Good Reads

Hey all.  I have to apologize for lack of content here on the 'ol bloggy.  I'm almost out of my 1st trimester so things should pick back up a bit around here soon.  One of my kiddos asked me yesterday when I was going to cook "real" food again.  LOL!  Lately with lack of energy and nausea I've been fixing easy, quick, and sometimes frozen pre-made foods.  They have big help in making some breakfast items and lunch so that's been a huge blessing!  I have several recipes and things I'd like to share so look for them soon.  (hopefully!)  One of which will be baby goats!  Skippy hasn't kidded yet, but any day now!  I'll be sure to post a few pics when she has those precious babes!  (We think there's two, anyway!)

I thought I'd share a few gems that I found today. 

First go visit Simplebites for a great post on saving money in the kitchen!  

Then go take a gander at Susan Branch's website!  I love her artwork!  Lots of cute things on this site!

Then lastly...the best post I read today!  Over at Aunt Ruthie's!  Go visit Sugar Pie Farmhouse for a wonderful Easter Blessing!

I know I still have yet to post the Queen of the Castle post...perhaps today?  *sigh*

Facebook Fun!

If you aren't a fan of Old House Kitchen on Facebook, you are missing out!  I have posted to several sites lately with fun crafts.  I'll share a few of them here, but don't miss all the fun!  Hop on over and "like" Old House Kitchen! 

Martha has some great ideas like this sign card  HERE.

Positively Splendid has instructions for this lovely diaper box canvas bin over HERE.

But don't miss out!  Go HERE to get in on all the Facebook action!  From surveys to quotes and recipe tips, to crafts and sales deals you're not going to want to miss out!

 

 

Valentine's Day Ideas

Since I love ya'll to bits and pieces I thought I'd pass along some fun Valentine downloads from my bloggy friend Linda over at Prairie Flower Farm. 

Go HERE to download a yummy cookie recipe and some cute little birdie Valentine tags!

Go HERE for a tutorial for some adorable flower pins.  

I think I'm going to give these a try this week!

What a Deal!

Amazon has a great sale going on the Cuisenart Ice Cream Maker.  I know it's not even spring yet, but you can't pass up on this price! The regular price is $90!  It's on sale for $37.10 (and that includes free shipping!).  Great deal I thought I'd pass along to ya'll!

Healthy Breakfasts

On the FB page we had a string of comments going about breakfasts.  What to fix and what to do so you aren't spending an hour in the kitchen just on breakfast alone.

Planning ahead helps a lot!  We have cold cereal maybe two days a week.  I save those days for when I don't feel well or we're in a hurry to get to piano, etc.  Delegating is very helpful if you have a child old enough to help out in the kitchen.  I have one daughter who loves to make muffins so she does that about every other week and those go great with yogurt.  Recipe for Bananaberry Muffins is HERE.

We have pancakes and scrambled eggs at least two days a week  I mix my pancake dry mix and keep it in a jar so all I have to do is scoop out the dry mix and add the milk, eggs, and melted butter.  The recipe is HERE. Scrambled eggs are inexpensive for us because we have about 10-ish laying chickens.  (We have several that aren't earning their keep. So they'll be butchered soon.)  My oldest son (13) loves to make scrambled eggs and my oldest daughter (12) usually runs the pancake griddle so that's a big help for me. I supervise!  *wink*  My scrambled egg recipe is HERE.  If you want something you can make the night before and just pop in the oven in the morning try my baked egg recipe HERE.

We have yogurt about two days a week.  I've started making my own and they love smoothies or yogurt in a bowl with granola.  Recipe for yogurt is HERE, granola recipe is HERE.

If none of the above sounds good I make baked oatmeal.  I keep a few batches of the dry ingredients mixed together in baggies in an old oatmeal container.  The recipe is HERE.  I'm going to get brave enough one day to make it the night before and put it in the crock pot.  I'm hesitant, though, because I know it won't be as crispy on the edges and I have a few kiddos who love the crispy edges.  Some day I'll be brave.  Ha!

So there you have it...my breakfast ideas.   They're not 100% healthy since some contain sugar and what-not, but so much better than processed and pre-packaged foods.  Feel free to comment with links to recipes and other ideas.  I love getting new ideas and enjoy "meeting" ya'll!

Queen of the Castle: Week 49

We're on week 49 of Queen of the Castle.  We're a week ahead, but that's just fine, we'll start over at week one in January and work until we get to where we started HERE.

This week's chapter is titled "Christmas is Here! Last-Minute Ideas".  Author Lynn Bowen Walker shares a few fun stories about past gingerbread house bombs.  She lets us in on a little secret -- graham crackers!  Our family has never made gingerbread houses. I don't even go there.  I know my limits.  Instead we have a blast rolling, cutting and decorating sugar cookies.  A few years in a row we made gingerbread cookies until I wised up and realized that no one...not. a. one.  likes gingerbread. Well except me, but I really don't need to eat 4 dozen gingerbread men, women, and children.  So we decided to make sugar cookie cut-outs from scratch.  It was back-breaking mixing and rolling, etc., so I've had yet another realization that we will decorate cut-out cookies we use good 'ol Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix from now on.  It makes the process ten times easier. Yes, I love home made sugar cookies but if you want someone other than Oscar the Grouch in the kitchen then try the mix.  It's o.k., really.  *wink*

Now, if you really are planning on gingerbread houses, Lynn suggests the following essentials:  graham crackers, tubs of white frosting (you'll need glue of some sort!), and lots of decorations such as M&Ms, jelly beans, chocolate chips, Tootsie Rolls, gumdrops, Life Savers, Tic Tacs, mini marshmallows.  There are a gazillion possibilities!

Lynn also suggests a cookie swap for some baking variety in your home.  I've always thought that was a great idea!  I may have to do that some time...

Lynn also suggests to start thinking about inexpensive gifts for babysitters, teachers, neighbors, etc.  Hand made gifts are great and I personally think consumable gifts are the best.  Jams, jellies, cookies, breads, treats, soaps, bath salts, etc. are great!  It's something someone will use...if not the receiver of the gift then certainly someone in their home. 


Lynn shares a few reminders of things that need to be done and soon!

*Mail Christmas packages (I've got a few to mail out but it won't be until some time next week!  Aaahh!!)

*Put card writing into high gear (Mine are done!  woo hoo!)

*Wrap gifts as you purchase them. Save receipts in one place.  (I've got a lot of shopping done, but none wrapped.  I need to get on that soon!  Or I'll end up being a night owl a few days before Christmas...we don't want that!)

*Make wrapping paper.  Use brown paper bags, old Christmas cards, etc.  (I buy wrap after Christmas for the following year...it saves my sanity. Although I do need I bit more, I think... "Oh brown paper bags!!")

*Wrap gifts with oversized artwork your kids may have made at school.  (There ya go!  I'll do that!  Cha-ching!)

*Start Advent wreaths or calendars.  (My tutorial is HERE and they are for sale HERE... just sayin' *wink*)

*Buy extra nylons if you're attending any dress-up holiday parties.  (Tights for your little girls, too!)

*Make sure the kiddos have appropriate clothes for whatever outings you have planned.  (If everyone but little Lucy has a Christmas shirt but her she'll feel a little left out...better make a list and check it twice!)

*Plan Christmas menus.  (I plan on posting my December menu here soon...and a Christmas menu post, too!)

*Get kids to help decorate.  (This year I only had a few helpers...the youngest three.  As you can imagine they weren't super helpful but they had fun and we got a few things done together.)

Enjoy the next month or so of activities...

soak it all in and enjoy it with your family like it was your 

first and your last Christmas. 

- - -

"So Jesus said to the twelve, 'You do not want to go away also, do you?' 

Simon Peter answered Him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.

We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.'"  

John 6:67-69

Old House Pancake Mix

I have this yummy morning staple for sale (made fresh to order) over at Old House Mercantile.  I thought I'd share the recipe.  I keep a large jar on the counter with a label for the mix recipe on the back side and a label for the actual pancakes on the front side.

Mix:

2 1/2 cups flour

4 tsp. baking powder

4 T. sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

Pancakes:

3 cups mix

2 eggs

2 T. butter (melted)

2 cups milk

I mix up 4 batches of mix at a time and put in a jar on the counter.  That way I can just scoop out what I need for each breakfast.  One batch is enough for our kiddos since it makes between 18-24  4" pancakes.  Sometimes we add in blueberries, too!

I try to rotate breakfasts.  Usually Mondays, and Thursdays are pancake mornings. Wednesdays are always cereal days since it's a busy day for us.  Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays are muffins or baked oatmeal.  Sometimes Sundays are coffee cake. 


Here are links to the recipes that I use. 
Coffee Cake recipe HERE
Bananaberry Muffin recipe HERE
Baked Oatmeal recipe HERE

Take a Tour with Gooseberry Patch

I thought I'd send you over to Gooseberry Patch today where they once again show me some linky love.
Go HERE to take a tour of some wonderful blogs that have been on Featured Friday.  You'll find some great recipes, crafts, and decorating ideas.

My Favorite Things Series -- Christmas Music

I know...Thanksgiving's not here yet.  Well if you want to be prepared you have to plan ahead.  I'm helping you out that way! 

Several of them are old...but when I find something I like I stick to it!  Here are my favorite cd's...in no particular order.

















(Don't judge! LOL)

Queen of the Castle: Week 47

Like I said Monday, I am squeezing in three weeks of QOTC posts for your Thanksgiving benefit this week.  I'm nice like that.  *wink*

Week 47 is simply titled "Thanksgiving, Part 1".  (Part 2 will post tomorrow.) Lynn begins by sharing advice from Julia Child..."If you are not an old campaigner, do not plan more than one long or complicated recipe for a meal or you will wear yourself out and derive no pleasure from your efforts."  Great advice!  I posted my Thanksgiving menu plan HERE and it is definitely more simple than not.

Lynn shares a great reminder that "Thanksgiving is not a competition.  It's a time to gather with family we love and give thanks to our Father, who is the giver of all good gifts.  A Father who loves me no matter what -- even if I use store-bought pie crust."  (I don't use store-bought (I share my recipe HERE) but that doesn't mean you can't...whatever works for your family!  Remember I told you in the menu plan post that I'll probably make Pillsbury cinnamon rolls for breakfast?  That works for us...)

We're not hosting anyone in particular for Thanksgiving.  It'll be just my husband, my mom, our kiddos and myself.  Of course we always make room for any last minute guests.  We may have the kiddos' piano teacher over since he just lost his sister and I'm not sure he'll be going anywhere.  Be flexible...that's my point.  Either way get the china out a day or two before and make sure it's all clean and your serving bowls and relish trays are ready.  Our kiddos think it's fun that even though it's just the ten of us we still make it a special day.

Lynn shares three quick ideas to fancy up your table:

*Look for chocolate turkey lollipops or something else that's fun to place next to each person's silverware. 

*Hand your kids a packet of photograph "doubles", have them cut out the heads of the guests who are coming for dinner, then glue the heads onto cardboard to make holiday place cards.  If they're feeling especially silly (and if family members are silly enough to appreciate it), have them attach heads to bodies of people and animals cut from old magazines -- the wilder, the better. (From Sarah Ban Breathnach's Mrs. Sharp's Traditions)

*Try folding napkins.  Martha has three easy napkin folds HERE and a cute but more advanced turkey napkin fold HERE.  (We will be using fun paper ones that day, however.  I know my limits!  *smile*)

- - -

"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks through Him to God the Father."  Colossians 3:17

Pilgrim Hats!

I joke a lot about not being anything  like Martha, but I really like her.  I know some people don't care for her but she (and her gazillion member staff) have a lot of great ideas!  I got this in my inbox just now and thought ya'll might like it! 

Go HERE for the how-to.

Photo from MARTHASTEWART.COM

Last Day for the Sale

I've written so much about this time management program ya'll are probably sick of it.  But I really feel the need to spread the word.  Amy, the author, wants to encourage all of us to use our God-given days wisely.  Since reading this plan it has helped me to see where I'm wasting time in my day and where I'm using it for the best.  You wouldn't believe all the things we as a family have accomplished since I've implemented this program.  And I'm not talking just work that has been accomplished.  We've found time for other fun things as well without stressing and squeezing them into our day. 

If you want to get a jump start before the holidays come you are going to want to order this now.  It's about a 20 minutes read and there are a few worksheets with instructions that help you along the way.  The sale price is $7.  After today (FIRST THING TOMORROW) it goes back to the regular prices of $9.  So snag it today while you can!

To order go to the side bar at the right and click on the smaller box that looks like this one.  

You won't be sorry!

Time Management

If you missed the sale on the Tell Your Time e-book don't fret.  It's still a great deal...$7.  So...click on the side link and enter the code InTheClub.   

I'm implementing her plan and looking forward to making the most of the hours in my day!

 

My Favorite Things Series -- Kitchen Lovelies

Since Christmastime is comin' I thought I'd share with you each week a few of my favorite things.  Not just kitchen goodies but lovely things in general. Things that I think you might enjoy.

Now I have to add that I have Amazon links here for you to click on them to get to the exact product.  Can I ask of ya'll a favor?  If you are going to do any Amazon.com shopping at all this holiday season, would you mind getting to their website through me?  Just click on any item I have linked to Amazon.com and then go shopping (an easy way is to click on a cookbook I have in the side box).  I get a commission on products that you purchase through my link.  It's a small amount but it all adds up for our family.  Thanks a bunch!

Today we'll start with my favorite kitchen gadgets, gizmos, and decor.

When it comes to whipping up a meal my KitchenAid mixer is my go-to tool.   Whether it's whipping up cake mix or mixing bread dough, this mixer is tough as nails and will not disappoint!

Another favorite in the kitchen is my RCA under cabinet AM/FM radio and CD player.  It also has a clock and a timer!  I love it!  It's nice to play some soft music when I'm the only one up and working in the kitchen in the morning.

Speaking of soft music. This is one of my favorite CD's to listen to on those quiet mornings in the kitchen.  I love listening to Fernando Ortega! I have to admit that all the songs on this album are favorites!  I couldn't choose just one to share! 

On quiet Christmastime mornings I love listening to instrumental music and I found one particular pianist's album particularly delightful.  Beautiful soft music!  

I love my Black & Decker Spacemaker Toaster Oven!  When you have something small to reheat and you don't want it soggy from the microwave or it's not large enough to heat up the big oven then this is your gadget!  Some mornings we have four slices of bagels in the regular toaster and then four in the toaster oven.  It makes the toasting process a lot quicker!  Especially since I don't like waiting for the big oven to heat up.

I'm linking to this new cookbook that I just adore!  If you're looking for a great cookbook to give as a gift then Gooseberry Patch "Homemade Harvest"  is the way to go!  For the review I wrote click HERE.

I love this "Farmhouse Christmas" Goosberry Patch cookbook!  It's full of delicious home cooked meals that will warm the bellies of your family breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and then some!

We use this little chopper gizmo to chop black olives, onions, tomatoes, green peppers, and nuts.  It's great you don't get your fingers in the way so there is no blade to worry about.  I love it that any of my kiddos can use it to help out in the kitchen!  Watch another bonus is you can put the items you want to chop in the cover on the bottom of it and chop away.  No need for a cutting board!

Speaking of cutting boards.  I love this type of cutting board!  We have a large one like this and a small one.  They are great.  Wood types soak up bacteria.  Glass types dull the blade of the knives.This is poly cutting board has a groove to trap the juices so you don't make a mess (well, as much of one, anyway!).

I have to admit.  I don't actually own this particular Pyrex set.  I have a few of these pieces and I love them!  This set is actually on my wish-list.  ; )   Did I tell you I love these?  You can bake in them, then (once cooled) put the lid on and store in the fridge.  You can also put these in the freezer. (Before I put the lid on and put it in the freezer I put a layer of plastic wrap on top of the food in it so there's no air touching.) Then you can defrost or warm up food in them in the microwave (lid slightly ajar, of course).  I like that they are glass and not plastic and therefore you won't get any chemicals on your food.  Love them!!

Another confession...I don't own these beautiful jars but I sooo wish I did!  I have some cheaper jars that I keep my flour and sugar in (they are a pain, though, since the lids screw on...sigh).  But...aren't these ADORABLE?

- - -

Well that's about it for today!  Thanks for peeking at my favorite things in the kitchen!  Next time I'll share my favorite crafty things!  I am looking forward to sharing my favorites in that department! There are sooo many!  ; )

Until next time...

Off Galavantin' Again...

I'm over at Raising Homemaker's today!  Come visit! 

NEW 2011 Motivated Mom's Planner!!!

The new Motivated Mom's 2011 planner is available NOW! It's only $8... for an entire year's worth of planner...a great deal in my eyes!  Go HERE to order!  You can also try the last 3 months of 2010 for only $2.

You have a variety of options for ordering...8 1/2 x 11...w/ Scripture Reading...1/2 size...1/2 size w/ Scripture Reading...Page per Day...1/2 size Page per Day...Page per Day w/ Scripture...1/2 size Page per Day w/ Scripture!  Lot's of options!!

CHRISTMAS MUSIC!

Yes, I said Christmas music!  If you have been following us on Facebook or if you know me in person you know that I love October 1st!  Not only is October my favorite month (I love fall, my birthday's the 8th, I love fall...oops did I already say that?) but Oct. 1st is when I start playing Christmas music.  Someone on Facebook mentioned they needed some ideas for instrumental so I thought I'd share with you my favorite!  It's a great blend of dulcimer, fiddle, mandolin, acoustic guitar...the perfect mix!  Some of my favorite songs are O Come All Ye Faithful, Go Tell it on the Mountain, Hark the Herald Angels Sing!  You'll love it!  Christmas on the Mountain by Craig Duncan!  Go check it out! 

Out Galavantin'...again!

Today you'll find me sharing my Ollie Kookin recipe over at Raising Homemakers!  See you there!

Big Oven: A Tutorial

I have been promising this for a long time.  I'm finally going to make good on my word!  I'm going to show you how to "do" BigOven for your recipes.

Ready?  Hang on!

First you need to order Big Oven.  If you wouldn't mind ordering it by clicking on the words "BigOven" over at the side bar...it's burgundy/red-ish.  Thank you!, that would be great!  I am an affiliate and I get a little cash-esh for you precious souls buying it.  There...shameless plug done.  Phew!

Anywho...pull up BO on the computer. Should I call it BO?  That always meant "body odor" when I was a kid...hmmm.  Nope, can't do it.  I'll just have to type it out.  O.K. ... pull up BigOven on the computer.

Click the "New" button.

Type in the information:  title, serving size and anything else you want to remember.
Then click OK.
Next you are going to have a mostly blank screen to start with.  It will look like this:

Here you will enter your recipe information. Now a great thing here is that you can enter recipes that are on the computer somewhere else...like, say... on my blog!  ; )  You can import them.  Here's how:
Click on Edit and scroll down to Screen Import.

Another window will pop up.  You will then go to the site on the computer where the recipe is.  Copy and Paste the recipe here in the window...like so:

Next highlight the title and click "Recipe Title".  It will turn one color.  Highlight the ingredients and click "Ingredients" and it will turn another color.  Then highlight the instructions and click "Instructions" like the picture below and it will turn another color.  (You have the option to add notes and serving sizes, too.)

Next click on the "Import" button (near the bottom of that column) and then voila!  It's there on your recipe card. (You can also make new recipe boxes in your program!)

You can also size the recipe down or increase it.  This will come in handy if you import one of my huge casserole recipes and you don't happen to have a ginormous family.  Tell it how many servings you want and it'll calculate it for you!

Just click on the button that my red arrow is pointing to (in the image above) and that little box will pop up.  Type in how many servings you want.  Here I changed it from 24 to 12 and it shows you the scaled down amounts.

Then even better is that you can make your menu from your recipe cards in the program!
What you do is go to "View" and click "Meal Calendar".  You have the option to plan for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even snacks.  You click the day you want to plan for and drag and drop a meal to the category.  For the sake of time I'm going to plan only dinners.

 You'll see that I highlighted the day on the calendar. I then drug the particular dish to the box and up popped the question of serving size.  When you type in your recipe you need to add the serving size. (I just guess and say 10 or 12 since we have a large gang.)  You can change it for the day like if you were going to have another family over and needed to make a larger casserole.  It would then increase or decrease the amount needed.
Then you click on "Print" and it will bring up a printable menu that's neat and tidy and can be hung on the fridge! Again, for the sake of time the menu is only for one week here. 

But wait!  There's one more thing!  You can even print out a grocery list from your menu!  And it'll condense the amounts you need!  Say you need a cup of milk for one dish, two for another, and 1/4 for this dessert, and then 3/4 for that one...it'll tell you in the list that you need 4 cups of milk!  Now I know that is simple math, but think of how easy it would make it for spices.  No more wondering if you'll have enough!
It looks a little like so:

  
I know some of you may think it's a lot of work, and it is in the beginning if you're typing in all new recipes.  But if you are like me and have a bunch already on the computer or find some on the internet (say a food blog that you just adore!  hint, hint *wink*) then you will be all set.  It's super easy.  And it's not super expensive, either!  It's only $29.95. 


If you have any questions please post them here because other folks may want to ask that same question.  I'll try to answer them the best I can!

Out Galavantin' Again...

Kitchen Tip Tuesday will return next week.  

Today ya'll will find me over at Raising Homemakers.  

See you there!