Hopping into Health - This Weekend!

Come out to Hopping into Health - the Junior Auxiliary of McMinnville FREE Easter egg hunt - this Saturday, March 27th behind Hickory Creek Elementary at 1pm!

Thousands of eggs!

Prizes!

Snacks!

The Easter Bunny will be there too! So parents be sure to bring your cameras and/or camera phones for free picture opportunities!

Pageant Applications are available!

Applications are available for two Junior Auxiliary pageants to be held on Saturday, May 22, 2010. They can be picked up at Ashley's Attic, Kathy's of McMinnville, Memories Bridal Boutique , Merle Norman Facial Spa and Tan 4 U.

We will soon have a downloadable version of the application available right here on the blog and, of course, you can call 931-607-6599 or email jamcminnville@yahoo.com to get one.

The pageants are open to girls in Warren County, Cannon, Coffee, DeKalb, Grundy, Sequatchie, Van Buren and White Counties. Contact pageant chair Ashley Wright at the above number or email for more information.

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Junior Miss is open to girls who will be 14, 15 or 16 years old on May 22, 2010.

Junior Auxiliary Princess is open to girls who will be 11, 12 or 13 years old on May 22, 2010.

2009 Junior Miss - Caroline Carter

2009 Junior Auxiliary Princess - Leslie Moulton

All proceeds from these pageants go to support Junior Auxiliary of McMinnville's service projects.

Easy Beef Stew Recipes

Several members have been asked to make beef stew for the upcoming Wings Ministry Family Fun Event. Having never made beef stew, I immediately started looking for easy, yummy recipes for the dish. I found a couple that sounded really good and I thought I'd share.

Amazing Beef Stew

From the cookbook: Daymaker Countertop Inspirations - Simple Slow Cooker Meals

You will need:

• 2 cups chopped carrots
• 3 cups chopped raw potatoes
• 2 small apples, chopped
• 2 pounds beef stew beef, cut into pieces
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme
• 2 tablespoons minced onion
• 2 cups apple cider
• 1 to 2 tablespoons flour

Directions:

1. Place vegetables and apples in slow cooker.
2. Add meat and sprinkle with salt, thyme and onion.
3. Add cider.
4. Cook on low heat 10 to 12 hours.
5. Thicken with flour during last hour of cooking.

(Remember, a slow cooker works best when it is two-thirds full. More food may lead to an undercooked meal and less food may lead to an overcooked meal.)

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Old-Time Beef Stew

From Paula Deen via the Food Network web site

You will need:

2 pounds stew beef

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 cups water

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 clove garlic, peeled

1 or 2 bay leaves

1 medium onion, sliced

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon paprika

Dash ground allspice or ground cloves

3 large carrots, sliced

3 ribs celery, chopped

2 tablespoons cornstarch

Directions:

1. Brown meat in hot oil.
2. Add water, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, bay leaves, onion, salt, sugar, pepper, paprika, and allspice.
3. Cover and simmer 1 1/2 hours.
4. Remove bay leaves and garlic clove.
5. Add carrots and celery.
6. Cover and cook 30 to 40 minutes longer.
7. To thicken gravy, remove 2 cups hot liquid.
8. Using a separate bowl, combine 1/4 cup water and cornstarch until smooth.
9. Mix with a little hot liquid and return mixture to pot.
10. Stir and cook until bubbly.

Happy cooking everyone!

A few pics from the Crown Jewels Art Gala

The inaugural Crown Jewels Art Gala seemed to be a great success. The food was great, the band was entertaining, the kids' art work was inspiring and a good time was had by all.

Here are just a few pictures from the evening.

Crown Jewels Art Gala

The Crown Jewels Art Gala is this weekend!

Saturday, February 27th - 7pm - McMinnville Country Club

Attendees will enjoy...

heavy hors d'oeuvres,

live music from local band Bootleg,

a silent auction featuring a variety of gift baskets

and art work by Warren County children.

If you haven't bought your tickets yet, though, don't worry...we'll be selling them through Saturday night at the door!

Don't miss this event. All proceeds will go to support the many service projects of Junior Auxiliary of McMinnville.

Hopping Into Health

Saturday, March 27, 2010

1pm

Hickory Creek Elementary

Come one, come all to this free event that focuses on encouraging kids to have healthy habits!

FOR MEMBERS:

Every $5.00 spent on Easter egg fillers = 1 service hour

Water and healthy snacks (goldfish® crackers & Go-Gurt® are recommended) to serve the kids at the egg hunt are currently being collected. Please bring them to the February or March meeting.

1 snack or water = 1 service hour

On March 27th, JA members arrive at 11a.m. to help spread out the eggs and set up.

Contact chair Jessica Higgins for more information.

XOXOXO

Happy Valentine's Day

from Junior Auxiliary of McMinnville!