1.29.2011

Steering Meeting Minutes 1/27/11

Members present: Jennifer Olson, Emily Shepherd, Christy Lickei, Bridget Leiseth, Jen Olson, Angela Syhre, Dorothy Bassingthwaite, Teresa Carlson, Malissa Van Vleet

Jen Olson present a devotional reading from the book "Diamonds in the Dust" by Joni Eareckson Tada regarding the changing of seasons. All members participated in an opening prayer.

I. Upcoming Meetings
A. February 3rd - The Five Love Languages of Children
B. February 17th - Slumber Party - We discussed activities for the slumber parties. Jen presented an idea for "speed friending" similar to speed dating. Nail painting was popular last year so that will be an option. Also, Christy will be bringing the board project back for people to finish.
C. March 3rd - Jen Olson arranged a tour of Lake Area. There will be no brunch served. We need to be vigilant about being on time.
D. Family Fun Day - We discussed different options for the child's activity day. The Auditorium got to be long in the last part of the day. The kids became restless and there were not many activities for younger kids to do upstairs. If we do decide to have it at the Auditorium, we will shorten the time frame. Jen will look into different options, including swimming at the Holiday Inn.
E. We discussed different topics for future meetings including exploring nature, WOW panel, and having another bake sale to pad the finances.

Mom's Night Out

Teresa Carslon has been kind enough to host a Mom's Night Out in her home. Friday, February 4th at 6:30 come and visit, enjoy yummy food and maybe play a game or two. You are asked to bring an appetizer/snack to share and if there is a game you have fun playing, you can bring that also.

We hope to see you there! This is a great opportunity to just relax and laugh with the MOPS members in a different setting.

Directions to Teresa's home:

Option 1 - Go North on Hwy 81 to the big old house (26th St) and take a right. Go East all the way across the Interstate. Teresa is the 3rd house on the left - yellow, 2-story.
Option 2 - Take interstate North to exit 180. Exit right and go the the third house on the left.

1.11.2011

January Meetings Recap 1/6/11 and 1/20/11

1/6/11 Cake Decorating with Jennifer Dingsor

Jennifer Dingsor came to share her experiences with us regarding starting her own cake decorating business in her home. She started watching her aunt make cakes when she was young and she enjoyed it. One year her young boys wanted a Curious George cake for their birthday and she decided to try to make it on her own. After she was successful with that cake, she started to make cakes for friends and trying new ideas.
She makes her cakes usually on Fridays, preparing for weekend parties. It takes her about 4 hours to complete the cake. She does research on the internet regarding the design.
Here are some of the tips and tricks of the trade she shared:
-Greasing your pan with shortening and dusting with flour is the best way she has found to get the cake out of the pan in one piece.
-If you are going to try and shape a cake by carving, she puts it in the freezer for a few hours to help it harden and hold it's shape.
-Carve the dome created when baking off of the top of the cake for a clean look.
-After you've frosted your cake, let it sit 5-10 minutes, then smooth it with a paper towel.
-If you want to copy a picture onto a cake, Jennifer makes a copy on paper. She then puts wax paper over the design and traces the design onto the wax paper with colored food gel. She takes the wax paper and places it gel side down on top of the frosted cake and then fills the design in with frosting.
-Jennifer uses tips, bags and couplers for her frosting. You can buy these at Walmart, Hobby Lobby, Klein's and also online. She makes a fondant recipe she found online. It uses marshmallows for a better flavor. You can find it online.
Her buttercream frosting recipe:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature (not melted)
1/2 cup Crisco
2 tsp. vanilla
Cream the above together.
1 bag powdered sugar
Enough milk to get the right consistency (2-4 tbsp.)

Jennifer demonstrated making shells, rosettes and stars with the cake tips. She also showed how she makes shapes by rolling out fondant and cutting it with small cookie cutters to add to a cake.

1/20/11 Craft Day with Christy

Christy presented a craft for hanging children's artwork. We painted boards and picked between several different sayings to paint on the board. Small safety pins were hot glued to the board to place art work. Some people were unable to finish. Christy will be bringing the supplies back to the February 17th meeting for the people who were absent or who didn't finish.