Back by popular demand, this semester we'll be interviewing some of our beloved MOPPETS workers so we can get to know them a bit better! First is Mandy - how we cherish her!
NAME: Miranda Brands (I go by Mandy)
MOPPETS Title: Coordinator
HOMETOWN: Denver, CO
CHILDCARE EXPERIENCE: First and foremost, I'm a mom. I have three girls, McKinley, Reagan and Madison. McKinley is a 6 year old first grader who loves animals, ballet and swim. Reagan is 4 year old who likes to color and play with my phone. Madison is our sweet little baby who is just starting to get a personality. Last year, I had the opportunity to work with a few other moms and run a joy school preschool co-op. We were able to purchase a curriculum and trade off weeks teaching our preschoolers in our homes. We are in our second year with our 4 year old kids and plan to do a year of kindergarten readiness next fall. I also work as a moppets teacher at Family in Christ in Westminster in their toddler room as well do full time childcare for a friend's two daughters during the week.
FAVORITE THINGS: Letterboxing is one of my family's favorite hobbies. Its like geocaching without the coordinates. At atlasquest.com, you can search for boxes that have been planted in your area and go hunting. There are clues to find the box on the website. Each box has a rubber stamp that is usually hand carved and we take an imprint of all our finds in our own personal letterboxing journals. Letterboxers have their own personal rubber stamp that they stamp in the log book that remains with the box and then log their finds online. We have found 30 boxes as a family.
FUN FACT: My girls are all named after US Presidents.
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Friday, December 19, 2014
Cranberry Monkey Bread by Amy Lannigan
When I was growing up, we would often have Monkey Bread on Christmas morning. It’s a simple recipe, but it always reminds me of Christmas. I thought I would put a spin on this recipe for you. This makes a lightly spiced glaze that is a little different than the usual!

I like the fact that this can be made the night before and baked first thing in the morning, for an early breakfast.
Cranberry Monkey Bread
Grease a fluted tube pan. Mix sugar and spices together, then add orange juice and mix to form a
paste. Place one third of cranberries in pan, then continue to layer ingredients in pan as follows:
Allow to rise at room temperature overnight. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 min. Turn out onto
plate. (Be careful; these can be messy!) Serve warm.

Copyright CookingWithoutCorn 2014.
Hope this bread brightens your holidays! Amy Lannigan
I like the fact that this can be made the night before and baked first thing in the morning, for an early breakfast.
Cranberry Monkey Bread
- 1 1/2 lbs. frozen dinner roll dough
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 3/4 – 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp. ginger
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
Grease a fluted tube pan. Mix sugar and spices together, then add orange juice and mix to form a
paste. Place one third of cranberries in pan, then continue to layer ingredients in pan as follows:
- Half of frozen rolls
- Half of sugar mixture
- One third of cranberries
- Half of butter
- Repeat layers once more.
Allow to rise at room temperature overnight. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 min. Turn out onto
plate. (Be careful; these can be messy!) Serve warm.
Copyright CookingWithoutCorn 2014.
Hope this bread brightens your holidays! Amy Lannigan
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Cookie Decorating Playdate!
Join us this Tuesday December 16th at 10:00 for our cookie decorating playdate at Kim Mowat's home, Her address is 1131 Petras St, Erie CO. Kids of all ages are welcome, even if they are too little to decorate :)
If your last name begins with A-M, please bring a plate of cookies to decorate. N-Z please bring frosting.
Hope to see everyone there!
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Tuesday, Dec 9: Christmas Brunch!
MEETING TOPIC: Courage To Celebrate With Meaning
WHEN: Tuesday, Dec 9th from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Fellowship Hall at Calvary Bible Church (3245 Kalmia Ave., Boulder, CO 80301)
FOOD will be provided by Jen & Lindsay's tables
Our speaker is John Mullis, the Children's Director at Calvary's Boulder campus. He'll be speaking about how to make Christmas real to our kids. We'll have an extra special brunch as well, and have a really cute Christmas craft - get excited!!
Hope to see you all on Tuesday!
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Random Thoughts From Today's Meeting...
So... there were a lot of fun little tidbits from today I thought I'd post... Loved seeing you all today!
- DIY dry-shampoo (thank you Jen Bishop). Here is a link to the recipe she uses.
- If you'd like to help bless our MOPPETs volunteers with a financial gift, don't forget to paypal Kelly (kelly.nishi@gmail.com)
- LicketySplit App - Great idea from Amy's table to help kids get ready in a timely manner
- JustOneClubCard - Combine all of your reward cards into one!
- MyGroceries App - Grocery shopping app
- If you want to volunteer to help with Operation Christmas Child on Dec 3rd, contact Kelly.
Post any other ideas you found helpful!
Friday, November 14, 2014
Tuesday, Nov 18: Courage to Be Intentional
MEETING TOPIC: Courage To Be Intentional: Time Management
WHEN: Tuesday, Nov 18th from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Fellowship Hall at Calvary Bible Church (3245 Kalmia Ave., Boulder, CO 80301)
FOOD will be provided by Catherine's table (thank you!)
Our speaker for this week is Lori Wurth and the topic is "Tips to Manage Your Life & Home". Lori is a speaker, trainer, coach and has been an adjunct professor at Colorado Christian University for the past 15 years. I think she'll have some really great tips to share with us!
Hope to see you all on Tuesday!
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Mom's Night Out!
Ready for a Mom's Night Out? Hope you can all join us!
WHEN: Saturday November 15th at 6pm
WHERE: Lisa Gaskin's Home (2134 Madison Way, Erie CO 80516)
FOOD: Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share!
Stay warm and hope to see you all on Saturday!
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