Here is a twist on a casserole....and we all love the word "speedy!"

Speedy Sausage Squares

1 tube (8 oz) refrigerated crescent rolls
1 lb bulk pork sausage
1/4 c chopped onion
6 eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 c milk
2 T chopped green pepper (I use a lot more :))
1/2 t dried oregano
1/2 t pepper
1/4 t garlic salt
1 c shredded mozzarella cheese (I also use more :))

Unroll crescent dough into a greased 9x13 baking dish; seal seams and perforations.  Bake at 375 degrees for 6 minutes or until golden brown.  Meanwhile, in a skillet, cook sausage and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.  In a bowl, combine the eggs, milk, green pepper, oregano, pepper, and garlic salt; pour over crust.  Sprinkle with sausage mixture.  Bake for 15-20 minutes.  Sprinkle with cheese; bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.    

SNICKERS- apple salad!

Now THIS will satisfy your sweet tooth! This recipe was brought to MOPS by one of our moms on Thursday and I did not get a chance to try it....but reading the ingredients, I wish that I had. Looks so delicious and I heard some rave reviews. This is one even the kiddos will be sure to love!

Snicker-Apple Salad

8 oz cream cheese
8 oz Cool Whip
5-6 Granny Smith apples
1 bag Snicker miniature candy bars

Mix cream cheese and Cool Whip.  Cut apples in bite size pieces, leave peel on, and add to cream cheese mixture.  Cut Snickers in half and add to mixture.