Woodworkers Cook! Chicken Broccoli Casserole: A Household Tradition

This has nothing to do with woodworking and everything to do with food!!  WHOOHOO!!  My mom taught us how to make this when my sister and I were learning to cook.  Check out the video below where Grace helps me make this household favorite! 



CHICKEN BROCCOLI CASSEROLE

1 bag of frozen or fresh broccoli
1 large can of chicken or shredded roasted chicken
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup of light mayo
Juice from fresh squeezed lemon
8 oz bag of shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon melted butter
1/2 cup of breadcrumbs

Preheat oven to 375. Microwave broccoli (or steam it on the stove), drain liquid.  Using an 9 x 13 inch baking dish, distribute broccoli evenly on the bottom of the dish. Now layer canned chicken on top.  Then mix cream of chicken soup, light mayo, and lemon juice in a bowl.  Pour the mixture on top of the layer of chicken.  Now, sprinkle enough cheddar cheese to lightly cover the entire dish.  Mix melted butter and breadcrumbs in a separate bowl and then lightly sprinkle the mixture on top of the cheese.  Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until casserole is warm, cheese is melted, and breadcrumbs are toasted.

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Get more KIN PARENTS tips & advice: http://bit.ly/KinParents

MOMtrepreneur, Kiersten Hathcock of http://www.ModMomFurniture.com shares the first recipe she ever learned to cook as a girl -- and how it developed into a sweet a family tradition. A nostalgic and simple to assemble casserole her family loves and yours may too!

Learn more about Kiersten Hathcock and Mod Mom Furniture at these links:

http://www.modmomfurniture.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/modmomfurniture
Twitter: https://twitter.com/modmomkiersten
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/modmomfurniture

Kin Community and Mod Mom Present: How To Build A Step Stool

Many thanks to the team at Kin Community for another great video production!

Check out Grace helping me teach how to build a step stool!
Get more KIN PARENTS tips & advice: http://bit.ly/KinParents

Put on your safety glasses and venture into the amazing world of woodworking! MOMtrepreneur, Kiersten Hathcock of ModMomFurniture.com offers an easy to follow tutorial on how to create your own step stool. She shares clever ways for your kids to participate in the project and create a simple piece of furniture that will grow with them.

STEP STOOL Materials List:

Baltic Birch Plywood - 1/2 inch thick
Cut List:
(1) 13in wide x 11 in tall
(2) 11in wide x 10 in tall
(1) 12 in wide x 4 in tall

Miller Dowels and drill bit
Wood Glue
Sand paper

Life Path

This is the path I would walk in the morning with Scott while staying at his parent's house in Flagstaff.   It's the most beautiful scene.  Funny how I've always said I'm a mountain girl because walking these trails made me realize I really am.  There's something so calming about walking through the woods.

Or maybe it's because I'm a wood geek in general.

While walking, I had time to think about all of ups and downs of life and how much I've learned in such a short period of time.  Nothing an MBA could produce but more along the lines of life in general.  And people. 

I've been in a few situations lately where I've had to trust my intuition about folks I know in my work life and my personal life.  I know I've been talking about intuition quite a bit but it's really the most amazing gift, if you use it. I used to always give people the benefit of the doubt way too much and just squash those "ewwww" feelings.  Mostly because I was a people pleaser. Now, I trust my first instinct about people and nine times out of ten, it turns out to be spot on.  It's really invaluable in all areas of my life and I highly recommend paying attention to those feelings right off the bat.

So as I'm walking down this part of my life path, I find the most valuable tool in the old tool box has nothing to do with the mechanics of running a business.  And has everything to do with knowing myself and trusting my gut feelings.  

Kin Community Momtreprenuer Video Segment

Major thanks to the entire Kin Community staff for making inviting me to be a part of several video segments! 

First one is called "Momtreprenuer" where I share my story and some tips for other momtreprenuers out there building their businesses.

I'll be sure to share the upcoming segments which include how to videos for making a simple toy box, a simple step stool, and two of my favorite recipes that even my kids love.

Subscribe to Kin Community here for access to a world of beautifully produced, informative how-to and parenting videos:  http://bit.ly/KinParents

Building a Brand from the Beginning -- Keynote at Vegas Market on Aug 1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SHARK TANK Alum, Kiersten Hathcock, Shares Brand
Building Tips At Las Vegas Market

CONTACT: 

Kiersten Hathcock

818-399-1172

publicrelations@modmomfurniture.com

(Los Angeles, CA., July 18, 2012)  Kiersten Hathcock, CEO of Mod Mom Furniture, will share tips on what worked and what didn't work while building a brand with $0 and running a company despite roadblock after roadblock during her session, “Building a Brand From The Beginning.” She'll also discuss how she learned to trust her intuition even when the world was saying she was nuts to try to build and design furniture without start-up capital, design know-how, and carpentry experience.  “I’m honored to have been asked to speak by World Market Center to share my experience with my industry peers.  Going from a corporate marketing job to carpentry was never my career strategy but lay-offs, the economy, and a crazy idea made it a reality.  If what I share helps even one person better their situation, I’m over the moon,” says Kiersten.

Hathcock will also share her experience on ABC’s SHARK TANK as well as working with celebrity clients.  Attendees can expect to take away easy-to-apply brand building techniques from a down-to-earth entrepreneur who succeeded at building a respected brand in a tough economy. 

Most recently, Kiersten was invited to be a speaker on the “Influential Women in Home Furnishings” panel for World Market in January of this year as well as a keynote presenter for the American Society of Furniture Design annual dinner in High Point, NC in April 2011.  Katie Hatch, founder of Design | Intuition and former American Society of Furniture Designer Vice President said,  "I've been in the furniture industry for twenty years, and when Kiersten contacted me out of the blue asking for sourcing advice, I was blown away by the amazing brand she had built for herself in such a short time and for quite literally zero dollars. In my experience, the home furnishings industry is strong on product, sourcing, and infrastructure, but we lack brand recognition. Every retailer, manufacturer and designer can and should capitalize on this wonderful session and learn from Kiersten's experience and brand building know how.”

Julia Rosien, CEO of Social North and WithIt President adds, “Kiersten and I met when we sat on a panel together for a WithIt event. To say I was impressed with her sincerity and passion on stage would be a gross understatement. Kiersten connects with her audience because she’s fought a hard battle in the trenches of entrepreneurship and she’s happy to share both the missteps and the successes with her audience. She knows true learning comes when we’re open and honest with each other about how hard (and rewarding) is to be an entrepreneur.“

BUILDING A BRAND FROM THE BEGINNING takes place on August 1, 2012 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am at Las Vegas World Market World Forum 16^th Floor - Building B.  For more information, go to http://www.lasvegasmarket.com/show-highlights/calendar-market-events.html.

Mod Mom Furniture was born in a Los Angeles garage in 2007, the product of self-taught designer-turned-carpenter Kiersten Hathcock.  Her unique, eco-friendly, child-proven furniture has been sold throughout the United States, Canada and abroad.  Hathcock’s storage pieces have been featured in Dwell Magazine, Elle Décor, Los Angeles Times and Better Homes and Gardens as well as in episodes of ABC’s Shark Tank and the Nate Berkus Show.  For more information visit modmomfurniture.com.

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Faith

Meet Mr. Peaches.  (Formerly just Peaches)

These days, there seems to be so much change.  Horrendous fires :( , flooding in Tampa to the point people were kayaking down their streets :(, Tom and Katie splitting :), and we have a bunny that we thought was a girl but turns out is a boy :).  Change all around. Change used to scare me more than it does now.  I think over the last year, I've gotten better at living in the moment and realizing that no matter how much control I feel I have over things, I really don't have much at all.  I can only do my best and recognize that in my world, things happen as they should.  Even the bad stuff.  It's taken me a long time to get to this point, and I'm sure I have a lot more to learn, but I am taking comfort now in not knowing the answers or how things will play out tomorrow.  I know lots of folks I know would call that faith.

Here's my faith list today:

1.  I have faith that I will successfully fix a horrible highlighting job I did on my own hair with two lovely products from Loreal.  I also have faith that I may just be calling my fantastic hair dresser to fix it after I've "fixed it".  I'm ok with it.  Hair is an adventure, right?

2.  I have faith that I am on the right path in regards to Mod Mom Furniture growth as long as I recognize and listen to my intuition.  If I don't, I will likely take the long road to where I'm going.  I prefer the short road.

3.  I have faith that I won't mysteriously lose 15 lbs for a video segment shoot next Tuesday even though my silly mind would like to make me think I should.

4.  I have faith in Spanx for said video segment filming.


What do you have faith in today?

Keynote at Las Vegas World Market: Building a Brand from the Beginning

I've mentioned this before but now that its coming closer and closer (and I'm starting to work on the presentation and am getting SUPER excited about it), I thought I'd put it out there again.  If you're heading to Las Vegas Market in July, come by on Wed, August 1 at 10am to hear me talk about what is working (and what didn't work) as Mod Mom grows.  I'll share some inside stories, tips, failures, and in general, what I'm hoping folks will benefit from when building their own brands.

Hope to see you there!!

WHERE/WHEN: 

Building a Brand from the Beginning

10:00 am - 11:00 am | World Forum - 16th Floor of Building B

DESCRIPTION:

Kiersten Hathcock, CEO of ModMom Furniture, will share tips on what worked and what didn't work while building a brand with $0 and running a company despite roadblock after roadblock. She'll also share how she learned to trust her intuition even when the world was saying she was nuts to try to build and design furniture without design or carpentry experience.

Sponsored By

The Nothing About Furniture Post: Gluten Free Recipes

Happy Summer!  We're finishing up school around here which is why this blog has been quiet.  I do want to pass along some info that has nothing to do with wood but everything to do with good health.  A friend of mine has started a gluten-free cooking website where she shares recipes and I have had at least three friends tell me recently they are going gluten-free.  Check out Jessica's fantastic website and you're on your way to gluten free goodness. :)

Jessica's Website Link:  http://livelightfood.moonfruit.com

One of my favorite recipes is......

Chocolate Cake/Cupcakes
1 1/2 cup(s) gluten free all purpose flour (Bob's Red Mill® All Purpose Flour)
1 1/2 teaspoon(s) baking soda
1/2 cup oil
1 cup(s) sugar
1/2 cup [quality] Cocoa Powder
2 large eggs,
1 1/2  teaspoon(s) vanilla extract
3/4  cup(s) rice or coconut milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine all wet ingredients in a small bowl. Combine all dry ingredients in a separate, medium size bowl. Next combine wet ingredients into the dry ingredients bowl. Whisking together until batter is smooth.

Prepare a: cake pan, sheet cake pan, muffin or mini muffin pan by spraying with a non-stick spray. Spoon or pour mix into pan or muffin cups. Cook until inserted toothpick (or butter knife) come out clean.

Let cake/cupcakes cool, then eat and/or serve!

A Letter to our Mod Mom - By Scott Hathcock

A letter to our Mod Mom…

To our mother, wife, teacher, furniture designer, encourager, lover, friend, disciplinarian, giver, healer, counselor, volunteer, technician, organizer, printer, worker, shopper, seller, marketer, play buddy, History Channel viewer, Vampire lover, non-bather, homework helper, listener, laugher, cook, partner, animal lover, bad impressionist, non-gamer, driver, entrepreneur, learning coach, mentor, visionary, artist, soul mate, and self-taught carpenter,

We offer our thanks on this Mother’s Day.  We appreciate and love the work you do with us and those around us to make this planet a better place. Balance might be “bullshit” in your world, but in our world you help keep us balanced.        

Love,

Your family