My Girlfriend's Corner

Being a Soccer Mom

2010-11-28T15:37:00.000-08:00

Well, with another boy on the way, I figured I need to get settled into my role as a soccer mom. We signed up Owen for soccer at our local Rec center and boy was that a hoot to watch. There's no rhyme or reason to three year-olds running down the field, but boy was it cute!

Easy Apple Cake

2010-11-28T11:35:00.000-08:00

I came across this recipe for Easy Apple Cake on the Bakerella web site when it was first posted back in September and I finally used it for the first time this weekend. It was my contribution to our Ward's Much & Mingle today and it was a HUGE hit! I must have had at least 5 sisters seek me out and comment on it and ask for the recipe. Even a sister who was not there today had heard about it before dinner time! ;-) So, I thought I'd share the goodness. I have to admit it was good. And I'll also admit that it arrived with a corner missing - well, I had to check it was okay! ;-)

Enjoy! :-9

(Picture from Bakerella)

The 15 Money Rules Kids Should Learn…

2010-04-02T15:07:00.001-07:00

Rob, being a finance guy, sent me this article and I felt that it was blog worthy.

The 15 Money Rules Kids Should Learn (link to full article)

Do the potty dance…

2010-03-29T14:02:00.001-07:00

I had a request for a potty training post so here it is.

So, it wasn’t my idea to try to potty train James again before he was three but Rob wanted to. It was a weekend and he was home so I figured what the hey, let’s try it. Many of you might know that I tried potty training James once before for a day and it didn’t end well. He just wasn’t quite ready. This time went much better and here are a few things that I did differently then last.

1. I decided I wasn’t going to push it. If he showed me he wasn’t ready I was ok with that.

2. I didn’t do the whole day in underwear because I wasn’t ready to deal with pee on my floor ALL day.

3. I bought a little potty (the other one we have sits on top the big toilet)

4. “Elmo’s potty time” video

5. In the mornings we turned on “Elmo’s potty time” and sat James on the potty in front of the TV. This way he learned what it felt like to go pee into the potty.

6. When he got sick of sitting on the potty we just put him back in his diaper.

7. After a few days of doing this we took the kiddy poos to a doctor appointment and while we were there James told us he needed to go potty. So, Rob took him to the bathroom and HE DID IT! It was all very exciting.

8. After he showed us he new when he needed to go potty we started leaving him in underwear longer and also bought some pull-ups.

9. He does have accidents but it’s just all part of the learning process. I tend to put him in pull-ups if we have to go out somewhere. But most of the time he does really well, letting us know when he needs to go. It’s harder for him when he’s playing with other kids to remember to tell us but we’re getting there.

10. He also likes watching this song Do the Potty Dance. We let him watch it after he goes potty sometimes. Just a little encouragement for him.

11. I made this potty chart as well and had in laminated. We use an erasable marker to make smiley faces when he makes an accomplishment. He really enjoys it. Giving him treats didn’t work very well. I think because he gets treats for other things as well. But I think he connects the potty chart and the “Potty Dance” song better with going potty then he did with treats.

I can go Potty like a big kid!	Wake up	Snack	Lunch	After-noon	Dinner	Bed time
I tried to go potty.
I went pee in the potty.
I went poo in the potty.
I flushed and washed my hands.

This is how we’ve been potty training James. Don’t get me wrong. We’ve definitely had some set backs but he knows how to do it and he likes it. So far, I think the hardest part about potty training James has been getting him to remember to tell us he needs to go when he is having too much fun playing with other kids outside of the home.

If you have any of your own tips let me know.

Honey Pork Ribs

2010-03-28T20:46:00.001-07:00

I have been making this recipe quite frequently. It’s a favorite in our house. Here are two recipes I found at allrecipes.com that I use as a base but I’ve changed them up a bit.

Recipe 1

Recipe 2

One big difference is that I put it all in the slow cooker. I throw the meat in and then I just throw all the ingredients on top. I kind of just eye ball the measurements for everything too. It always turns out good.

This recipe was delicious over some brown rice with corn bread!

Fresh Apple Cake

2010-03-22T10:21:00.001-07:00

Needless to say I’ve been pretty busy with two little munchkins that I haven’t found a lot of time to blog. I haven’t really been in the mood either. But I just couldn’t pass up posting this recipe. It is soooo delicious and easy too! I wish I had a picture to share but I don’t. It always gets gobbled up before I can take any. I guarantee if you need a dessert for a party, church activity, get together, or just for you; this one is a huge crowd pleaser!

1 cup sugar

½ cup shortening

1 large egg

1 tsp. Vanilla

2 cups grated apples

1 ½ cups flour

1 tsp soda

¼ tsp salt

Cinnamon

brown sugar

Beat with a mixer the shortening, sugar, egg and vanilla until creamy. Add apples which have been grated on a medium grater. Mix flour, soda and salt together. Add to apple mixture. Put mixture in a greased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon on top. Bake at 350º for 35-40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Serve with or without whipped cream.

Note: I just mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle it evenly on top (however much I want).

A New Twist on Better Than ? Cake

2010-01-30T10:35:00.000-08:00

Most of us have all eaten, if not made the "Better Than ? Cake" If you're not a chocolate fan but still looking for something rich or if you're just looking for a new twist on this classic cake, here's Paula Deen's recipe! Enjoy!

Ingredients

1 (18.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix, plus ingredients to prepare
1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple
1 1/3 cups sugar
1 (3.4-ounce) box French vanilla pudding, plus ingredients to prepare
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 cup flaked, sweetened toasted coconut

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Prepare yellow cake mix as directed using a greased 13 by 9 by 2-inch pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. While cake is baking, combine the pineapple and 1 cup of sugar in a saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium heat stirring constantly. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

Remove cake from oven and using a fork, pierce holes into cake. Pour pineapple mixture over hot cake and set aside.

Prepare pudding according to package directions. Spread pudding over cake and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. Whip heavy cream and remaining sugar until stiff. Cover top of cake with whipped cream and sprinkle toasted coconut on top.

Friendship bag

2010-01-17T16:33:00.000-08:00

this is for all those visiting teachers out there. http://www.oregonpatchworks.com/MembersOnlyClub/FB.php

my head just fell off.

2009-12-16T10:01:00.000-08:00

6th Street Design School: Save Money, Live Better

I’ve been workin on hair bows…

2009-12-15T12:51:00.001-08:00

I’ve recently realize how fun and easy it is to make hair bows. Whenever I have a few minutes like when James is eating or taking a nap I will throw a few together. Here are some of my creations…

View Full Album

Hopefully my little girl will let me put bows in her hair!

Mmm Mmm Good!

2009-12-08T11:24:00.001-08:00

comforting chicken noodle soup

Makes: 10-12 servings Total Time: 45 min

Submitted by: krenell

Category: Soups/Chilis Sub Category: Soups & Stews

Ingredients:

2 quarts water
8 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
1 cup chopped celery (I used carrots instead cause I didn’t have celery)
1 medium onion chopped
6-1/2 cups uncooked wide egg noodles
2 cans (10-3/4 ounces each) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
3 cups cubed cooked chicken (I like to use chicken breast, see notes) canned chicken works well too.
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
Minced fresh parsley

Preparation

In a large saucepan, bring water, celery, onion and bouillon to a boil. Add noodles; cook, uncovered, until tender, about 10 minutes. Do not drain. Add soup and the chopped chicken; heat through.
Remove from the heat; stir in the sour cream. Sprinkle with minced parsley. Yield: 10-12 servings (about 2-1/2 quarts).
Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 cup) equals 218 calories, 9 g fat (4 g saturated fat), 67 mg cholesterol, 980 mg sodium, 18 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 15 g protein.

Notes

chicken: I like to season my chicken and cook 4 minutes on each side in a very hot skillet with olive oil then cover with a lid and let sit until the pan stops sizzling, when cooled slice then add to soup.
If you have vegetables like peas or carrots leftover from a meal you can add them to this comforting soup. This soup is hearty and delicious.
If you don't have celery and onions you can make this soup without them, it's still very delicious. Mm, Mm, good.

Holiday Gift Ideas

2009-12-04T10:34:00.000-08:00

I have posted a lot of fun holiday gift ideas for friends, neighbors, family, teachers etc. here There is also a giveaway going on through Tuesday so go take a look! Happy Holidays Everyone!

Homemade Thin Mint Cookies

2009-12-02T20:42:00.000-08:00

Thin Mint Cookies

1 chocolate fudge cake mix
3 Tb vegetable oil
½ cup flour
1 egg
3 Tb water

For coating:

3 (12 oz) pkg semisweet chocolate chips
3-4 tsp peppermint extract
6 Tb vegetable oil or shortening

Combine cookie ingredients in a large bowl, adding water a little at a time until dough forms. Cover and chill for 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 350.
Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface. Dough should be about ¼ inch thick. Cut cookies out with a lid from a spice container. Arrange the cut dough on a greased baking sheet. The cookies don’t really spread so you can fit a lot on a sheet. Bake for 10 minutes (cookies should be crunchy). Cool completely.
Combine chips, peppermint extract, and oil/shortening in a microwave-save bowl. Heat on low for 2 minutes, stir, then heat for an additional minute. Continue heating at 30-second intervals until melted.
Dip the cookies in chocolate. Shake excess. (Using a fork to dip them seems to work the best). Place dipped cookies on wax paper. Refrigerate til firm.
Makes about 100 cookies.

This recipe was created by my good friend Jackie. Heaven bless her!

Soft velcro Mr Potato Head.... a SHHHH quiet toy!

2009-11-28T08:54:00.000-08:00

Ok Ladies, I found this idea on the Make it and Love it website http://makeitandloveit.blogspot.com/ and had to recreate it! It's a soft Mr Potato head made out of Felt. Since Mr Potato head can be noisy for places like church, this is a great quiet toy when you need it. It was really easy to make. It takes some time to cut all the pieces out and glue/sew, but in the end it turns out really cute. On the make it and love it site she didn't make a pleated back pocket to hold all the pieces (but she recommended it) so I did a pleated pocket and it seems to really make a difference and holds everything nicely. Here's photos of my creation. But you can go to the website and she shows some more instructional photos on how to make it.

Tis The Season....to save money!

2009-11-24T13:02:00.000-08:00

For so many people (including myself!) this is one of the favorite times of the year! It's a time for gift giving, for family and friends, for remembing those things in life which are truly important, finding amazing deals on items for others and for the household, and for good food.

In our home, EGGNOG is a tradition that is enjoyed by all. This is one treat that we seldom buy because at $2-3 for a quart it quickly adds up.

I've been hestitant to make it from scratch because of the "egg" factor and not wanting to get sick, worrying about undercooked eggs, and really doubting it could taste the same.

But long and behold, at a recipe group a few weeks ago I was given this recipe and it's WONDERFUL! Taste exactly like the store bought eggnogg that has been thinned out a bit. And best thing of all, it's made with ingredients I've already got in my kitchen!

3 large eggs
3 large egg whites
5 ½ cups milk (divided)
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tbsp cornstarch
1/4 tsp salt
2 Tbsp vanilla
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Beat eggs and whites until blended; set aside. In saucepan mix 4 cups milk with sugar, cornstarch and salt. Cook on medium high until it boils and thinkens slightly. Boil 1 minute stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Gradually whisk 1/2 cup milk mixture into eggs and then pour back into saucepan. Pour all into large bow. Stir in vanilla, nutmeg, and remainind 1½ cups milk. Cover and refridgerate until chilled (6 hours).
Makes 6½ cups

*I've never done it, but I wonder if using whole milk would make this thicker and more like the store bought kind. If anyone tries this, let me know! We never have whole milk which is why I haven't tried yet*

Hope you enjoy this as much as we have! It's a holiday drink my husband loves and is thrilled that I now can make it for much cheaper than we can purchase! Just another low budget way to bring the holidays into your home!

A Give Away Everyday Blog!

2009-11-23T22:18:00.000-08:00

I don't know how many of you are into scrapbooking - but I LOVE the look of it, I'm just not too talented at it or have the time while trying to live in a small 2 bedroom apartment and keep up with two crazy kids!

Anyways, there is this blog:
http://agiveawayeveryday.blogspot.com/2009/11/scrappy-gifts-giveaway.html

One of my good friends Maryanne is featured on it! She's giving away a baby calendar and scrapbook!

She does ALL the work and all you need to do is plug in your pictures! Anyways, I dont want to advertise but I love her site! So check out the giveaway blog and then look into her stuff more! I've got a canvas and a scrappy clock being created for me over the next few days! Completely personalized to match my girls room and everything!

Hope you love it!

A Felt Playhouse

2009-11-22T12:26:00.000-08:00

So, a few months ago I came across this fa bulous idea. Genius, right? Well, I played around with some ideas in my head (read: drooled over the ideas at this Etsy shop!) and finally decided to start on a little playhouse about 6 weeks ago. Let's just say my first attempt was a big fat fail! For my playhouse, I decided to use a jersey sheet set that I found for a steal at Target. Since I know practically nothing about sewing, I had no idea that the jersey material was going to be so stretchy and impossible to work with. I got the house done, but I just wasn't happy with how it looked (hence, no pictures!).

Fast forward 2-3 weeks. I stumbled upon this beauty at one of my favorite craft blogs. Can you believe how brilliant Jill is?! Seriously! And, because Jill is freaking awesome, she posted some patterns and instructions. And she answered a personal email I sent to her with a couple of questions. That's right--we're BFFs now! :) So, I followed some of her patterns, stole some of her ideas, and mixed them with some ideas of my own, and came up with this fabulous playhouse for OP!

The front door and mailbox. One day I'll get around to making a couple of felt envelopes for OP to put in the mailbox. One day.

A little garden with vegetables to pick!

An apple tree with apples to pick!

Some flowers to pick.

A flag (OP is obsessed!)

The bees are removable and can be stuck on anywhere. Originally, I wanted to do a beehive on one side as a little tribute to my dear Grandfather, but it just didn't really work, so I decided on a flag and some removable bees.

I thought grass along the bottom would be a nice touch. It was a lot of work sewing all of the grass, but I'm glad I put it on--it looks so great!

While I was sewing, I was able to watch some movies I'd been thinking about. I watched "Remember the Titans," "Glory Road," "Moulin Rouge," "Just Like Heaven,"Enchanted," "Persuasion," and a couple episodes of "Alias"! Yikes--that's a lot of movie time!

OP doesn't seem to happy to be the boy whose mom made him such a kick-A playhouse, does he?!
Haha! His little feet sticking out crack me up!

This playhouse was actually a lot of fun to make. And it cost me about $30 to buy everything for it. The little guy absolutely loves it!

Fabric baby ball…

2009-11-20T12:01:00.001-08:00

I’ve been wanting to get one of these toys for the new baby for a while. I saw a big one at BabiesRus for about 15 bucks….So, I decided to make one instead. It was a really easy project. I added in the ribbon tags and used fleece. Below is where I found the pattern.

Fabric baby ball

Hair bows and head bands and beanies…

2009-11-19T09:51:00.001-08:00

So, I’ve been trying to find a website that sells crocheted headbands for really cheap. I friend sent me a link to this site.

The hair bow company

It’s only $24.99 for this variety pack of 1.5 inch crocheted headbands, plus beanie and bow. The site has other variety packs to choose from or you can buy them individually.

Thanksgiving Blessing Mix

2009-11-16T14:25:00.000-08:00

Last year my mother-in-law had this cute little Thanksgiving Blessing Mix in little bags by each of our plates. I thought it was cute so I found it on the internet and thought I would share it with you. :) So go check it out here, or here or here. I'm sure it's all over the internet in different forms but you get the idea. It's just a cute easy favor for the thanksgiving table. :)
(I borrowed this picture from another site so you could get an idea of what it could look like. Lots of options. Have fun with it.)

Another Advent Calendar Idea

2009-11-12T16:33:00.000-08:00

This is the advent calendar I made this year. I used vinyl for the letters and numbers, but it can easily be done with scrapbook paper and mod podge.

The pizza pan came from Wal-mart ($5) and I just used a wooden disc I had leftover from another project and attached a magnet to it to use for the countdown.

Easy and cheap. My 2 favorite craft criteria!

Another Make it and Love it project…

2009-11-11T09:00:00.001-08:00

I love all of the ideas I find on the “Make it and Love it” blog and this is one of them. I think it turned out so cute. It is soooo easy to make too…

Fleece scarf

Advent Calendar…

2009-11-10T11:46:00.001-08:00

Candra,

I have been looking around from fun homemade advent calendars ideas as well. I haven’t made one yet but I did find a few that I liked and want to try and make. Here is one of my favorites…

Advent calendar

All you need is a cookie sheet, tin favors, scrapbook paper, Ribbon, glue gun or magnets. I like this one because I plan to put chocolates inside the tins.

Here’s a similar idea using a mini muffin tin…

the just used magnet on the paper to hold it on.

I also had a few other ideas rolling around in my head. I thought it would be really cute to make a felt Christmas tree and felt or cloth ornaments. You could put numbers on them and then velcro on the back and everyday add a new one to the tree. OR…you could get a small artificial tree add hang numbers ornaments on it. I hope that was somewhat helpful. I really do want to make the tin one. I will post pictures if I ever get around to it.

P.S. Here is step by step instructions on how to make this advent calendar. It is a similar idea to the first one. I think it would cost more because it’s on canvas instead of a cookie sheet. But it’s really cute too.

Advent Calenders

2009-11-09T12:26:00.000-08:00

I am looking for a cute/easy advent calender. If you have made one or find a link to make one will you please post them? Thanks!

Cheap homemade cleaning agents!

2009-11-07T10:47:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I've been a member of this blog for a while (thanks Amy for inviting me!) but have never posted. I guess I've never felt crafty or inventive enough or betty crockerish enough to post. But I've really enjoyed all the ideas on here. Thanks by the way to whomever posted the shoes idea for visiting teaching this month. I am including pictures of my own creation of these shoes for my ladies. It turned out so great.

I've been trying to learn how to make cleaners at home to save $$$. My recent concoction is a window glass cleaner and it's really simple to make and works just fine!

1 cup water

1 cup rubbing alcohol

1 tbsp white vinegar

10 drops of an essential oil (I used tee tree oil) to help make it smell nice

You don't have to add the essential oils, but I am not a vinegar smell fan (though it disipates fairly quickly). Mix all this in a spray bottle and just remember to shake the bottle before each use to mix everything. Works great and it's cheap!

I've also read (but haven't tried) that if you sprinkle baking soda on carpet it is a natural deoderizer. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes and then vacuum. So instead of spending money on those expensive glade deoderizers for carpets, you can just buy a cheap box of baking soda.

Here's a few good sites I've found on home cleaning agents: http://www.doityourself.com/, http://www.thenewhomemaker.com/, http://www.thefrugalshopper.com/, http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/ .

Some of my next concoctions will possibly be laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, all purpose cleaners, etc. There's plenty of recipes on those sites that you can look at.

Homemade French bread in the bread machine

2009-11-06T06:47:00.001-08:00

I made this the other day. It turned out so good. I had a hard time not eating it all. As you can see I already had a few slices before I took the picture.

Makes: 32

Ingredients:

INGREDIENTS
1 1/4 cups water (70 to 80 degrees F)
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 1/2 cups bread flour
1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 tablespoon cornmeal
GLAZE:
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
2 teaspoons sesame seeds, toasted

Preparation

DIRECTIONS
In bread machine pan, place the first five ingredients in the order suggested by the manufacturer. Select dough setting (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or flour if needed).
When cycle is completed, turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide in half. Roll each portion into a 10-in. x 8-in. rectangle. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seams to seal.
Sprinkle a greased baking sheet with cornmeal; place loaves seam side down on prepared pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 20 minutes.
Whisk egg and water; brush over loaves. With a sharp knife, make four shallow slashes across the top of each loaf. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired. Bake at 375 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks.

Notes

you can add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to moisten the dough and add shelf life.
Also spray the oven with water right after you put the dough in the oven. This will make a crispier crust.

Wind Mill Lettering

2009-10-28T12:30:00.001-07:00

My Mom has been in charge of helping her Relief Society plan Super Saturday. In the process she found this awesome blog called Wind Mill Lettering. They have tons of cute projects that you can order in bulk for Super Saturday. There prices are amazing too. I’m hoping that I can order individually as well. If not I’m just going to put in an order with my Mom’s ward.

Here’s a few of my favorite projects that they have…

$11 for kit

$8.50 for kit

$10 for kit

Every Girl Needs a Pair of High Heels!

2009-10-26T14:09:00.000-07:00

I spend WAY too much time blog surfing, but it is absolutely amazing to me how many talented women are out there, and I find such fun, cute things to make. I made this "Witches shoe" for my visiting teaching sisters for October with a little note that relates to the month's message. You could also do them for school teacher's, or as a party favor. Any girl would be happy to receive one of these adorable high heels!

Here are the links to make these adorable shoes.

http://www.skiptomylou.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/witchshoe.pdf

http://www.skiptomylou.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/witchshoeinside.pdf

I had a lot of fun and cannot wait to give them to my friends this week. It makes going to visit them that much more fun and I love seeing the personal touch put a smile to their faces. Defiantly worth it!

Cupcake Pops

2009-10-25T12:53:00.000-07:00

When I was a teenager I was a nanny for a family in our church. They have five kids and I started working for them when their oldest was in kintergarden. Last week she turned 18 and I had to find something HUGE to do for her! I was looking through different sites and ran into one called Bakerella and absolutly fell in love with her cupcake pops.

I got right to work and the end result was Amazing! I did 18 cupcake pops, 6 of them were the actual cupcake and then the other 12 were just balls that I put sprinkles on. I had a lot of fun making them, and the look on her face when I took them to her was priceless. The nice thing about these is that you can make them for anything and they taste really good too!

Pizza dough Recipe

2009-10-04T22:17:00.001-07:00

I don’t know about you but I am always looking for a delicious pizza dough recipe. I love making homemade pizza. Here’s a recipe that I found at Allrecipes.com. I like to add a little bit of Basil to the dough and maybe some garlic. I also spread some olive oil on the edge of the dough and sprinkled some corn meal. Delicious!

FREE Photo Book!

2009-10-02T10:52:00.000-07:00

Go to Shutterfly.com and upload your pictures. Create a 20 page soft cover 7x9 photobook - very easy, you just click and drag! Nothing to it!

When you're finished check out and use the promo code: BOOKPRINTS

You'll only pay for shipping and any additional pages (.50 a page)

Offer expires on Oct. 7th so hurry and get yours quick!!

If you would rather have 50 free prints instead you can use the same promo code

Enjoy your new book!

Honey Whole Wheat and Flaxseed Bread.

2009-09-28T14:37:00.000-07:00

My Mom made this recipe in her bread machine the other day. It turned out so yummy! Mine is in the bread machine as we speak. I hope it turns out just as good. If you have a bread machine this one is worth making.

Makes: 10 servings Total Time: 3 hr 5 min

Submitted by: krenell

Category: Breads & Muffins Sub Category: Yeast Breads & Doughs

Ingredients:

1 1/8 cups warm water (110 degrees)
1/4 cup honey, warmed in microwave
3/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/4 cups bread flour
1/4 cup flaxseed meal
2 tablespoons melted butter
2 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast

Preparation

Add ingredients to bread machine in order that it is written.

Use the wheat bread cycle, light color setting, and 2.0 lbs loaf size.

Notes

This is very delicious and very fluffy bread. The best wheat bread I have tasted.

My Favorite FHE Website

2009-09-21T09:16:00.001-07:00

So we've been trying to figure out some age appropriate lessons for our 2 year old in addition to the Primary 1 and 2 manuals. Here is a blog I came across that makes my Monday evenings much smoother! It has everything - lessons, songs, activities, recipes, and more! Of course we adjust it to fit our family's needs (alter the songs/rhymes, make lessons easier/harder, etc.) but it's one I love! Hope it helps your family on those nights you don't know what to do!

http://nataliesfhespot.blogspot.com/

Staying Fit

2009-09-03T11:01:00.001-07:00

My Mom showed me this really awesome website called www.sparkpeople.com. It’s sort of like weight watchers except FREE! Ya, totally free. I did weight watchers after James was born and I love it. It really helped me drop the baby pounds that didn’t want to magically disappear. Anyway, at spark people instead of counting points like weightwatchers it counts calories but it does it for you. It will show you the day and how many calories you should be getting and then you just add what you’ve eaten for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack and it will tell you the calories. It also tells you how much protein you’ve had, calcium, and so on. The really awesome part is they have a pregnancy and nursing program too (www.babyfit.sparkpeople.com). It’s all customized to your height and weight. It’s also about exercise too. They have a fitness section where you can record your work- outs. I’m not so good at that but at leased I know that I’m not going overboard with eating. Which is sooooooo easy to do when pregnant.

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

2009-08-31T13:08:00.000-07:00

This is my first time posting, although Amy set me up to do so ages ago. Since then it seems I've not had anything worth posting but I came across this short post on one of the blogs I follow which I wanted to share. I was glad she wrote it because I've been suffering a LOT from this recently. I think I'll blame being a new mum of two but I never seem to get very far in finishing anything I've even started taking photos of rooms that are finally completely tidy or insisting that my ever patient husband come and take a close look at how clean and orderly the laundry room is! (It's still the tidiest room in the house at the moment! I go in there when I need a moment of tranquility! ;-)

Anyway, back to my original point (see, can't keep my mind focused on one thing!), check this out. It made me feel much better about my ability to get things done and my current lack of focus!

Mmmm...Peach & Raspberry Parfait's

2009-08-17T14:55:00.000-07:00

These are really light and fresh, Just what I look for in a summer dessert!

MAKES 4 servings PREP 5 min

2 medium-size peaches, rinsed & pitted
1 container rasperries, rinsed & dried

2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 envelope dry whipped topping mix
1/2 Cup 2% Milk
(you don't need these ingred. if you use cool whip)

1 container (6 oz) vanilla yogurt
8 shortbread cookies
Mint to garnish-opt

Steps:
~Cut peaches into 1/2 in pieces. Set aside 4 peach pieces and 4 raspberries for garnish. In med-sized bowl, gently stir together remaining peach pieces and raspberries.
~In a large bowl, combine whipped topping mix and milk (IF you don't use prepared). Beat on low for 1 min, then increase speed to high and beat 4 min, until fluffy and stiff (makes 2 cups). Fold 1 1/2 c of whipped topping into yogurt in small bowl (reserve remaining 1/2 c topping.)
~Begin layering: Place about 1/4 c fruit in the bottom of 4 glasses. Top eah with 1/4 cup yogurt mixture. Crumble one cookie into eash glass. Repeat layering, endind with cookies. Dollop reserved whipped topping over parfaits, about 2 tbl for each. Garnish with reserved fruit and mint, if desired.

PER SERVING 222 calories; 5 g fat (1g sat.); 4 g protein; 40 g carb; 3 g fiber; 106 mg sodium; 8 mg cholesterol

OH...They're worth it! ENJOY!

Attn: Utah Mama's - It's What Fun Is

2009-08-17T14:47:00.000-07:00

2News Viewer Appreciation Days At Lagoon!

KUTV wants to thank our loyal viewers by treating them to discount ride passes to Lagoon.

When: August 17 through August 22

Get two people in to Lagoon for the price of one regular all-day ride pass. (41.95 + tax)

Just tell them you want the KUTV Viewer Appreciation Deal at the ticket window!

Here is the link: http://connect2utah.com/content/fulltext/?cid=33332

Oatmeal banana chocolate chip cookies

2009-08-12T13:34:00.001-07:00

You should try this recipe. They are delicious.

3/4 C solid veg. shortening (I use the butter flavored one-but I'm not sure it makes a diff)

1 C sugar

1 Egg

1 C mashed banana (2 bananas)

1 1/2 C all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

2 C quick oats

1 C chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 400F

Mix shortening, sugar, egg and mashed bananas well.

Add flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Stir in oats and chocolate chips.

2. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto baking sheet.

Bake 8 - 10 min.

Cool on wire rack.

Yeild: 4 dozen

Paper crafting

2009-07-31T21:04:00.001-07:00

This is my latest project. I think it turned out cute. We haven’t had the time, space, or money to make James room cute. But now I do. I get to decorate it and this was the first thing that I have made to put up on his wall and I already have a few more ideas in store. I think it’s going to look really fun in the end.

Potty Training

2009-07-28T08:31:00.001-07:00

Any suggestions? I want to start potty training James pretty soon. He’s beginning to act interested. Is there a book I should buy? Should I just buy him some underwear and candy and do it cold turkey? HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am dreading this!

Another Steal of a site...

2009-07-24T13:13:00.000-07:00

Without looking back at previous posts...I do believe I posted a site for you to check out: babysteals.com ?!? Hopefully that's not my imagination, but IF it is... now you know!

Anyhow, they now have a new site: scrapbooksteals.com

....And coming soon kidsteals.com...

Check it, ....I hope it's helpful in saving you some $

“I spy” bag and Nursing clip

2009-07-22T20:18:00.001-07:00

Two crafts I worked on from the blog “Make it and Love it”

They were pretty easy to make and I think they turned out kind of cute. Just don’t look at them too closely.

“Make it and Love it” project…

2009-07-19T10:44:00.001-07:00

So, I finally pulled out my sewing machine and made…

a cute baby towel. I actually had plans to give it to my cousins wife. She’s about to have her first baby boy. But, I started noticing all of the mistake because I’m not very smart and I used white thread instead of green thread. So, I was too embarrassed to give it away as a gift. I did make her a nursing clip and an “I Spy” bag though. They turned out pretty cute. I’ll post pictures of those later. So, James gets this towel and hopefully I will get better at using my machine.

Two Boutiques…

2009-07-16T07:35:00.001-07:00

The first one is Kayte bug boutique. I especially love the diaper bags. I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to buy one.

The second one is an Etsy find. I’ve told a few of you about it. It used to be called Lilibug boutique and now it’s Kachoobaby. So for those of you with little girls these are not your traditional hair bows and clips. She makes them to look like all different kind of animals and bugs. They are sooo cute! But here’s a hint (They don’t look that hard to make either). Check it out and I hope you enjoy!

Question? Do you think that there is someone above that flips on a “stinker switch” on a child’s second birthday? I swear there is!

Make it and Love it…

2009-07-05T10:40:00.001-07:00

I found this AWESOME blog through another friends blog. It has the cutest craft ideas ever. Just click on the “button” I added to the right hand side. If you scroll down you can find a list of all her projects. I can’t wait to start making some. As soon as I do I will take pictures and post them for everyone to see. Until then have fun exploring the site like I did.

Picky Toddler?

2009-06-23T10:23:00.000-07:00

I found this website with all kinds of fun (and healthy!) things to feed toddlers. My little one has gotten so picky lately, and it's driving me crazy! Some of these recipes will be great for older kids.

If you have any tips on stopping the toddler pickiness, please share!

www.wholesometoddlerfood.com

My next two pages…

2009-06-21T20:37:00.001-07:00

My first digital scrapbook page

2009-06-20T07:37:00.001-07:00

What do you think…?

A New Use for Wipe Containers....

2009-06-19T00:07:00.000-07:00

We buy wipes (most of the time) at Costco and usually get the Huggies brand. Well, as some of you may know, in every box Huggies supplies you with a new plastic wipe container that is refillable. Needless to say we've collected quite a few of these gems over the past two years!

Maybe it's the pack-rat in me, but I have a hard time throwing them away! I feel like such a waster just sending them to the landfill...yet I have a hard time finding a use for every single one of them.

However, I discovered a new (and disgusting) use for them last week... a barf catcher for my toddler! He was sick on Saturday and it worked well to have an empty container (lid detached) in each room. Then when I saw the signs of another upheaval, I could grab him and the little bucket and avoid a big mess on the carpet.

So I really would like to know more uses for these besides wipes and barf. Anyone else have any other ideas? Please enlighten me!

Another question…

2009-06-14T17:38:00.001-07:00

I want to get into digital scrapbooking. I’m not sure how to get started. Any suggestions? I was thinking about buying My Memories suite . What do ya think?

Question…?

2009-06-10T15:45:00.001-07:00

We just moved into our new apartment and the only place for the kitchen table is carpeted. Everyone knows this isn’t a great idea when you have a toddler that eats with you. Any suggestions of something cheap we can put under the table to keep the carpet from getting food stains everywhere?

Disney's Desperate Housewives

2009-05-29T14:58:00.000-07:00

This is cute. Click on the comic strip to enlarge.

The Room-A-Day Way

2009-05-14T09:21:00.000-07:00

I hate cleaning the house. Seriously, it's the worst thing to me. But I love having a clean house (don't ask me how that works!). I'd been seriously slacking on keeping up on my house, mostly because the thought of doing it was completely overwhelming. Finally, one day a couple of weeks ago, I determined that I was going to be better at cleaning my house on a regular basis. Now, I am not someone who thinks that it's my "job" as a stay-at-home-mom to keep the house clean. You tell me where that is written?! But, realistically, if I don't do it, who is going to? My husband is great at helping to pick up all of the toys at the end of the day. And he's great at making the bed in the morning. But that's about it. For some reason, he can walk in to a room with dust all over the furniture and milk spots on the floor (thanks, little 1-year-old), and just sit down and watch TV. Me, not so much. But I digress...

A couple of weeks ago I set some realistic (to me) housekeeping goals. Mostly, it involves picking up the main rooms of the house every day (ie doing the dishes and putting the toys away), and tackling the deep cleaning one room each day. The first week was M-I-S-E-R-A-B-L-E! I'd really let things go, so it took a long time to get each room back to some sort of order. But this second week has been easy-peasy! Pretty much, now that I've seriously deep-cleaned every room in my house, it's all about maintaining it. So much easier! And the room-a-day makes it so I really only spend 15-20 minutes a day on serious cleaning, another 15 or so on general pick-up, and the rest of the day chasing after my little mess-maker.

Here's my weekly schedule. I'm finding that it's a constantly evolving list, but you get the idea.

Monday: Laundry day (blech!) I really hate doing laundry, so I do it all in one day, just to get it over with. When I'm done with the laundry, I wipe down the shelves in the laundry room, wipe off the tops of the washer and dryer, wipe off the window sill, Windex the window, and sweep and mop the floor.

Tuesday: Kitchen day. I won't lie--this one takes the most time each week. Kitchen day involves wiping out the microwave and the stove, cleaning out the fridge, wiping down the outsides of the cabinets, moving the small appliances from the counter tops and wiping them down really well, organizing the pantry, refilling the canisters in the kitchen, disinfecting the trashcan, cleaning the window, disinfecting the sink, and sweeping/mopping the floor.

Wednesday: Living room day. This involves dusting all of the furniture and pictures, Windexing the TV and windows (while I'm cleaning the windows, I also take a few seconds to wipe out the window tracks--nasty!), vacuuming the couch cushions, and sweeping/mopping the floor. I also go through a organize the toy baskets while I'm at it. It's amazing how many goldfish crackers end up in the toy bins!

Thursday: Office/Entry day. Today I de-clutter the computer desk, Windex the computer monitor and window, dust the bookshelves, de-clutter the craft table, disinfect the mouse and keyboard, vacuum (including edges), and take out the trash. I also sweep the front porch and walkway since cleaning the office is the easiest day pretty much.

Friday: Bedrooms. Wash and replace sheets, dust dresser top, organize closets and drawers, Windex TV and windows, restock diaper caddy, vacuum. Once a month I'm planning on going through the little guy's clothes and packing away the small stuff (sad!).

Saturday: Bathrooms. I do this on Saturday so my husband can help. We have 4 bathrooms. It's too much! Basic bathroom stuff--clean the sinks, toilets, tubs, Windex the mirrors, clear off and wipe down counter tops, wipe down cabinets, empty trash, organize under the sink, sweep/mop floors, wash/replace towels and mats.

Sunday--REST!

Like I said, it's only been 2 weeks, but what a difference! Having a small, manageable task rather than an entire house to tackle is the way to go (for me, at least!)! My whole house might not be clean at the same time, but it's nice to know that I've cleaned every room every week.

(This turned into quite the novel! Thank you if you're still with me!)

What helps you to maintain your house?

2009-05-10T09:53:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day ladies!

Recipe website

2009-05-07T21:44:00.000-07:00

Now that we FINALLY have some warm weather...I've been having a hard time wanting to hang over the stove/oven to make dinner. Who's with me?
I've never been one to really use my crock pot, but I was sent a link to a recipe website that has a very organized list of "Crockery Pot cooking" ideas:
http://www.50plusfriends.com/cookbook/
(It's not a link...sorry, I'm too tired!)
So check it out for yourselves...If you try one you really like, or worse-one that you really don't like, please let us know. I haven't tried any yet. Also, if you have any recipes you'd be willing to share, I'd love some good idea's!

Amy's mom thoughts...

2009-05-04T16:09:00.001-07:00

I decided I wanted to write a little post about things that make being a mom a lot easier for me. Please post some of your own thoughts as well.

#1 I know this might not work with every child but James is an independent kid and sometimes just likes to do his own thing. So...every once in a while when James is being cranky before it's nap time or after he already had his nap I will put him in his crib with a few toys and just let him have some alone time. He usually just plays for a little while or looks at books and then is much happier afterwards. It's nice when I need a shower as well.

#2 Speaking of showers: Sometimes I just bring James in with me. He loves to just sit on the floor and let the shower run over his head. And I get two things done at once.

#3 Seagull books is a great place to buy books. I just bought James a couple of board books for only $2.99. I usually pay around $6 or more at Barnes and noble.

#4 Summer PJ's: I have tons of winter jammies and I really didn't want to spend the money buying a bunch of summer ones. Soooo...I bought a 5 pack of white t-shirts ($6), a 2 pack of boxers and 3 pack of boxer briefs(about $5.00 each). So basically I got 5 new pj sets for about $3.50 a piece. Not bad since Walmarts summer pj's were about $6-$7 a piece.

#5 New find: This wasn't steal or anything but I thought they were so fun. I was walking down the cereal isle at walmart and discovered Kellogg mini wheat little bites. They are smaller than the regular mini wheats. They are so cute! I bought some for James as a snack. They are the perfect size for little mouths.

Please send me your thoughts. I want to know what things you do to help make your life a little easier. I could use more suggestions on Toddler activities as well.

Baby Steals

2009-04-27T21:36:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the great idea for this blog Amy. Sorry it has taken me a bit to find something to share...(I'm not feeling too crafty, or inspiring lately) - but I have been appreciating the posts ya'll have shared!
So for those of you who like a good deal on the name brands, here's a website to check out (IF you haven't already):
http://babysteals.com/
They have 'x' amount of one name brand baby product per day...they post that days item at 9 am and sell them until it sells out or until the next days post. You can also sign up for email reminders, for those of us who may forget to check it out...
Hope that you find something fun there either for you, or a gift!

inspired

2009-04-23T16:12:00.001-07:00

Hello! I'm excited to contribute to and get cozy at The Corner. Here is my last post from my blog runningmommy. I promise to bring new material to this blog in the future.

flat chain necklace from banana republic.

Maybe it's my new pink lipstick, the beautiful weather, the coat hubs got me, or my decision to screw the fact that I have small children and buy a necklace; an accessory I haven't bought in years. Whatever it is, I'm feeling totally inspired by fashion right now. I also cleaned out and organized my closet which really helps.

I know it's also because of one of my favorite blogs, The Sartorialist.

I got some great accessories and some great basic pieces in my colors I love. Right now I'm dying over shades of yellow, white, grey, and navy. I am obsessed with anything feminine and am always falling for pieces with a natural twist. I'm a huge sucker for linen and loose fitting clothing. I absolutely LOVED the movie Vicky Christina Barcelona and was very inspired by the stlying in that film. Go see it now.

I can always find cute things at Target and Old Navy and usually find the more special pieces at Banana Republic. (Also because I have a credit card there.)

Must haves for right now are:

airy cardigans
a great pair of dark khakis
dark-wash slim fitting denim
dark-wash wide leg or trouser denim
feminine blouses with ruffles, lace- anything with details
A great pair of pumps, and your favorite sandals
A good skin care regimen
An soft lip color for spring like petal pink.
A polished nail
And a great accessories that makes you feel like a million bucks.

So- my challenge for you if you are in a bit of a fashion rut:

Go find something that makes you feel pretty!

If you are broke, steal away and buy a beautiful nail polish and do your nails. I promise you that one small gift to yourself will make you feel so good. If you can afford to buy a some new clothes for spring, make sure they fit you in every sense of the word. Be creative. Step outside your comfort zone a little bit. The great thing about being a girl is that it doesn't take much to make one feel great. Just confidence, and maybe just maybe, a new necklace.

Alright Ladies

2009-04-20T16:44:00.000-07:00

Alright Ladies my secret it out! I have the most amazing site to find coupons. You can find coupons for just about anything but one thing you do have to pay for them but their like 3-10 cents a coupon so it's well worth it. And they are actual coupons that you would get from your newspaper. Just got to www.thecouponmaster.com oh yes and here is another one for you go to www.retailmenot.com and you will find coupons for ANY online store. No joke I bought a victorias secret bra for $8 using this website ohhh and here's yet another www.monsterhair.com this is for all you ladies who like to use salon products you will find them from 10-50% off at this site and with free shipping.
So Ladies I hope you use and enjoy your savings!

Bows bows and more bows

2009-04-19T13:28:00.001-07:00

I don't have a little girl but when I do I will definitely be shopping here. Check out Lilibug boutique at Etsy.com This lady makes some of the cutest bows I have ever seen.

Just to let you know...

2009-04-18T12:39:00.001-07:00

if you are an author on this blog I have granted you administrative privileges. This means you can add your friends to this blog if you like. Here's how ya do it: customize-settings-permissions-scroll down-add author-type in email addresses-invite. Easy as pie! I will love to have your friends contribute!

Unbeatable Deals!

2009-04-18T09:11:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of this year I lost my job so our income went down to one part time income since my husband is currently in school. I was extremely nervous about how we were going to survive but knew we would survive if we did what we knew we were supposed to do along with being smart with our money.

I had always done really well with coupon clipping for groceries etc. saving 50% or more each time I went shopping but still felt as though the beauty products (shampoo, soap, hairspray, etc.) and the house products (cleaners, laundry detergent, toilet paper, etc.) took up to much of our budget.

A friend of mine introduced me to the Walgreens, CVS, and Target deals and I've been hooked ever since. I have saved so much money from this in fact that we have decreased our budget for beauty and house products from around $50 a month to a mere $15-25 a month depending on the sales that particular month. I have several months of storage in shampoo, soaps, cleaners, deorderant, toothpaste and so much more. And the best part about it is that all the products are things that we use, like, and were spending full price for only months ago.

I have found two websites that explain how to shop at all the different stores, get the most for your money, and even go so far as to tell you what the deals are for the week at each store. I absolutly love them! I absolutly love watching the money I save vs. how much I bring home every week.

http://www.hip2save.blogspot.com/

http://www.moneysavingmom.com/

I will try to post my best deals as I get them! Hopefully it will help others to get motivated and realize that you can get the products you love for a LOT less than the orignial price.

Deal of the Week

My best deal of the week came from CVS. CVS has a program called "extra care bucks" which is where you get money off your next total purchase when you purchase certain products. These ECB's help lower your overall cost significantly and can be rolled over from week to week.

Hip 2 Save has given a great description on how to make CVS "extra care bucks" work for you here

I bought 6 Pantene Pro V 2 in 1 Shampoo's for $3.50 each for a total of $21.00 + tax

I used a $4 off $20 beauty purchase CVS coupon found on the hip 2 save website

I used 3 $3.00 off purchase of any 2 pantene Pro V shampoo coupons found in the 4/05 Sunday paper

I used a $5 "extra Care Buck" I had from the prior week

My Total $ $3.97

And here is my favorite Part...... My Savings:

$26.94!!! Now that makes for a good feeling :)

FHE in a Jar

2009-04-18T08:53:00.001-07:00

My friend Kristy showed me this website. It's a really great idea. Just click on the webpage, download and print the document. Cut out the strips and put them in a Jar. It's that easy! Now you have weeks of Five minute Family Home Evening lessons. Complete with a song, scriptures and topic of discussion. You could make this for your own family, or as a gift for a friend. As soon as I get ink for my printer I plan to make it.

Mormonshare

A Message From Dr. Laura

2009-04-17T11:34:00.000-07:00

Normally I think Dr. Laura is full of hot air. But I think she nailed something that most of us feel at some point.

"A caller with a seemingly simple question has been haunting my mind since Monday. The caller was a stay-at-home mom with four children under the age of six. I thought I was heroic chasing after one child who never napped. I can’t imagine four little tykes going in different directions, all with different personalities and needs. Wow.

After asking some sneaky questions, I discerned that she was - in two words - BURNED OUT. It’s difficult to get around the understandable embarrassment or shame that a mother has for even thinking that she wished she were on another planet away from the children for a while. But this is a totally understandable and normal reaction to a lovely, but draining, situation.

When a woman is at a job, she can take a number of bathroom breaks, coffee breaks, and a lunch break which may even include shopping (a great tension releaser!). When taking care of a number of children whose needs are relentless and inconsistent, it’s easy to see how one brain and heart can be overwhelmed if the kids don’t nap - mine never did, and I remember feeling mentally exhausted.

Mothers do, but shouldn’t, feel guilt at not always being thrilled out of their ears to be taking care of their children. My first argument is that there is no one with any career or activity who doesn’t regularly feel the same way. Human beings need breaks - changes of scenery and input - and activities that help let off steam and revive one’s sense of joy in life. That’s why in my book, In Praise of Stay-At-Home Moms, I’ve written about the necessity of taking guilt-free breaks - and taking them before you break!

First, to the husbands: Make sure you command and demand that your beloved wife and mother of your progeny go out with her girlfriends, go have a one-hour bath with bubbles and wine, or go ride her bike with a bike club for a morning - something so that she can feel revived and relaxed. Plan it for her if she’s stubborn (the stubbornness usually comes from feeling guilty). Tell her that a GOOD mother takes care of herself so that the “giving” flows more readily.

Second, to you mothers: Grandma is useful for a break while you do nothing or something that relaxes you. I told this caller to get one of those carriers that attaches to a bicycle, and get a child bike seat affixed behind her bike seat - that takes care of three kids right there, and one is in kindergarten. Take ‘em all on a bike ride to picnic or relax in a park - that’s only one of the things I did with my child. Turn on an exercise video and dance along with the music to get a workout - the kids will join in, or play next to you with their toys.

My message is: no guilt. Any profession has tools that must be taken care of to keep working properly: a computer, a saw and hammer…whatever. For us mothers, the tool is ourselves. So, no guilt. Take it as a responsibility to keep yourself loose and refreshed.

My final message is that being home with your children opens up many opportunities if you think out of the perimeter of your property. It isn’t supposed to be a “work farm.” It’s supposed to be a joyous home. Oh, and here’s why that caller stuck in my mind: I heard a depth of sadness in her voice that seriously worried me, and I realized that many of you moms try so hard that you forget to take care of yourselves. In doing so, you lose contact with your mission in the first place. When that happens, your children miss you.

So, ladies, turn on that music and dance and sing around the house and enjoy!"

Links To Love

2009-04-16T09:40:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd post some links to some websites that I love! I've gotten some fantastic ideas from these sites--can't wait til my guy is old enough to appreciate some of these things!

No Time For Flashcards: this woman does a craft with her toddler every single day! They're simple and look oh so fun!

Tip Junkie: this is my new favorite! She compiles all kinds of decoration, party, gift, and craft ideas. If you want to be that woman that everyone hates because she always has super-cute ideas, this is the place for you!

Food Storage Made Easy: Simple, step-by-step guidelines to getting your year supply, 3-month supply, and 72-hr kits ready.

Visiting Teaching Blog: This one has some great little handout ideas that coincide with the monthly VT message.

The FHE Spot: Some great FHE lessons for small children!

Picture Books We Love

2009-04-15T16:53:00.000-07:00

The other day as I was "googling," I came across this fun Google graphic from Eric Carle. Haven't heard of him? Well, sure you have. If you have ever read The Hungry Caterpillar, or Brown Bear or any of his other picturebooks, you've had a pretty good dosage and probably didn't realize it. He's an all-American children's book staple among most households. Nearly everyone I know has seen his work. Personally, I love his books and so does Owen. Without fail, they are the first books Owen brings me when he wants mom to read him a story. Just wanted to put a plug in for him in case there is anyone out there who hasn't picked up one of his books lately. If I ever get to be that famous, I hope people put in plugs for me too. As an English major, I like to support authors who get it right. I'll throw out some other authors I love down the road and feel free to throw some my way too.

Book worm!

2009-04-15T13:28:00.001-07:00

James LOVES books. I could read him like 5 books in a row and he would just sit in my lap and enjoy every second of it. Some of his favorite book are Chugga Chugga Choo Choo, Eric Carle books, The Rainbow fish, and Dr Suess books...
Tell me what books your children love and where you get them. Do you order them from some where or just buy them at a book store?
Help me build my children's book collection.

What is this about...

2009-04-13T16:23:00.001-07:00

I decided to start a new blog. I want all my friends to be a part of it as well. You can invite who ever you want and write whatever you want on it. I want it to be a place where we can post recipes, and crafts ideas. Tips on raising kids, working out, eating right, shopping. A place you can post questions, shopping deals, fun things to do. I think it will be fun if a lot of people become a part of it. I love swapping ideas with friends and I thought this would be a fun way to do it. Let me know what you think and please post something.

My first post will be a yummy recipe:

White Turkey chili

1 lb of lean ground turkey meat
Extra virgin olive oil
1/2 or whole white onion(depends what you like)
4 cloves of garlic(again depends how much you like)
1 box of chicken broth
4 cans white northern beans
1 big can of green chile peppers
fresh Parsley to taste
1 tablespoon of oregano
1 tablespoon of cumin
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
cayenne pepper to taste
salt and pepper to taste

Drizzle large pot with EVOO and over medium heat combine your ground turkey, onion and garlic. Saute 'til you turkey is browned. Then stir in all of your seasonings and saute for 5 minutes.
Add two cans of bean in pot with the chicken broth. Take the other 2 cans of beans and puree them. Add them to the pot, stir well and let simmer for about 10 minutes. When serving add cheese and chips for extra flavor and touch.