CentralFoothillsMommies

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Wed, 30 May 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Caption me..............

Only a few days left to vote and enter the iPad drawing

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Wed, 30 May 2012 04:39:00 +0000

Win an iPad!! All you have to do is vote for a nonprofit at https://www.facebook.com/questions/280273618735527/

Vote Mommies Network, We're soaring high with your help. Vote #4Good and boost #mommiesnetwork http://www.facebook.com/eleventygroup

Time is running out to vote for your favorite non-profit, The Mommies Network, in Eleventy Marketing Group's Eleventy Group's 4Good contest The winner will receive a free ONCORE marketing package to maximize fundraising- freeing up our volunteers to focus on our mission of providing a safe, secure, FREE place for mothers to find support and encouragement from other mothers and to empowering them to be better women, parents and community leaders. Fundraising not only provides technology upgrades to our expanding network, but it also goes to support all our Chapters and the "moms on the ground."

So join our facebook event to vote and share. Get those votes in by May 31st 11:59 p.m. EST and help us spread our wings!

I will remember you a Memorial Day tribute~

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Mon, 28 May 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Thank you to all who serve!!

Peanut Butter Lovers Feast your eyes!

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Thu, 24 May 2012 23:11:00 +0000

Peanut Butter Cheese Ball

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature 1 cup powdered sugar 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter (not all-natural) 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar 3/4 cup milk chocolate chips 3/4 cup peanut butter chips Graham cracker sticks, teddy grahams, and/or apple slices for dipping

Directions: Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, peanut butter and brown sugar in large mixer bowl until blended.

Peanut butter and Jelly Bars:

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 3/4 cups (11.5-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Milk Chocolate Morsels

3/4 cup coarsely chopped peanuts

1/2 cup jelly or jam

Directions

PREHEAT oven to 350° F.

COMBINE flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking soda and salt in small bowl.

BEAT butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar and peanut butter in large mixer bowl until creamy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Press 3/4 dough into ungreased 13 x 9-inch baking pan.

BAKE for 15 minutes; remove from oven. Dollop jelly by heaping teaspoon over partially baked dough. Let stand for 1 minute; spread to cover. Dollop remaining dough by heaping teaspoon over jelly.

BAKE for an additional 20 to 25 minutes or until edges are set. Cool in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars.

Peanut Butter Treasure Cheesecake Pie

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup (about 45) finely ground chocolate wafer cookies

1/3 cup butter, melted

2 pkgs. (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened

1 can (14 oz.) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Sweetened Condensed Milk

3 large eggs

6 oz. NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Baking Bar, melted and cooled

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 pkg. (12 oz.) bite-size peanut butter-filled chocolates, coarsely chopped

1 tablespoon NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Baking Cocoa, (optional)

Directions

PREHEAT oven to 325° F. Grease 9-inch springform pan.

FOR CRUST:
COMBINE cookie crumbs and butter in medium bowl. Press onto bottom and 1 inch up side of prepared pan.

FOR CHEESECAKE:
BEAT cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk in large mixer bowl until smooth. Beat in eggs, melted chocolate and vanilla extract. Stir in bite-size chocolates; pour into prepared crust.

BAKE for 55 to 65 minutes or until edges are set but center still moves slightly. Remove from oven; cool completely in pan on wire rack. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Remove side of pan; sprinkle with cocoa before serving.

Recipes adapted from "Nestle and from the Meals.com Nestle's Kitchen
Follow CFM on Pinterest for more yummy recipes

Soar High 4Good with The Mommies Network

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Fri, 18 May 2012 12:00:00 +0000

The Mommies Network is a finalist non-profit in Eleventy Group's 4Good contest. With a simple click to vote and another to share, you can help boost TMN's fundraising power. Better fundraising means technology upgrades, an expanding network, and more time for our volunteers to focus on what they do best: make mom-to-mom connections everyday.

Join us and vote here https://www.facebook.com/questions/280273618735527/

Share this event with ALL your facebook friends and on your chapters, please spread the word that will help us spread our wings. Voting costs nothing but a minute of your time.

Help us Soar Higher and do more 4Good for you! Vote now! and tell every you know!
We need your help!
From everyone at The Mommies Network, thanks for your support.

7 Must-Have Items for Every Parent

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Thu, 17 May 2012 11:30:00 +0000

Author: Ashley Herman

You know those books and reports that come out every year telling you how to save money and get the best gear for your baby and kids? Well, because I love you all so much, I'm going to share with you — totally free — my list of must-have Items for every parent. You can thank me in chocolate.
1. A baby: You have several options here. There's the old-fashioned fun way, of course. You can modify that way with charts and thermometers and mucus logs, though those seem less fun. You can turn to medical professionals for help, unless your OB looks like Abe Vigoda, in which case it’s best to have him (or her) just do the injections, in vitro, and/or surrogate stuff. There’s also adoption, both open and closed, local or import. Last resort is kidnapping, but I really don’t condone that method. What’s really important is that you find the best way for you and your family to get a baby added to the tree.
2. A way to feed the baby: You can breastfeed or give formula, or both. I am not here to dictate what you do with your body or your child. There are plenty of other places in the Googleverse to learn about the pros and cons of both. But no matter what you choose, you are very likely going to need a bottle at some point. Do those handblown-glass "most like the breast" bottles seem like the only reasonable choice? Like the ease of the bottles with the baggies? Have a bumblebee theme going on and only want the bottles that coordinate with your crib bedding, travel system, diaper bag, and wardrobe? Your baby is going to refuse whatever nipples fit the bottle you have chosen. Your child will refuse it with such a tiny fury and will insist on drinking only from Waterford Crystal champagne flutes. As hard as it is, resist the urge to buy. Borrow from a trusted friend until you can figure out what your baby's preference is. Use the money you saved here on more important stuff, like bail or fine crystal.
3. A place for baby to sleep: If you buy that heirloom-quality lifetime bed, your baby will want to sleep in a dresser drawer. Choose to co-sleep, and your little one will only sleep in gravity boots, vampire style. Bassinet for every floor of your house? Your baby will have reflux and only sleep upright in a carrier of some sort. So go ahead and splurge here if you have some cash on hand or a really pushy interior decorator. Otherwise, buy on the budget end, and keep a drawer empty, just in case.
4. Something to catch excretions: Babies ooze from all over the place. You’re going to need a good stock of burp cloths, bibs, and hankies, even though you will most often just use your shirt, because who wants to do more laundry? And after your 40th diaper blowout, you'll spend those insomniac moments trolling the Internet for help with elimination communication. I mean, if women in China can toilet train their infants, why can't you? Well go ahead, if that's your thing, but I find 3 a.m. is not usually a good time for making important decisions.
5. A means to transport baby: Unless you rely solely on public transportation or never, ever leave your home, you'll need a car seat. I personally don't like the baby bucket–type things because I’m too lazy to tote one of those around. And I'm too cheap to buy two car seats when one will work. But I sure would like to have one to snap into the grocery cart or high chair next time I venture into public. The nice thing about baby-wearing is that I can keep strangers' hands off my baby, even if I have to hear, "They didn’t have those in my day," a million times a week. So here you have to decide how important extras like air bags and cup holders are for you. I bet if you ask Dr. Google, she'll even point you toward some useful sites that help you choose seats that fit your car make and model best, but you have to say, "Please."
6. Flexibility: If you haven't guessed by now, babies can be pretty unpredictable. I'm fairly sure Murphy had a special subsection of that pesky law dedicated just to people under 4 feet tall. They are their own little humans with their own little preferences. No matter how much you really, really, really want them to love all the things that you love, sometimes they just don't. And you just can't rationalize with a newborn. Trust me, I've tried. Surprisingly, a person that fits into your hand has incredible willpower that can cut through all your determination. At some point, you will find yourself staunchly defending opposing sides of an argument that takes place entirely in your head, but you are convinced is also some sort of psychic communique from your preverbal infant. It's OK to surrender a little.
7. A sense of humor: This one's free but quite possibly the most important child-rearing tool in your arsenal. Sometimes it's all you've got. And if it fails, at least you’ve saved all this extra money to pay for therapy. Or wine.

Author: Ashley (00tedsgirl) from TriadMommies.com Original Post Location and Date: http://triadmommies.blogspot.com/2011/1

Happy Mothers Day!!

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Sun, 13 May 2012 19:39:00 +0000

Happy Mothers Day Join us online today for some fun chats about mommy life and check out the calendar for other Events coming up.

May's Bomb Mom of the Month!

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Sat, 12 May 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Thank you Abby for all you do for CFM!

Congratulations!

from The Leadership Team

Sending love to our fellow sisters...

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Thu, 10 May 2012 04:57:00 +0000

Our sister chapter, LakeNormanMommies lost a beloved member of their community Sunday evening unexpectedly. Lara Baum (lara265) was a jewel that was cherished among her friends and family. The TMN sisters of CentralfoothillsMommies wanted to send a blog note of love to our fellow sisters of LakeNormanMommies and reach out to give you a huge virtual hug from all of us here.

Many of our mommies have inquired as to how they can best support Lara's family during this difficult time.
Sadly, Lara's family can not afford to pay for her cremation. The hospital will cremate her for free, but will not return the ashes to the family. We are hoping to collect enough contributions from our friends and family to cover the cost of cremation so that Lara can go home with her family. The cost is approximately $1500. If you'd like to contribute, and I hope you will, you can PayPal a donation to Timara Trenkamp Bolding at timara.bolding@adelphia.net or mail or drop off a check to either of us. If we receive more in donations than the cost of the cremation, we'll put the remaining funds into a savings bond for her two young children.

I ask that if you have even a dollar that you can donate, please do it. Donations will not be tax deductible, but will be greatly appreciated by many.

Mothers Day flowers are growing

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Fri, 04 May 2012 06:17:00 +0000

Mothers Day Flowers of Love

are being passed

from one mom to another mom

on Centralfoothillsmommies

Mom it Forward today!

Make another mom's day by sharing these pretty flowers

with another mom you know

share a smile today, its contagious!

Join us today

Free community for moms

in Alexander, Burke, Caldwell and Catawba counties of North Carolina

Part of The Mommies Network

Living Life...

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:00:00 +0000

One Moment at at Time

A Greener Clean to Celebrate Earth Day 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 11:30:00 +0000

Celebrate Earth Day with a Greener Clean!

From A BigGreenPurse.com

Greener Cleaner Recipes
Ingredients list:
tap water                      sponge
baking soda                   squeegee
distilled white vinegar    spray bottle
plant-based liquid soap

Tub and sink cleaner: Baking soda, liquid soap, water
Sprinkle water on the sink and tub surfaces, followed by a generous shake of baking soda. Scrub with sponge or bristle brush. Add a little of the liquid soap to the sponge for more cleaning power. Rinse well.

Window and mirror cleaner: White vinegar, water Put 1/4 cup of white vinegar in a spray bottle and fill with water. Spray on the glass surface. Rub dry with a lint-free cloth (don't use newspapers – they streak). Wash outdoor windows with warm water, vinegar and a few drops of liquid soap if windows are particularly grimy. Use a squeegee to dry. If you don't like the vinegar smell, add a touch of lemon juice.

Toilet bowl cleaner: Baking soda, liquid soap
Sprinkle baking soda inside the bowl. Add a couple drops of liquid soap. Scrub with a toilet bowl brush. Wipe outside surfaces with a wet sponge sprinkled with baking soda. Pour ½ cup vinegar into the bowl and let it sit to remove most lime scale.

All purpose cleaner for spots on woodwork, tile and linoleum: Liquid soap
Add a few drops of liquid soap to a wet sponge; rub surface briskly.

Oven cleaner: Baking soda, water
Make a paste from baking soda and water. Apply to oven surfaces; let stand for five-ten minutes. Use a scouring pad or knife to remove loosened grime.

Drain cleaner: Baking soda, white vinegar, boiling water
Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain first, then 1/2 cup vinegar. Cover the drain until the fizzing stops, then flush with boiling water. Repeat if needed. If the clog is stubborn, use a plunger. If very stubborn, use a mechanical snake. Never pour liquid grease down a drain. Always use a drain sieve to capture food, hair, and other materials that could clog the pipe.

Copper cleaner: White vinegar, water, salt
Mix equal parts of vinegar and salt and apply to the surface with a sponge. Rinse thoroughly with water, then dry.

Silver polish: Salt, soda, aluminum foil/toothpaste
To remove tarnish from silverware, line a large pan with aluminum foil. Add water to cover the silver, plus 1 tablespoon salt and 1 tablespoon baking soda. Let the mixture rest for at least an hour. The tarnish will transfer to the aluminum foil. Rinse the silver in hot water and dry. You can also use toothpaste to polish individual pieces of silver.

Air fresheners: Locate the source of the objectionable smell and remove it, then open the window, or use an exhaust fan to clear out musty air. Simmer a small amount of cinnamon, orange peel, and cloves on the stove or in a small ceramic saucer over a candle to give your home a pleasant fragrance. Fresh cut flowers will also pleasantly scent your home. Indoor plants absorb volatile organic chemicals. An open box of baking soda will help absorb odors in the refrigerator; sprinkling baking soda in the garbage can or diaper pail will do the same.

Many more ideas and recipes can also be found here The world women want

Have a very clean and green Earth Day mommies!!

Event: Earth day park fun

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Monday April 23rd

information listed on our calendar

A family friendly event

Bring a snack: something "green, organic or just healthy" to share

Enjoy fellowship and fun with your CFM moms and kiddos

We are making a fun recycled craft to take home.

email leslie@centralfoothillsmommies.com

if you need directions or have questions

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Caption this- Wordless Wednesday

Crafty Momma's Bee-Day Birthday Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:30:00 +0000

A buzzing bee-day (birthday) is only one of the cutest projects that crafty mom Ashley Taylor has created for her little girls' birthday parties.
Starting months ahead she creates adorable "lemonade stands" that are color coordinated with the "Happy Birthday" banners, party favors, flowers for the tables, and other decorations.

What a cute little bumblebee!

Making the cute flower buckets using silk store bought flowers, glitter, glue , simple metal buckets and some matching ribbon

Birthday Banner "Bee Day"

A birthday would not bee complete without a cute themed cake

The Birthday Bee is so cute!!

See more of Ashley's cute crafts and ideas on her new blog here

Crazy Flipping Craft Mom

Happy Birthday O' Cup!

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 07:20:00 +0000

Happy First Birthday 4/13/12 O'Cup Bean & Bakery!

Situated on Main Street in downtown Claremont, North Carolina is O' Cup Bean & Bakery. A CentralfoothillsMommies favorite spot, O' Cup just celebrated one year of making customers happy with a menu of delicious favorites.
From gourmet coffee's to homemade lunch specials, bakery treats and ice cream.
So if you are needing that early morning latte' and muffin on the way to work or lunch with friends to chat over some of the best chicken salad for miles around, O' Cup is the spot. A cute little corner just for the kids available with books and coloring fun. There is a meeting room perfect for your business needs.
They also offer catering for your business or meeting, chicken salad, egg salad, turkey/bacon club & roast beef n' cheddar. Your choice of wrap, croissant, white or wheat bread.
Ground or whole bean coffee now offered also, sold at 8.99/lb in a variety of popular flavors.

Some of the treats you might see at O'Cup

Lemonade cupcake

Peanut-butter cup cupcake (coffee to match)

Hersey's Chocolate (so yummy)

Peach smoothie cupcake

Cream of broccoli soup in a bread bowl (my lunch with my "White Moose Latte')

Join CentralfoothillsMommies every Tuesday at 11am for our weekly coffee meetup, bring your laptop (free wifi available via the City of Claremont), coupons to clip or just bring yourself for some well deserved "me" time.

Help us support one of our local mom owned business's, visit O'cup on facebook -

click the coffee cup

Follow O'Cup on Twitter

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Wordless Wednesday~~ Caption me--

You Belong @ your Library, lets go now!

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 11:07:00 +0000

About National Library Week

April 8-14, 2012

National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians and to promote library use.
Connect with your kids @ your library
Check out our Family Activity Guide for ideas on how you can spend quality family time at your library.
Spending quality time with our kids and teens is critical to their growth and development—and it fosters strong bonds and relationships. But, in our fast-paced lives, finding opportunities for quality time together can be a daily challenge.
Visit your local library this week and find out just what you might be missing!

Top Ten List of Frequently Challenged Books - released in State of America’s Library Report (Monday, April 9)
National Library Workers Day (Tuesday, April 10)
National Bookmobile Day (Wednesday, April 11)
Support Teen Literature Day (Thursday, April 12)

Easter blessings on this Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 08:50:00 +0000

Easter means many different things to many people, whatever your thoughts maybe today, enjoy the day with your family and friends. Reflect on the beauty of the day and the season.

Happy Easter from Centralfoothillsmommies!

Just Chilling the day away...

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:34:00 +0000

Wordless Wednesday what do you think is on her mind?

Pizza Pops, perfect bite sized fun

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:30:00 +0000

What do you need:
one roll of refrigerated pizza dough (not thin crust)
lollipop sticks,
2 1/2 inch circle cookie cutter
your fave toppings
parchment paper

We used tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil, arugula, goat cheese, ricotta cheese, cherry tomatoes, and fresh spinach, sky is the limit with your favorite pizza toppings here.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Unroll pizza dough on a floured surface. Cut out 2 1/2 inch circles.
Insert lollipop stick about half way into the circle and place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Add a teaspoon of sauce and small amounts of your toppings.
Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until crust and toppings begin to brown.

Serve to your family for a WOW mom treat, great for mini appetizers for a get together at your house, have your guest make their own and bake.

Enjoy!!

Your Family Ticket to join us

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Celebrate with us

as we turn 6 years old

CentralfoothillsMommies

here for support, friendship, sharing daily

the journey of motherhood.

Living and giving back in our own

communities!

Crockpot Mac and Cheese Night

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese

Recipe type: Main
Author: Sara @ Budget Savvy Diva
Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time: 2 hours 30 mins
Total time: 2 hours 45 mins
Serves: 5

Heavenly Mac N’ Cheese
Ingredients

    2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
    4 tablespoons butter
    2 ½ cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
    1 egg
    ½ cup sour cream
    1 (10 ¾ ounce) can condensed cheddar cheese soup
    1 cup 2% milk
    ½ teaspoon yellow mustard
    1 teaspoon black pepper
    1/2 Teaspoon of Onion Powder
    1/2 Teaspoon of Garlic Powder
    pinch of nutmeg
    pinch of Cayenne

Instructions

    Cook pasta for 6 minutes ( Drain pasta)
    In a medium saucepan melt and mix butter and cheese together.
    In your crock pot mix all ingredients
    Cook on low for 2 1/2 hours, stirring hourly.
    Garnish is cheese ( if desired)

This smells so good cooking, I think I will make another pot today :)

Crockpot week~ Rocky Road Cake in the crock pot

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 11:30:00 +0000

Ready for Desert? you know you are!

Rocky Road Crock Pot Cake
You Need:
1 (18.25-oz.) package German chocolate cake mix*
1 (3.9-oz.) package chocolate cooked pudding mix*
(actually worked better with instant vanilla pudding mix )
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup sour cream
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 1/4 cups milk, divided
1 (3.4-oz.) package chocolate cook-and-serve pudding mix (i used vanilla)*
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional- i didn't use)
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels
Vanilla ice cream (optional)

Directions:

1. Beat cake mix, next 5 ingredients, and 1 1/4 cups milk at medium speed with an electric mixer (used my Kitchen Aid) 2 minutes, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. Pour batter into a lightly greased 4-qt. slow cooker.
2. Cook remaining 2 cups milk in a heavy nonaluminum saucepan over medium heat, stirring often, 3 to 5 minutes or just until bubbles appear (do not boil); remove from heat.
3. *Sprinkle cook-and-serve pudding mix over batter. Slowly pour hot milk over pudding. Cover and cook on LOW 3 1/2 hours.
4. (optional if using pecans) Meanwhile, heat pecans in a small nonstick skillet over medium-low heat, stirring often, 3 to 5 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant.
5. Turn off slow cooker. Sprinkle cake with pecans, marshmallows, and chocolate morsels. Let stand 15 minutes or until marshmallows are slightly melted.

Tip-- when I made this myself it worked better if I made the pudding first and spooned it into the crockpot, the first time I had lots of pudding mix clumps.

Top with some Vanilla ice cream and it is so good, your kids will love it!

A great treat for guests or teen sleep overs too.

recipe credit to Bless This Food blog love her site, found her on Pinterest

Last Call Ya'll !! Spring is Here!!

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 23:44:00 +0000

Feed Your Spring Fever!

Spring Has Sprung Here in the South

Who has the fever to plant now!!

The birds are singing and I am so ready to garden

Little feathered friends have returned to nest and raise their young

Last call for flower bulbs! Grow with us at CFM Flower Power site!! Hurry today is the last day! , and be the envy of your neighborhood while supporting CentralFoothillsMommies! Help the environment, our butterflies and birdies will love the colorful display in your yard.

Thank you in advance for your purchase!